European Commission

EU leaders will discuss the appointment of a special representative to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. The summit on March 6 will also consider a plan to finance the defense industry for hundreds of billions of euros.

Semen Khanin stated that The High Anti-Corruption Court is leveling the legal assistance to defense lawyers and human rights. Investigating judges ignore the evidence of the defense and consider every suspicion to be justified even if there is an alibi.

The European Union is developing the largest regional security initiative since the Cold War. The plan includes hundreds of billions of euros for defense and consists of three key funding elements.

European officials are developing proposals to create a special defense fund to increase military investment. They are considering a “rearmament bank” and a special targeted instrument with a budget of 500 billion euros.

Donald Trump announced the introduction of 25% tariffs on imports from the EU, including cars. The US President accused the EU of creating a bloc to “rob” the United States.

Ursula von der Leyen plans to discuss sanctions against Russia with the Indian Prime Minister. The EU is seeking to strengthen control over the implementation of restrictions, as Russian aggression threatens both Europe and India.

UKASKO representatives took part in meetings with European officials and financial institutions in Brussels. The delegation discussed digital transformation and the implementation of insurtech solutions in the financial sector.

Polish Prime Minister Tusk and European Council President Costa discuss ending the war in Ukraine. An extraordinary meeting of the EU on March 6 will consider assistance to Ukraine and strengthening European security.

The European Commission has denied the existence of a new proposal on critical minerals for Ukraine, recalling the existing memorandum of 2021. This denial followed reports of possible competition with the United States for Ukrainian resources.

The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's needs for recovery and reconstruction at $524 billion by 2034. The housing sector, transport, and energy were the most affected, with direct losses of $176 billion.

The EU has offered Ukraine a deal on critical minerals, competing with the US offer. Trump demands mineral rights in exchange for $500 billion in compensation for support.

European Commissioner Martha Kos expects three clusters of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU to open in the first half of 2024. The European Commission also offers Ukraine to join the EU's internal energy market by April 27.

According to recent estimates, rebuilding Ukraine will cost about 500 billion euros. Ukraine offers Europe strategic cooperation in energy, critical materials and technology.

Ukraine's Prime Minister urged the EU to speed up negotiations on all six integration clusters. Hungary has blocked negotiations on the first cluster, demanding additional conditions for the protection of minorities.

The President of the European Commission said that sanctions have a huge impact on the Russian economy. Their lifting is possible only after concrete steps on the part of Russia.

The President of the European Commission stated that the provision of weapons to Ukraine will be at the center of the EU's attention in the coming weeks. The EU and its member countries have already provided support amounting to 145 billion euros.

António Costa convenes a special meeting of the European Council to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe's defense. The EU is ready to increase financial and military support for Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen announced €3. 5 billion in aid to Ukraine in March. This brings the total support from the EU and its member states to €134 billion.

European leaders make parallel visits to the United States and Ukraine to preserve the Western alliance. The EU delegation is preparing a €20 billion military aid package for Ukraine, and Macron will discuss relations with Russia with Trump.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 59 UAH/USD, which is 14 kopecks stronger. The euro exchange rate was set at 43.50 UAH/euro.

The presidents of Lithuania and Latvia, the prime ministers of Estonia, Spain, and Canada, as well as EU leaders arrived in Kyiv on February 24. They were met at the train station by Andriy Yermak and Andriy Sybiga.

The President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council arrived in Kyiv by train on February 24. They were met by representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Foreign Ministry, and Ukrzaliznytsia to discuss Ukraine's security and future.

Macron held talks with key European leaders to ensure a just peace in Ukraine. The politicians also agreed to strengthen the security of Europeans “during all future negotiations.

The agriculture ministers of Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia have called on the European Commission to return to pre-war quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products. They also demanded that Ukraine comply with EU standards.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has uncovered irregularities in the procurement of generators for Ukraine through the Polish side. It also found evidence of overpricing and unjustified preferences for certain contractors.

Prime Minister Shmyhal confirmed the attraction of $38. 4 billion in financing from European partners in 2025. Ukraine cooperates with the IMF, the European Commission, the World Bank, and other financial institutions.

The EU is studying options for confiscating frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The use of assets as collateral through the International Claims Commission is being considered.

On February 22, the world celebrates the International Day in Support of Victims of Crime and the European Equal Pay Day. This day is also the Day of Modesty and World Encephalitis Day.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine had a phone conversation with the Vice-President of the European Commission on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The parties discussed military support for Ukraine and ensuring peace in Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will arrive in Kyiv on February 24 for a joint meeting with the Ukrainian government. The meeting will be attended by European commissioners to express support for Ukraine after three years of war.