European Union

The National Bank of Ukraine set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 39. 5737 UAH/USD, devaluing it by 18 kopecks.

Canada imposes new sanctions on 21 people in Belarus for suppressing protests and human rights violations after the 2020 presidential election.

The European Commission has approved the Ukraine Plan for 2024-2027, paving the way for regular and predictable EU support to help Ukraine meet its urgent budgetary needs, carry out recovery and reconstruction, and ensure macro-financial stability.

Thousands of people protest in Tbilisi against the proposed law on "foreign agents," blocking traffic and rallying outside the parliament.

The Greek prime minister is convinced that russian troops deliberately launched a missile strike on Odesa to intimidate Athens when he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were visiting the city.

The Minister of Energy of Ukraine discussed with the EU Commissioner the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities, the need for equipment to restore and strengthen the resilience of the energy system, and the importance of Ukraine's underground gas storage facilities for European energy security.

A new direction has emerged in MHP's agribusiness.

Poland has received its first major disbursement of €6. 3 billion from an EU fund previously blocked due to a dispute over the rule of law, after the new coalition government began to resolve a dispute over strengthening the independence of the Polish judiciary.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi called for sanctions not only against Russia, but also against countries that support Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

Since the beginning of 2024, nearly 7,000 entrepreneurs have received affordable loans worth UAH 27. 3 billion, with one in five loans issued to businesses operating in high-risk areas.

Hundreds of Georgian citizens protested in Tbilisi, Georgia, against the "foreign agents" law, which critics compare to a Russian law used to suppress the opposition; further protests are planned for the evening.

Serbia plans to sign a €3 billion deal with France to buy a dozen Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, diversifying its arms purchases amid Russia's war in Ukraine, despite being one of Moscow's closest allies.

Somali pirates have released the seized Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Abdullah after receiving a $5 million ransom from the ship's owners.

Iran fired about 300 drones, ballistic and cruise missiles toward Israel, which intercepted about 99% of them, in response to an alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, prompting G7 leaders to condemn Iran's actions and warn of the risk of uncontrolled regional escalation.

The G7 countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in restoring and developing its transport infrastructure, including the integration of the Ukrainian railway network with the European rail system, creating new cross-border connections and ensuring sustainable and reliable global supply chains.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over Iran's massive attack on Israel using about 300 drones and missiles, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the issue through political and diplomatic means.

Ukraine and Slovakia signed a memorandum on deepening cooperation in the nuclear industry, including the exchange of experience in operating nuclear facilities, fuel diversification, and the development of small modular reactors.

Iran launched a massive attack on Israel, using about 300 drones and missiles. This provoked strong condemnation from the EU and European countries.

On the Day of the Defense Industry Worker, President Zelenskyy inspected the latest military equipment and weapons, and heard a report on their production and use at the front.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as Israel warned of consequences and called for sanctions against Iran.

The European Commission plans to disburse €1. 5 billion to Ukraine in April and is expected to disburse another €1.9 billion in May, subject to certain conditions, as part of a €50 billion program for Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is preparing a comprehensive strategy and action plan for interaction with Ukrainians living abroad, aimed at preserving their Ukrainian identity.

President Zelenskyy said that all of Ukraine's international partners agree to participate in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, which is estimated to cost about $700 billion, although the final amount cannot be determined until the war is over.

The government is working in three areas to address energy problems: rapid repair and restoration of facilities, decentralization of the energy system through small cogeneration plants and cooperation with partners, and strengthening air defense of critical infrastructure.

The administration of US President Joe Biden is growing increasingly frustrated with delays in funding aid to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

The European Union has approved criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for helping to circumvent EU sanctions, such as travel bans, trade in sanctioned goods, or prohibited financial activities.

The Cannes Film Festival has announced its competition program, which includes a film by russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov and a special screening of Sergei Loznitsa's film about the russian invasion of Ukraine.

Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into a Moscow-funded influence network in the European Parliament that paid MEPs to promote the Russian agenda. The network was uncovered by Czech and Polish intelligence agencies on the eve of the European Parliament elections.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo said that Belgium supports the training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16s and hopes that the first delivery will take place in May, but Belgium still needs the F-16s themselves until they are replaced by F-35s.

EU leaders will discuss the supply of air defense systems, including Patriot batteries, to Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Brussels on April 17-18.