European Union

Cocoa futures hit an unprecedented $10,000 per tonne due to poor harvests in key West African countries, leading to the third consecutive annual supply shortage and concerns about the ability to produce enough cocoa beans.

Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval reported progress in meeting the demands of angry European farmers, but said the EU should continue to seek all possible solutions to calm their concerns about problems such as high commodity prices, extreme weather and low agricultural income.

The World Bank has approved a $1. 5 billion loan to Ukraine to help restore the economy, finance priority social and humanitarian expenditures, and implement reforms aimed at European integration and economic growth.

German company Rheinmetall receives 130 million euros from the EU to increase production of 155-mm artillery ammunition and explosives to replenish the European armed forces.

During a meeting of the EU Council on Agriculture, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solsky debunked negative myths that the Ukrainian agricultural sector has no economic basis, emphasizing Ukraine's ability to withstand and win the war with Russia.

Belarusian timber under sanctions is imported to the EU via Poland using forged documents claiming that the products originate from Kazakhstan.

As part of the Czech initiative, Ukraine could potentially receive 1. 5 million shells, almost twice as many as previously promised, which would help Ukraine fight better by ensuring a steady supply of fresh ammunition.

French President Emmanuel Macron intends to persuade Brazilian President Lula da Silva to take a stand on Russia's invasion of Ukraine during his three-day visit to Brazil.

Farmers on dozens of tractors have arrived at the British parliament to protest against post-Brexit regulations and trade deals that they say threaten their livelihoods and food security.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with President of the Estonian Parliament Lauri Hussar, thanking him for Estonia's comprehensive assistance and support for Ukraine, including defense aid, confiscation of russian assets, and support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula.

Due to Western sanctions and the lack of European components, the russian company Izhmash-Unmanned Systems was unable to fulfill the state order for the production of the Granat-4 unmanned system.

The draft law establishes administrative supervision over the decisions of local self-government bodies and proposes a new mechanism for selecting and appointing heads of local state administrations.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed with the European Parliament delegation financial and defense assistance to Ukraine, European integration, and the confiscation of Russian assets, emphasizing the importance of EU support.

Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy warns that attempts by France and Poland to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products could prolong the war, reducing Ukraine's revenues.

Law enforcers shut down an international drug supply channel to Europe, detaining a group of seven criminals in Kyiv and Zaporizzhia who were smuggling methadone from Ukraine to the EU.

The French Minister of the Armed Forces is ready to use his legal powers to speed up the production of weapons and ammunition needed by Ukraine, including requisitioning industrial facilities or identifying priority weapons manufacturers.

Hungary will not extend the ban on imports of honey from Ukraine, as the previous ban did not have a positive impact on prices in the local market and caused losses to companies exporting honey to the EU, said the country's Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy.

The European Business Association notes that the situation with the blocking of tax invoices by the State Tax Service has worsened since the end of February. The EBA suggests that instead of freezing business activities, the State Tax Service should conduct tax audits in case of questions about the activities of companies.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba calls on Western allies to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems to shoot down modernized Russian air guided bombs that are causing Ukraine to lose ground on the frontline.

NATO is considering shooting down russian missiles flying toward its territory near the border with Ukraine with Kyiv's consent and taking into account international consequences, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Shejna said.

Marko Mikkelson, chairman of the Estonian parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, arrives in Kyiv.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that the day may come when EU leaders will be forced to send Western combat troops to Ukraine, as Putin will not stop if Ukraine loses the war.

Japan has allocated $230 million to support Ukraine's agricultural sector as part of a project aimed at restoring agriculture and providing access to finance for farmers.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov and Commander-in-Chief Syrsky met with a delegation from the European Parliament in Kyiv to discuss increased military aid, priority needs such as air defense systems and artillery, and continued training for Ukrainian troops. The EU reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on the EU to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot and other ballistic missile defense systems to protect it from Russia's daily missile attacks.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions against 13 russian entities and 2 individuals involved in the technology and financial services sectors in order to evade sanctions imposed by the US against russia.

Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Solsky met in Brussels with his Belgian counterpart David Clarenval to discuss the extension of the autonomous trade regime between Ukraine and the EU for another year.

The EU has condemned Russia's repeated attacks over the past week on civilians and Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

A draft law has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada that would regulate the operation of social media such as Telegram in Ukraine, require disclosure of information about owners and sources of funding, and restrict the use of platforms with an opaque ownership structure.

The European Union rejected Russia's attempts to link Ukraine to the recent terrorist attack in Moscow, urging Russia not to use the attack as a pretext for escalating aggression against Ukraine or internal repression.