European Union

Georgia's ruling party plans to introduce bills restricting LGBT rights, including banning same-sex marriage, adoption of children by non-heterosexual couples, sex reassignment surgery, and "LGBT propaganda" in education and the media.

The Verkhovna Rada supported in the first reading the bill on raising excise taxes on tobacco products, while the excise tax on cigarettes is tied to the euro exchange rate and should increase by 23% in 2025, then by 5% annually in 2026-2028, in order to reach the EU minimum level by 2028.

Ukraine set a record for sugar exports in May: 65% were exported to EU countries and 35% to other countries, which was the highest monthly export figure for the country.

Starting June 30, 2024, Binance will restrict access to unregulated stablecoins for users from the European Economic Area due to new MiCA rules governing stablecoins in Europe.

Chinese banks are increasingly demanding that entrepreneurs confirm that goods purchased in" friendly " countries such as Serbia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will not be sent to Russia, which violates the payment scheme for supplies to Russia through third countries.

The Georgian authorities have announced a possible seizure of the accounts of NGOs and media outlets that refuse to register as "foreign agents" under a new law requiring the declaration of foreign funding in the amount of more than 20% of income, despite fears of being branded and facing restrictions, as in Russia.

From May 30 to June 3, Kiev hosted the national selection for the national team of Ukraine for the Invictus Games 2025, where 329 wounded servicemen and veterans competed in 9 adaptive sports to represent Ukraine at international competitions in Canada.

Ukraine needs several years to fully restore its generating capacity, so Ukrainians should be prepared for long-term power supply restrictions due to Russia's constant strikes on energy infrastructure.

Russia destroyed 9. 2 GW of Ukraine's generating capacity as a result of missile strikes on its energy infrastructure.

Exports of agricultural products by road declined significantly due to logistics problems and lack of drivers caused by mobilization, while exports via the Black Sea, Danube and rail improved.

In Ukraine, there are almost no transitional plant residues from last year's crop, so an increase in exports can be expected only after the new crop is harvested.

Speaker of the Georgian parliament Shalva Papuashvili signed a controversial law on" foreign agents", which requires the media to, which, according to 2023 data, received more than 20% of their income from abroad to register as organizations that "pursue the interests of a foreign force".

Hungary is still undecided about participating in the Peace Summit on Ukraine in Switzerland in June, questioning the purpose of the summit if both "sides of the war"are not represented.

EU ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova held her first meeting with Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, to discuss Ukraine's priorities, urgent energy needs in connection with Russia's attacks, as well as reforms related to the IMF program, EU funds and anti-corruption efforts.

Vladimir Zelensky will attend the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, as confirmed by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

Zelensky met with the leaders of Singapore investment companies during the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit, discussed the development of Ukrainian-Singapore trade relations, invited investors to a conference in Berlin on the modernization of the Ukrainian economy and expressed gratitude for their work in Ukraine during the war.

The G7 and the EU are considering measures to restrict the activities of third-country banks that use alternative financial messaging systems, such as SWIFT, to help Russia circumvent international sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced plans to create a pro-Russian "peace coalition" in the future European Parliament, which will aim to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia instead of confrontation with Russia.

The G7 and EU countries are considering tightening restrictions on banks that help Russia circumvent existing sanctions. Discussions are expected to continue until the G7 summit in June, where the leaders want to agree on a set of measures to better enforce sanctions

The Odessa regional state administration has received significant assistance from international partners, including the EU, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, the United States and Norway. Partners transfer medical equipment, ambulances, electric generators and other support for the restoration and development of the region.

Poland is preparing to counter the new influx of illegal migrants from Belarus by restoring 200 meters to the buffer zone and sending new units to the border.

The G7 and the EU are discussing sanctions against banks that use Russian analog SWIFT systems to circumvent restrictions, as their use tripled in 2023.

Biden unveiled a new ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, which provides for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid in exchange for a comprehensive ceasefire from the Kama Sutra.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden to the Swedish people for their unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine during his working visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.

President Zelensky met with Swedish prime minister Kristersson to discuss defense cooperation and Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.

The EU is considering imposing import duties on Russian goods such as food, nuclear fuel and medicines to reduce Russia's export revenues and use the funds received to support Ukraine in the ongoing war.

Norway allocates NOK 75 billion (approximately EUR 6. 4 billion as of May 2024) to Ukraine for 2023-2027.

The EU has imposed sanctions on 9 more individuals and legal entities from North Korea for supporting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine by providing military assistance and circumventing UN sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused NATO of "dragging it into a World War" by allowing Ukraine to launch western weapons strikes on Russian territory and considering sending military instructors.

An international criminal organization specializing in the theft of luxury cars from leasing companies in the EU countries was liquidated during a joint operation with the participation of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, France, Spain, Poland and Europol.