European Parliament

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 1963 UAH/USD, which devalued the hryvnia by 1 kopeck. On the interbank market, the dollar is traded at UAH 41.14-41.19, the euro at UAH 44.94-44.98.

The European Parliament's Committee on Trade has supported a €35 billion financial assistance package for Ukraine. This is the EU's contribution to the G7 initiative to support Ukraine with $50 billion to meet its urgent needs.

A train carrying members of the European Parliament was evacuated in Strasbourg after an unexplained explosion, probably in the locomotive. Train traffic was suspended due to smoke coming out of the train.

EU member states have agreed on a plan to lend 35bn euros to Ukraine using frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia as collateral. This is part of a wider G7 initiative to provide Kiev with 45bn euros in aid.

The President of the European Commission accused the Hungarian prime minister of flirting with Putin and allowing foreign interference. She also criticized his policies on migration and the EU single market.

Members of the European Parliament approved the allocation of more than €1 billion from the EU Solidarity Fund for 5 countries affected by floods in 2023. Slovenia, Italy and Greece will receive the largest amounts.

The leader of the French far-right National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, and 26 other suspects will be tried for misusing EU funds. They face fines and imprisonment.

Austria is holding parliamentary elections. The right-wing radical AfD, which criticizes aid to Ukraine, and the current chancellor's AfP, which supports Kyiv, but more moderately than other EU countries, are in the running.

The USA and the EU have almost reached an agreement on a $50bn aid package for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. The US is ready to contribute $20bn if the EU changes the sanctions regime against Russia.

The Kremlin realizes that nuclear threats are losing their effectiveness. Putin is considering “more subtle” options for responding to Western support for Ukraine, avoiding direct escalation.

Ursula von der Leyen announces a €35 billion loan to Ukraine secured by frozen Russian assets. The EU decided to move forward with a smaller loan without US participation due to disagreements over the revision of sanctions.

The UN's constant calls for peace did not prevent Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which became the bloodiest military conflict in Europe since World War II.

The European Parliament proposes to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against military targets in Russia. The resolution calls on EU countries to allow Ukraine to strike legitimate targets in Russia.

Tomorrow, the European Parliament will consider a resolution to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons to strike Russia. Stoltenberg supported the discussion of this issue, but the decision should be made by individual allies.

Viktor Orban has created a new far-right group in the European Parliament, strengthening his influence. This could undermine EU unity on key issues, especially support for Ukraine.

70 MEPs sign a letter calling for the suspension of Hungary's participation in the Schengen area due to the easing of visa rules for Russians and Belarusians. They demand an investigation and possible expulsion of Hungary from the Schengen zone.

The EU demands that Hungary explain its decision to ease visa rules for citizens of Russia and Belarus. EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson expressed concern about potential espionage and security risks for the bloc.

Hungary has informed the EU of the end of its 'peace mission' in Ukraine after criticism from the Union. However, European capitals doubt the sincerity of this statement and do not rule out a possible resumption of the 'mission' by Orban.

The European People's Party calls on the EU to take urgent action over Hungary's decision to ease visa restrictions for Russians. This creates security risks and may allow Russians to circumvent restrictions in the Schengen area.

European Parliament President Josep Borrell condemned the rocket attack on the Golan Heights. The attack from Lebanon killed at least 12 young people and injured nearly 20 others.

The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented her plans for the next 5 years and called on the European Parliament to approve her for a second term. She outlined the goal of building a strong Europe, ready for any challenges.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planning a surprise visit to Belgrade on Friday to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on lithium imports, essential for the EU's digital and green transition.

Russian occupiers killed two Ukrainian teenagers, Tigran Ohanesyan and Mykyta Khanganov, in Berdiansk last year and now refuse to return their bodies to their parents or the Ukrainian side, planning instead to bury them secretly.

Roberta Mecola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament for another two and a half years until 2027, receiving 562 votes in the first round.

According to a study by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, more than half of Ukrainians do not feel a strong sense of belonging to the European community, although younger and better educated people tend to identify themselves more as Europeans.

French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected illegal financing of Marine Le Pen's 2022 presidential campaign.

According to a report by Finnish analysts, TikTok search results during the European election campaign contained discriminatory and xenophobic content against women, minorities, and marginalized groups, which contributed to the spread of harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

In France, the second round of parliamentary elections is underway, in which the far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen is projected to win about 37% of the vote, outpacing President Macron's center-left coalition.

Far-right Dutch and Spanish parties are planning to join Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's new right-wing alliance in the European Parliament, potentially undermining Italian Prime Minister Meloni's power.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the SPD party headquarters in Dresden, Germany, a few weeks before the state elections in Saxony: bullet holes were found in the windows on the third floor.