European Commission
Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland call on the EU to increase military spending to 3% of GDP. The countries propose to use joint borrowing and allocate 50 billion euros for the production of artillery.
European officials are discussing the possibility of resuming imports of Russian pipeline gas as part of a peace settlement. Germany and Hungary support the initiative to reduce energy prices.
The European Commission plans to cut administrative costs for companies by 25% and for small businesses by 35%. The plan is aimed at stimulating innovation and increasing competitiveness with China and the United States.
The 16th EU sanctions package against Russia will not include a complete ban on Russian LNG imports. The package will include restrictions on shadow fleet tankers, aluminum, and gaming equipment.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatens to block EU aid to Ukraine if Russian gas transit does not resume. He called President Zelenskyy an “enemy” and accused him of creating problems for Slovakia.
Tesla is challenging in court the EU's anti-subsidy duty of up to 7. 8% on imports of electric vehicles from China. The company joined BMW and Chinese manufacturers who have also filed lawsuits against the new tariffs.
A representative of the American Chamber of Commerce commented on the Ministry of Health's proposals for changes in the regulation of the pharmaceutical market. He described the specifics of drug regulation in the EU and called for a balanced approach in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the release of an American citizen from a Belarusian prison. The details of Anastasia Nufer's detention are unknown, and her name has not been mentioned publicly before.
Slovakia's prime minister criticized Zelenskyy's comment about the protests in Bratislava as interference in internal affairs. The Ukrainian president had earlier written “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe.
The EU will not include a ban on Russian LNG imports in the new sanctions package. Instead, it will present a roadmap for a gradual phase-out of Russian energy by 2027.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russian historical falsifications and disinformation to justify the war. 480 deputies supported the document on countering Russian propaganda and protecting the media space.
Europe has reduced gas imports from Russia by 75%, oil by 3%, and coal by zero. In February, the EU will present a clean energy development plan to reduce prices and increase energy independence.
Donald Trump officially took office as President of the United States on January 20, 2025. The leaders of Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, NATO, and Finland have sent congratulations and expressed their willingness to cooperate.
Facebook, X, YouTube, and other tech companies have joined the EU's updated code of conduct on combating hate speech. The companies pledged to respond to complaints faster and implement automatic tools to detect harmful content.
Today is the inauguration of Donald Trump, after which he plans to sign about 100 executive orders. The EU is preparing for potential changes in trade, climate policy, and its position on Ukraine.
Maia Sandu announced her readiness to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to Transnistria to overcome the energy crisis.
The World Economic Forum is taking place in Davos on January 20-24 with the theme “Cooperation for the Intelligent Age. ” Zelenskyy will deliver a special speech on January 21. The event will be attended by 60 world leaders.
Brussels has asked X to provide information and documentation on recent changes to its algorithms, in accordance with DSA rules. The platform faces a fine of up to 6% of its annual turnover for a possible violation of the content moderation rules.
The Government held a meeting on sectoral cooperation with the EU in 2025. They discussed industrial visa-free travel, integration into the energy market, and the development of TEN-T transport corridors.
For the first time, the European Commission plans to impose sanctions against Russia without taking into account the vetoes of individual countries. Decisions on sanctions will be made by a qualified majority, not unanimously.
The Ukrainian president expects active cooperation with US President-elect Trump in the spirit of “peace through strength. ” Zelenskyy also hopes to strengthen sanctions against Russia and discussed the prospects of Ukraine's accession to the EU.
The President of Ukraine will take part in the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21. The event will also be attended by Donald Trump, Ursula von der Leyen and other world leaders.
Ukraine expects the results of negotiations with the EU on joint customs control this year. It is planned to reconstruct 28 checkpoints and build 6 new ones by 2030.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the creation of a separate European defense alliance would require 8-10% of GDP and 15-20 years. Instead, he promised to deepen cooperation between NATO and the EU.
The European Commission has announced a new humanitarian aid package of 148 million euros. 140 million will go to Ukraine for emergency aid, and 8 million to Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees.
The foreign ministers of the Nordic and Baltic countries have written a letter to the European Commission regarding the reduction of Russian oil prices. A $10 per barrel reduction could cut Russia's military spending by 15%.
Ukraine's President criticized Slovakia's Prime Minister for refusing Ukrainian gas transit assistance. Zelenskyy calls Fico's bet on cooperation with Russia a losing proposition from the start.
Slovakia's prime minister announced guaranteed supplies of 3-3. 5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to the country. If the situation with gas transit through Ukraine does not change, he threatens to suspend aid and veto further support.
Croatia is holding the second round of presidential elections, with incumbent President Zoran Milanovic leading the pack. In the first round, he received 49.1% of the vote against 19.35% for his opponent Dragan Primorc.
Poland's Defense Minister supports the initiative to increase NATO defense spending to 5% of GDP. Warsaw already allocates 4.7% of GDP to defense and calls on other countries to reach this goal within 10 years.