European Union

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister calls on EU partners to adopt a negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU in June, citing reforms in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and a competitive market economy.

The creation of the Unified Database of Tobacco Product Samples by the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute may become an additional tool in the fight against the shadow cigarette market, allowing to quickly determine the origin of a cigarette pack and strengthening the expert capacity in the fight against illicit trafficking of tobacco products.

Estonia does not plan to expel Ukrainian conscripts, even if their documents expire, which allows them to apply for temporary residence permits despite the lack of valid travel documents.

Ukraine needs more air defense systems from international partners to protect its underground gas storage facilities, which are crucial to Europe's energy security.

US climate change diplomat John Podesta will meet with his Chinese counterpart in Washington, DC, in May for bilateral talks on climate change cooperation.

78% of American adults believe that social media has too much influence on politics, with 84% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats sharing this opinion.

Former US President Donald Trump has been fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating an order prohibiting him from making public statements about witnesses and jurors in the criminal trial against him in New York.

The European Commission has launched an official investigation into Meta (Facebook and Instagram) for potential violations of the Digital Services Act related to misleading advertising, disinformation campaigns, lack of effective tools for monitoring public discourse and elections, inadequate mechanisms for detecting illegal content and compensating users, and shortcomings in providing access to data for researchers.

Zelenskyy said that there are no military threats in Europe that affect only one country, as they inevitably affect others, emphasizing the need for cooperation to maintain peace and security across the continent.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects Ukraine to start EU accession talks in June.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonite said that the return of Ukrainian citizens liable for military service home requires discussions at the level of the European Union.

Ukraine and the EU have begun consultative meetings in Brussels to conduct an official inspection of food security, veterinary and phytosanitary policies as part of Ukraine's accession negotiations with the EU.

The Council of the European Union has approved a mandate for negotiations with Ukraine on the extension of the Agreement on the Liberalization of Freight Transport, which will allow Ukraine to continue freight transportation without permits until at least June 2025.

According to CASE Ukraine senior economist Volodymyr Dubrovsky, the draft law on the “white business club” proposed by Danylo Hetmantsev is aimed at dividing entrepreneurs and undermining their efforts to reform the tax system.

The G7 energy ministers are discussing setting a common target date of 2035 for the closure of coal-fired power plants, a significant step toward the phase-out of fossil fuels.

Stefanchuk met with Polish MPs to discuss military support, Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, Ukraine's path to the EU and NATO, and post-war reconstruction.

The European Commission's new package of sanctions against Russia should target Russia's "shadow fleet," liquefied natural gas, and circumvention of the restrictions imposed.

The American fund Argentem Creek Partners, which is suing for a grain terminal in Odesa, is financing the business of Russians close to Rosneft, foreign media reports.

The EU and the US have expressed concern over Iraq's new law criminalizing LGBTQ+ relationships with up to 15 years in prison, criticizing it as a threat to human rights and freedoms.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will announce at noon whether he will resign over corruption charges against his wife.

China's intelligence chief promises a "powerful offensive" to combat espionage and eliminate traitors amid a barrage of espionage accusations from Europe and the United States.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 39. 6015 UAH/USD, strengthening the hryvnia by 7 kopecks.

Turkey is seeking a long-term agreement with ExxonMobil to import up to 2. 5 million tons of LNG annually, which would reduce its dependence on russian gas supplies.

Italy is ready to support EU sanctions on russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), as it has diversified its gas supplies and can do without russian gas entirely.

Latvia has donated a 250 MVA transformer, compressor, and transformer oil to Ukraine to help supply power and heat critical infrastructure after the russian missile attacks.

Germany opposes the confiscation of $300 billion in frozen russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction and military aid, fearing it would set a precedent that could lead to new lawsuits against Germany for World War II crimes.

During a protest against the law on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, clashes broke out between activists and law enforcement. Police used tear gas against protesters who tried to enter the parliament building.

On Sunday, April 28, activists gathered in Tbilisi for another protest against the draft law on "foreign agents," chanting "No to the Russian law. Yes to Europe" and marched to the parliament, surrounding the building with a symbolic "human chain"

Macron is calling for a debate on the role of nuclear weapons in Europe's common defense, proposing to discuss missile defense, long-range capabilities, and nuclear weapons for countries that have them or host US nuclear weapons.

Russians damaged energy facilities and the natural gas transportation system in the west of the country during a massive missile attack on April 27.