European Parliament

MEP Rihards Kols stated that the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, are destroying Europe from within. He expressed disappointment with Europe's stance and hope for changes in Hungary after the upcoming elections.

On August 23, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the State Flag and Kharkiv City Day. Also today is International Blind Dog Day, European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, and International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

The EU and the US have approved a framework trade agreement. A 15% tax will apply to almost all European goods going to the US, while Europe will abolish import tariffs on American products and purchase chips, energy carriers, and military equipment.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk held a series of conversations with the heads of almost thirty national parliaments and the President of the European Parliament. They agreed on the coordination of actions at the inter-parliamentary level, discussing common principles and the future of Ukraine.

Western sanctions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine are increasing the isolation of Kaliningrad, which has no land connection with Russia. This has led to overloaded sea routes and problems for small businesses in the region.

The European Parliament is considering proposals to accelerate the EU's abandonment of Russian gas to January 2027, a year earlier than the European Commission's initial plan. Lawmakers propose obliging governments to impose sanctions on companies that violate the ban.

EU ambassadors have agreed to use the €392 billion cohesion fund for defense-related projects, which accounts for approximately one-third of the EU's 2021–2027 budget. This decision allows EU countries to use regional funds to support the defense industry and modernize infrastructure.

The July cover of TIME magazine, titled "Kidnapping," is dedicated to abducted Ukrainian children, which has become a global moral challenge. According to official data, Russia forcibly removed approximately 35,000 children, and the true number may reach up to 700,000.

The European Parliament stated that Georgia will not be able to join the EU until the government changes its authoritarian course. The path to membership is suspended until fair elections are held.

German politicians have called on the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution to put the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance party under surveillance. The reason for this was the party's actions, which include defending a pro-Russian propagandist and supporting an organization suspected of financing terrorism.

The German government expressed disagreement with the European Commission's proposal for the EU budget, which included €100 billion in aid to Ukraine. Berlin considers an increase in the budget unacceptable when member states are consolidating their own budgets.

The Verkhovna Rada ratified the agreement on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This tribunal is the first international judicial body since World War II that will investigate crimes of aggression.

The Main Scientific and Expert Department of the VRU criticized the revised draft law on regulating the activities of the Deposit Guarantee Fund. The document poses a threat to legal certainty and the protection of the rights of depositors, creditors, and shareholders of banks.

Andriy Kolomiiets, convicted by the Russian Federation in 2015, has returned to Ukraine. He was deported to Georgia after serving a 10-year prison sentence.

The fifth president of Ukraine, People's Deputy Petro Poroshenko, is using for his own PR the repair of a rural road in Vinnytsia Oblast, which was done at the expense of the budget.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen successfully survived a no-confidence vote initiated by the far-right in the European Parliament. 360 MEPs voted against the resolution, 175 voted for, allowing her to retain her position.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for the resignation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and rejected Brussels' economic recommendations regarding fiscal policy. The Hungarian government refused the EC's demands for permanent fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit, citing national priorities.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Russia's war crimes in Ukraine and supporting the investigation by the International Criminal Court. MEPs emphasized that Russia is responsible for the war of aggression and violations of international law.

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has filed a complaint with the ECHR, challenging a court decision to bar her from the elections. This happened amid a European Public Prosecutor's Office investigation into the misuse of EU funds by the far-right group.

The European Parliament has finally approved the gradual deployment of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at the EU's external borders. The system will register biometric data of third-country nationals to enhance security and speed up border control.

Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated that the start of Ukraine's EU accession talks does not require unanimous support from all 27 member states. Hungary's blocking has pushed the EU to seek legal solutions for continuing European integration.

Negotiations on the €1. 5 billion EU Defense Industry Program (EDIP) depend on funding for non-European companies. The European Parliament opposes exceptions for arms manufacturers outside the EU, aiming to build up the European defense sector.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will face a no-confidence vote on July 10. The initiative from the Romanian far-right party AUR has gathered almost 80 signatures.

Budapest hosted its largest LGBTQ+ Pride in 30 years, gathering 200,000 participants despite the Orbán government's ban. The Mayor of Budapest and the Deputy Prime Minister of Spain led the demonstration, while the European Parliament emphasized support for European values.

Budapest is set to host Pride. A record number of participants are expected to protest the Hungarian government's restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights.

On June 28, Ukraine celebrates Constitution Day, adopted in 1996. On the same day, the world celebrates International Milk Chocolate Day and other events.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov considers the suspicion of abuse of office and receiving a bribe to be unfounded. He explains his frequent foreign trips by the need to cooperate with foreign governments and Ukrainians abroad.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces a vote of no confidence over "Pfizergate" and other accusations. Far-right MEPs are trying to initiate a vote, but the chances of success are low due to the need for majority support.

The European Commission has presented the EU Space Law, aimed at improving the competitiveness of the European space sector, its security and sustainable development. The document unifies space regulations and aims to reduce bureaucracy.

The European Parliament is considering banning airlines from charging for hand luggage weighing up to 7 kilograms. This initiative aims to standardize baggage rules and improve passenger rights.