European Union

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the approval by the EU countries of the negotiation framework on Ukraine's accession, noting that an intergovernmental conference is expected on June 25, which will actually begin the negotiation process.

The EU Council approved the common positions and negotiating framework for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, setting the stage for the start of negotiations on June 25 in Luxembourg.

New rules prohibiting the export of agricultural products to the EU, in particular grain, at prices below the officially established minimum, will not take effect until August. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Ukraine Mikhail Sokolov.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party must submit a written statement of support for Ukraine if it wants to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in the European Parliament.

The European Union has agreed on a 14th package of sanctions against Russia aimed at its military-industrial complex, financial services, energy sector, circumvention of sanctions and those involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children, making it difficult for Russia to wage a war of aggression.

Ukraine is negotiating with European Union countries on the possibility of returning men who illegally crossed the border from abroad to avoid military service.

Georgia's ruling party has introduced bills restricting LGBT rights, banning same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, sex reassignment operations, and LGBT content in media and schools, reflecting Russian laws on "traditional values.

Ukraine is in talks with the European Union to extend the EU's Military Assistance Mission, which began in 2022, to continue training the Ukrainian armed forces to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression.

The United States plans to announce new sanctions against Russia, banning the sale of Kaspersky Lab's antivirus software in the United States due to concerns about the company's ties to the Russian government and the potential risks of cyber attacks or data theft.

Ukraine became a full member of the Observatory for teaching history in Europe after being an observer state for a year.

The new package of sanctions against Russia prohibits the transshipment of liquefied natural gas to the EU, but does not reduce the volume of natural gas supplies to the European Union, the media write.

The Verkhovna Rada is considering a bill prohibiting the passage of vehicles through protected areas, with the exception of public roads, private territories and vehicles used by officials, environmental inspectors, local residents and tourists on specially designated routes.

Ukraine held talks with Poland at the level of development ministers, discussed European integration and restoration.

Ukraine and Ireland discussed the signing of a bilateral security agreement and agreed on its indicative content, as well as further steps to implement it as part of efforts to increase international support for Ukraine's peace plan.

The EU has agreed on its 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which will further restrict Russia's access to key technologies, deprive it of energy revenues, and target Putin's shadow fleet and network of shadow banks abroad.

Lithuanian energy company Litgrid is transferring a third aid package worth more than 10 million euros to Ukraine, providing transformers and other equipment to restore the power system damaged as a result of Russian attacks.

Ukraine and the EU have extended the "transport visa-free regime" for a year with the possibility of extending it until the end of 2025, allowing road cargo transportation between Ukraine and the EU without special permits.

The EU is entering a new package of sanctions against Russia, the 14th since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine.

The European Union failed to agree on a 14th package of sanctions against Russia due to Germany's indecision, despite the exclusion of a controversial clause concerning subsidiaries in third countries.

Ukraine and Poland held talks in Kyiv to coordinate Poland's efforts to fully support and rebuild Ukraine, discussing urgent military needs, joint defense production and bilateral cooperation.

Ukraine's accession to the EU will be a complex process that requires continued reforms, the ministers of Poland and Germany said during a joint press conference in Kiev.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met in Kyiv with Polish Sejm Marshal Szymon Holovna to discuss energy cooperation, Ukraine's integration into the EU, support against Russian aggression, and bilateral infrastructure projects with further assistance from Poland.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Neghammer said that Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory are legal under international law in the context of ongoing Russian aggression.

Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally party, is in favor of providing Ukraine with ammunition and equipment for self-defense, but opposes sending equipment that could provoke a wider war or deploying French troops in Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy met with the Marshal of the Polish Sejm in Kyiv to discuss the situation on the frontline, air defense cooperation, the Global Peace Summit, the bilateral security agreement, Ukraine's EU membership application, and support for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Ukraine and the European Union have finalized the text of a bilateral security agreement to be signed in the near future following the final round of talks between Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva and EU Under-Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defense Charles Fris.

The European Commission proposes an EU budget of €199. 7 billion for 2025, including €4.3 billion in grants and €10.9 billion in loans for Ukraine

The European Union plans to issue a warning to France for violating rules on deficit and debt, which could result in fines and complicate election campaigns two weeks before parliamentary elections.

The shadow economy in Ukraine was as high as 55% before Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, and it has only gotten worse since then.

Finland becomes the first EU country to start uranium mining, with a planned annual production of 200 tons by 2026.