10:31 PM • 8822 viewsDecember 4, 02:10 PM • 29344 viewsHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will meet with French President Macron in Paris ahead of Hungary's EU presidency amid tensions over support for Ukraine and migration policy.
Ursula von der Leyen, Kaya Callas and Antonio Costa were nominated for top positions in the EU after an agreement between EU leaders representing the bloc's three main political groups.
The European Council meeting will start with an exchange of views with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which will provide an opportunity to discuss the situation on the ground and welcome Ukraine's path to European membership.
Ukraine is confidently moving towards full membership in the European Union with projected accession dates until 2030, according to the forecast of the president of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The European Union has opened negotiations on Ukraine's accession, and although we still have a lot of work to do on the way to joining, the Ukrainian side is ready for it, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.
Six EU leaders agreed that Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaya Callas should receive leadership positions in the European Commission, the European Council and the foreign policy service, respectively.
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.
Kuleba discussed with the Polish Foreign Minister providing greater opportunities for Ukraine's air defense and strengthening security in the entire region.
EU leaders failed to agree on candidates for key EU positions, including Ursula von der Leyen's second term as president of the European Commission.
Iraq and Jordan withdrew their signatures from the joint communiqué of the Global Peace Summit, bringing the document aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine to 78 countries.
President of the European Council Charles Michel said that Ukraine should determine when a dialogue with Russia is possible, but it should be based on international law and the UN Charter.
Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is being considered for the post of Europe's top diplomat and head of the European Commission's Foreign and Security Policy Service, according to reports citing European diplomatic sources.
The EU notes a rapidly emerging consensus on preferred names for top EU leadership positions: naming Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission, António Costa as president of the European Council, Roberta Metsola as head of the European Parliament and Kaja Kallas as head of EU diplomacy.
Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Germany to attend a conference on Ukraine's reconstruction, hold talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on defense support, air defense, joint arms production, and coordinate positions ahead of future summits.
Ursula von der Leyen, the current president of the European Commission, is the main candidate to be re-elected to the post on July 18 after being officially nominated by EU leaders.
The EU Council adopted a resolution on the introduction of increased duties on grain, oilseeds and processed products imported from Russia and Belarus to prevent destabilization of the EU grain market and Russian exports of illegally appropriated Ukrainian grain.
The EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) will train 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of summer 2024, expanding training to maritime and air, and the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine (EUAM) will increase support for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in the liberated territories and related reforms.
The European Union emphasizes the critical importance of accelerated deliveries of military equipment, including ammunition, missiles, air defense, artillery and drones, to meet Ukraine's urgent needs, and welcomes progress on the implementation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund and on the potential use of Russia's immobilized assets.
The EU intends to sign security commitments with Ukraine by the end of June to ensure long-term support for Ukraine's defense capabilities and deterrence against future aggression.
President Zelenskyy discussed with President of the European Council Charles Michel preparations for the Peace Summit to achieve a just peace.
President of the European Council Charles Michel discussed with President Zelenskyy the latest developments in Ukraine and preparations for the peace conference in Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of global participation in the summit.
The EU is seeking to assume greater responsibility for security and defense, including creating an internal defense market, expanding production capacity, promoting joint procurement, and funding major European flagship projects such as the EU air defense shield and improving cybersecurity.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials were killed in a tragic helicopter crash. The EU countries expressed their condolences, among others.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, supported the decision of Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili to veto the controversial law on "foreign agents," calling it an opportunity to ensure that Georgia remains on the European path that its population supports.
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.
During his trip from Copenhagen, Andriy Yermak met with EU leaders in Brussels to discuss the Ukrainian formula for peace, the upcoming Global Summit and rallying international support for Ukraine.
The adoption of Georgia's controversial law on "foreign agents" negatively affects its progress towards EU accession, and the authorities should withdraw the law and implement the necessary reforms outlined in the EU's 9 steps.
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 has expanded the scope of possible sanctions against Iran to include not only those involved in the UAV program, but also anyone who helps Tehran produce missiles.
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.
