European Council
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.
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.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine expects the negotiation framework to be approved and the actual start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union in June, marking the next stage of rapprochement with the EU.
President Zelenskyy invited several other world leaders to the Global Peace Summit in Sweden. In particular, the head of state has invited the presidents of Moldova and the Czech Republic to join the conference.
President of the European Council Charles Michel confirmed his participation in the Global Peace Summit to be held in June during a telephone conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and called on all world leaders to support Ukraine's peace efforts.
Today, on May 9, Ukraine, along with all the countries of the European Union, celebrates Europe Day. The event was launched in 1985 during a meeting of the European Council in Milan.
The participation of several EU diplomats in Putin's inauguration in Moscow does not contradict the EU's agreed position on continuing to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal aggression, an EU spokesman said.
The Prime Minister of Georgia accused the former US ambassador of fomenting a revolution in the country in 2020-2023.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili discussed with European Council President Charles Michel the controversial draft law on foreign agents and Georgia's European integration path amid ongoing protests.
In April, Ukraine did not suspend human rights protection, but partially lifted the restrictions that had been applied earlier, according to the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
In April 2024, Ukraine did not suspend the protection of rights, but withdrew reservations on the restriction of a certain set of rights, clarifying existing restrictions and reducing them, within the framework of its international obligations.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the US decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine demonstrates the common commitment of the EU and Washington to support a free and independent Ukraine integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hopes that today's meeting of EU foreign ministers will lead to concrete steps to support Ukraine, as the bloc is working daily to analyze the situation and prepare solutions to help Kyiv.
The European Union has allocated 143 billion euros ($150 billion) in aid to Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel said.