European Council
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.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk calls on protesting Polish farmers to stop blocking the Ukrainian border.
According to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, 300 billion euros of European savings are transferred abroad, mainly to the United States, every year due to the fragmentation of the EU's capital markets and financial system.
The European Council strongly condemned Russia's air and missile attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, emphasized the urgent need to ensure Ukraine's air defense, and called for the accelerated and intensified provision of all necessary military assistance, including artillery ammunition and missiles.
President Zelenskyy called on European partners to increase the production and supply of weapons to Ukraine to strengthen its defense against Russian aggression, emphasizing the need for determination and financial support for Ukraine's defense, recovery and social stability.
Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into a Moscow-funded influence network in the European Parliament that paid MEPs to promote the Russian agenda. The network was uncovered by Czech and Polish intelligence agencies on the eve of the European Parliament elections.
The Three Seas Initiative summit adopted a joint declaration expressing a commitment to a more resilient Europe, a stronger transatlantic partnership, and unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
The European Parliament refuses to "release" the budget of the EU Council until a decision is made to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missile defense systems.