European Union

Denmark will chair the EU Council from July 1 to December 31, 2025, focusing on supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EU's defense industry and security, and maintaining sanctions against Russia.

Cuts to USAID funding initiated by the Trump administration could cause over 14 million additional deaths by 2030. According to The Lancet, USAID programs have averted 91 million deaths in the past two decades.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced increased cooperation with partners regarding new sanctions against Russia. The goal is synchronized international pressure to counter the protraction of the war.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to terminate the Syria sanctions program to support stability, but restrictions against Bashar al-Assad and other violators have been preserved. Earlier, Switzerland and the EU also lifted some economic sanctions against Syria.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed three decrees, synchronizing EU sanctions against Russia and implementing packages of restrictions against Iran. The sanctions apply to individuals and legal entities from various countries, including the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Iran.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine called on FATF member countries to consider including the Russian Federation in the list of high-risk jurisdictions. He emphasized the significant impact of Russian aggression on global food security.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with the military countermeasures against the increasing number of Russian drones. Ukraine is strengthening its own production of interceptor drones and long-range drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss with European Union leaders additional funding for drone production and joint ventures. A meeting with the military and the Minister of Defense was dedicated to Ukrainian drones and increasing the pace of their production.

The European Commission and Ukraine have reached a principal agreement on the revision of the free trade area, which will facilitate Ukraine's integration into the EU single market. The modernized agreement includes a level playing field, safeguard clauses, and increased trade flows, taking into account the sensitivity of agricultural sectors.

Ukraine received 1. 7 billion dollars from Canada, originating from the income generated by frozen Russian assets. Since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has received 17.6 billion dollars from immovable Russian assets.

Strengthening Ukraine and weakening Russia through sanctions is the only path to peace to prevent the threat of war in Germany and Europe. Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha emphasized that Russia is intensifying terror, not ending the war.

Ukraine has completed all preparatory steps for opening the negotiation cluster regarding EU accession. Working groups are determining the date of its holding.

The government registered a bill in the Rada on amendments to the State Budget-2025, which provides for an increase in expenditures on security and defense by UAH 412. 4 billion. Additional expenditures will be covered by increasing budget revenues and domestic borrowings.

The European Union will soon adopt the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Ukraine also expects strong sanctioning steps from the USA, in particular the Lindsey Graham bill.

The European Union has officially agreed to extend sectoral sanctions against Russia. This decision underlines continued pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

The European Commission wants to allow EU countries, starting from 2036, to transfer part of their climate efforts to poorer countries by using international carbon credits. This would allow counting greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved in other countries towards the EU's own 2040 target, which stipulates a 90% emission reduction from 1990 levels.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved initiatives regarding the application of personal and economic sanctions against Iranian entities. This decision is based on EU Council resolutions from 2011 and 2023.

Romania has extended the mandatory licensing requirement for Ukrainian products until December 31, 2025. This measure, introduced to protect local farmers, covers the entire agri-food supply chain.

French Finance Minister Eric Lombard calls for an extension of talks between the EU and the US beyond the July 9 deadline for a more favourable trade agreement. Progress in negotiations remains questionable, and the US's 10% "mutual" tariff could become the baseline for any agreement.

Ukraine has fully synchronized the 13th and 14th packages of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation and will 100% synchronize the EU sanctions package against Iran. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of sanctions for limiting Russian capabilities and expects quick action from Ukrainian institutions.

US President Donald Trump will support new sanctions against Russia, which provide for tariffs for countries that buy goods from the Russian Federation. Senator Lindsey Graham discussed this issue with Trump, noting that everything is going well for the bill to be signed.

The US administration lifted sanctions on the Hungarian Paks NPP expansion project, which were imposed by the previous Joe Biden government.

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.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia, supporting Ukraine through the SAFE and ReArm Europe initiatives, and the importance of strengthening Ukrainian air defense. They also touched upon the issue of using frozen Russian assets.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his refusal to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming that Zelenskyy hates him. Fico believes that Ukraine's EU membership is beneficial for Slovakia.

During a press conference with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his intention to strengthen relations between the two states. They discussed the security situation, diplomacy, EU decisions, and coordination with NATO partners, as well as assistance to Ukraine and the interest of Polish companies in reconstruction.

During his farewell visit to Kyiv, Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed further aid to Ukraine and the decisions of the NATO summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Economic relations were also discussed, particularly the interest of Polish companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not plan talks with Putin, as previous contacts did not lead to de-escalation.

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

Germany will increase the minimum wage to 13. 90 euros per hour in 2026 and to 14.60 euros in 2027. This will make it the second highest in the EU after Luxembourg.