European Union

Trump has hinted at a willingness to ease or lift sanctions against Russia as part of his "deal" to end the war in Ukraine, saying he does not like sanctions and considers them useful only in certain cases, such as with Iran.

On the 10th anniversary of the MH17 crash, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's responsibility is inevitable and all those responsible for this and other Russian war crimes will be punished as 298 people, including 80 children, died when Russian killers shot down the passenger plane.

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.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 2575 UAH/USD, devaluing the currency by 24 kopecks.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva met with Vice Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova Cristina Gerasimova to discuss priorities, tasks and plans for Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the European Union, strengthening of dialogue and cooperation between the three countries, as well as reaffirm unity in countering Russian aggression.

Ukraine has fulfilled all 9 indicators for the second quarter of 2024 under the EU's Ukraine Fund program, allowing it to request EUR 4. 1 billion from the European Commission, including EUR 1.5 billion in grant funding.

Hungary cannot be stripped of its EU Council presidency, despite Orban's controversial visits to China and Russia, but EU countries can publicly boycott his policies.

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees in the UK are at risk of homelessness and exploitation due to shortcomings in security and support procedures, according to a report by the British Red Cross.

Some European countries are considering reopening their embassies in Afghanistan, which would mean diplomatic recognition of the Taliban almost three years after the fall of the previous government.

The Czech Republic is ready to join the European initiative Ukraine Facility and cooperate with Ukraine in such important areas as rail transport, energy and construction by involving Czech companies in specific projects.

A judge of the Brovary City District Court was served a notice of suspicion for forging documents for a cruise to the Caribbean during martial law.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met in Prague with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala to discuss economic and defense cooperation, energy challenges, and the implementation of the Peace Formula.

In the EU today, EU ministers will discuss $50 billion in loans to Ukraine from seized Russian assets, ahead of the upcoming G7 ministerial meeting.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal will hold intergovernmental consultations with Czech officials in Prague to discuss ammunition supplies, EU and NATO integration, joint projects, infrastructure, energy, and signing bilateral agreements.

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.

Economists express skepticism about the ability of the Labor government to significantly improve the long-term economic growth prospects of the UK, despite political efforts.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its strong support, including €1. 2 billion in aid, hospitality for Ukrainian refugees, and advocacy for Ukraine's membership in the EU and NATO, during his online address to Lithuanian ambassadors.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili files a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to challenge the law on foreign agents (On Transparency of Foreign Influence) as unconstitutional and demand its suspension and repeal.

Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration visited Kyiv and met with her Ukrainian counterpart to discuss the next steps in the EU accession negotiations.

Starting July 16, 2024, cars with Belarusian license plates will be banned from entering the European Union through Latvia's border crossings with Belarus and Russia as part of the eighth package of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus for their participation in the aggression against Ukraine.

According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine does not receive enough aid to win the war with Russia, but only to hold out.

President Zelenskiy said he does not see Western countries pushing Ukraine to negotiate with russia, but acknowledged that some leaders would like to do so.

President Zelenskyy reiterated that the country will not abandon its strategic priorities and will not be pressured by the United States or other countries.

The European Council has extended restrictive measures against Iran until July 27, 2025, due to Iran's military support for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and armed groups in the Middle East and the Red Sea region.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban presents the "Orban Plan" for peace talks to EU leaders after visiting Ukraine, Russia, and China on a "peacekeeping mission.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court to check whether the controversial law on foreign agents complies with the Constitution and the goals of Georgia's integration into the EU and NATO.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he met with a World Bank delegation to discuss priorities, including rapid recovery, energy and the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, and expressed confidence in this year's efforts to make next year predictable and stable.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas resigned along with her entire government after an extraordinary meeting, as she is expected to replace Josep Borrell as the EU's top diplomat.

On July 15, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, which is dedicated to the baptism of Kyivan Rus by Prince Volodymyr in 988 and the establishment of Christianity on the territory of our country.

President of the European Council Charles Michel condemned the attack on former US President Donald Trump during his election campaign.