European Union
The planned meeting between EU High Representative Kallas and US Secretary of State Rubio was canceled due to “scheduling issues. ” The cancellation comes amid rising tensions between the US and EU over migration and freedom of speech.
Viktor Orbán's government proposes to move the annual LGBT pride parade from the streets of Budapest to an enclosed space, explaining it as “child protection. ” This continues a series of restrictions on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.
Donald Trump announced the introduction of 25% tariffs on imports from the EU, including cars. The US President accused the EU of creating a bloc to “rob” the United States.
The European Union has reduced the sanctions list for embezzlement of Ukrainian state funds from 18 to 3 people. Viktor Yanukovych, who has been under sanctions since 2014, is no longer on the list.
44 WTO members and Ukraine sign the annual statement condemning the impact of Russia's invasion. For the first time, the United States refused to support the document, indicating a change in its position.
The European Union has extended sanctions against individuals associated with Yanukovych, but the list has been reduced from 18 to 3. Yanukovych himself is no longer on the sanctions list.
The French president held a videoconference with the leaders of 27 EU countries after meeting with Trump. Macron reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating conditions for lasting peace in Ukraine.
Hungary threatens to block the extension of EU sanctions against Russia, demanding the exclusion of 9 influential Russians. Among them are oligarchs Friedman, Usmanov and Sports Minister Degtyarev.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk said that the country would not directly participate in the EU peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Instead, Poland is ready to provide full logistical support to the European mission with the support of the United States.
French President Macron briefed EU leaders on the results of his meeting with Trump in Washington. This discussion took place on the eve of a special European Council meeting on March 6 to support Ukraine.
Head of the State Tax Service of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko met with the Ambassador of Austria to discuss cooperation in the tax area. The parties discussed transfer pricing control and exchange of financial information.
The NBU published data on payment transactions in Ukraine for 2024. Credit transfers dominated with 3.6 billion domestic transactions worth over UAH 43 trillion, and 7.1 million international transfers were also made.
The European Union does not have enough money to compensate for the suspension of USAID on its own. About 55.8 billion euros of American aid could disappear, which would especially affect Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Tesla shares fell 9% after sales in the EU and UK nearly halved in January. The company's market capitalization fell below $1 trillion for the first time since November due to competition and Musk's controversial statements.
Ursula von der Leyen plans to discuss sanctions against Russia with the Indian Prime Minister. The EU is seeking to strengthen control over the implementation of restrictions, as Russian aggression threatens both Europe and India.
The President of Ukraine announced new aid packages from Britain, Norway, Spain and other countries worth billions of dollars. The Baltic and Nordic countries will provide equipment and training for brigade-sized units.
Ukraine received 500 thousand 155-mm artillery shells as part of the Czech initiative. 18 countries have allocated $1.8 billion for the purchase of ammunition, and the total volume of supplies will reach 1.5 million shells.
The President of Ukraine had a conversation with the newly appointed Prime Minister of Belgium Bart de Wever. The parties discussed support for Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets.
The Baltic states and Northern Europe insist on the immediate transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. France, Germany and other major EU states are against it, considering it a lever of influence on Russia.
Poland has announced its 46th aid package to Ukraine worth more than €200 million. The country has already trained a third of all Ukrainian military in the EU and plans to continue its training mission.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk and European Council President Costa discuss ending the war in Ukraine. An extraordinary meeting of the EU on March 6 will consider assistance to Ukraine and strengthening European security.
The European Commission has denied the existence of a new proposal on critical minerals for Ukraine, recalling the existing memorandum of 2021. This denial followed reports of possible competition with the United States for Ukrainian resources.
The future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is negotiating the allocation of 200 billion euros for defense. The new package will be twice as large as the previous one and will require circumventing constitutional restrictions.
The European Union has offered Ukraine a deal on mining that does not compete with the US. European Commissioner Stefan Sejourne said that future cooperation would be “mutually beneficial.
The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's needs for recovery and reconstruction at $524 billion by 2034. The housing sector, transport, and energy were the most affected, with direct losses of $176 billion.
Tesla's sales in Europe fell by 45% in January 2024 after Elon Musk's political statements. The company's market share dropped to 1%, while total sales of electric vehicles in Europe increased by 37%.
German Finance Minister Jörg Kukis said that Russia will not be readmitted to the G7, despite Trump's demand. He also discussed the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery.
Serbia voted in favor of the European resolution on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly, but President Vucic called it a mistake. He attributed the decision to his own fatigue and apologized to his citizens.
The US and Russian diplomatic delegations will meet again in the Saudi capital. This is a continuation of last week's talks between Lavrov and the US Secretary of State.
The EU has offered Ukraine a deal on critical minerals, competing with the US offer. Trump demands mineral rights in exchange for $500 billion in compensation for support.