Council of the European Union

Ukraine will work on joining the EU using a new model of cluster approach to accession negotiations, in which several sections will be opened simultaneously, rather than sequentially.

The president of Moldova signed a decree on the start of negotiations on the Republic of Moldova's accession to the European Union.

On June 25, the EU-Ukraine Intergovernmental Conference officially launched negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, followed by detailed technical negotiations on various chapters of the future agreement.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the approval by the EU countries of the negotiation framework on Ukraine's accession, noting that an intergovernmental conference is expected on June 25, which will actually begin the negotiation process.

The EU Council approved the common positions and negotiating framework for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, setting the stage for the start of negotiations on June 25 in Luxembourg.

Companies controlled by Odessa businessmen Serhiy Groza and Vladimir Naumenko, part of the GNT Group agroholding, have been implicated in criminal cases of "gray" exports, international scandals with U. S. lenders and violation of the ban on cooperation with sanctioned companies.

The European Union extended sanctions against Russia in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol until June 23, 2025.

Russia has turned on propaganda on children's TV channels in Europe, including Disney, by interfering with satellite signals and Broadcasting military videos in Russian.

Diplomatic sources say Hungary is threatening to derail the opening of accession negotiations, the media write.

Czech minister for European affairs Martin Dvorak initiated an appeal signed by 12 countries calling for approval of the framework for negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU, noting that their reform efforts deserve support and solidarity.

The EU is considering imposing import duties on Russian goods such as food, nuclear fuel and medicines to reduce Russia's export revenues and use the funds received to support Ukraine in the ongoing war.

The EU has imposed sanctions on 9 more individuals and legal entities from North Korea for supporting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine by providing military assistance and circumventing UN sanctions.

The decision to gradually increase excise taxes on cigarettes to the minimum level in the EU until 2028 was passed by the relevant parliamentary committee, the Verkhovna Rada is recommended to adopt the relevant bill as a basis.

The European Commission has officially completed the rule of law procedure against Poland after almost seven years, saying there is no longer a serious threat to the rule of law in the country.

In Brussels, investigators raided the home and office of an assistant to a member of the European Parliament suspected of playing a significant role in spreading Russian propaganda before the European Parliament elections.

The European Union has introduced new rules for imposing sanctions on those involved in human rights violations in Russia, including restrictions on the export of equipment used for repression and monitoring, and added 19 people to the sanctions list in connection with the death of Alexei Navalny in a Russian prison.

In 2023, Ukraine exported 45,800 tons of honey to the EU, becoming the second largest exporter of honey from outside the EU after China.

About 3 billion euros of seized Russian assets should become available to Ukraine by July, according to the Belgian Foreign Minister.

The EU Council has banned four more Russian media outlets - Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta - from broadcasting in the EU for spreading Russian propaganda and supporting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.

The Council of the European Union has adopted a series of rules reforming the entire asylum system on the continent, with Poland and Hungary voting against the entire package.

The EU Council approves Ukraine's Recovery, Reform and Accession Plan, which allows for the disbursement of up to €50 billion in grants and loans from the Fund to Ukraine, subject to the implementation of agreed reforms and investments by 2027.

The EU Council plans to approve a migration pact containing significant reforms to asylum policies, requiring EU countries to accept thousands of asylum seekers from frontline states or provide resources, and allowing agreements with transit and origin countries to limit the number of incoming migrants.

The EU has approved Ukraine's plan, authorizing the launch of the €50 billion Ukraine Facility program, of which Ukraine has received €1. 89 billion in pre-financing and expects €16 billion in total this year, to strengthen its financial stability amid the war with Russia.

The European Union has approved the extension of the suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports for another year, but has imposed restrictions on imports of certain goods such as eggs, poultry, sugar, oats, corn, cereals and honey from Ukraine to protect the interests of local producers.

The European Council has approved a revision of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy in response to concerns raised by protesting farmers. The document simplifies and reduces the administrative burden on farmers.

EU ambassadors approve €30 million in non-lethal military aid to Georgia from the European Peace Fund.

Since the beginning of 2024, Euroclear, the European depository, has received €1. 6 billion in interest income from more than €200 billion of frozen Russian assets.

The EU Council has approved the first-ever law on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which provides for harsh penalties for perpetrators and comprehensive support for victims across the EU.

Brussels is considering allowing neutral EU countries to opt out of using frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine, while G7 members such as Germany, France and Italy remain cautious due to legal and financial risks.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister calls on EU partners to adopt a negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU in June, citing reforms in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and a competitive market economy.