European Union

Putin said he is ready to outline the nuances of his proposals for a "peaceful settlement" of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine at a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reacted to Zelenskyy's statement that Hungary would be "an important tool to make the first step towards peace" in Ukraine. Tusk wondered in whose "hands is this instrument".

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visits Moscow to meet with Putin, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes that "appeasement will not stop Putin" and only "unity and determination will pave the way for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. "

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Moscow on Friday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of his "peacekeeping mission," his spokesman confirmed.

Six Ukrainian communities in Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovs'k oblasts have received mobile Administrative Service Centers that will help residents of frontline areas access public services faster and more comfortably.

Germany has blocked the sale of Volkswagen's subsidiary MAN Energy Solutions to a Chinese company on national security grounds, deepening tensions with its trading partner.

YouTube has closed the accounts of several well-known russian artists, including polina gagarina, oleg gazmanov, grigory leps, yulia chicherina, vyacheslav manucharov, and shaman, due to their inclusion on the EU sanctions list.

The Czech Republic no longer recognizes non-biometric Russian passports for security reasons, which prevents Russians with such passports from legally staying in the country.

British investors have suspended several significant deals in Georgia due to political instability caused by the adoption of the law on foreign agents, which jeopardizes Georgia's EU accession process and foreign investment.

The new EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles do not apply to hybrid cars, allowing Chinese automakers to continue selling partially electric hybrids in Europe at lower tariffs, although they face competition from European manufacturers in this segment.

The European Commission has imposed temporary countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China ranging from 17. 4% to 37.6%, while negotiations with China are ongoing.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has no absolute proof that Chinese weapons are reaching Russia, although some dual-use drones or parts for them come from China and Europe, and if China is developing weapons together with Russia for use in Ukraine, sanctions will need to be imposed.

The blackout schedules are in effect throughout the day amid a shortage of electricity, with emergency aid from the EU the day before and significant imports planned for today. Due to the weather, there are blackouts in two regions. In Donetsk region, 280 workers were trapped underground in a mine due to a power outage, and they have been brought out.

Several European countries are negotiating to continue receiving Russian gas through Ukraine after the current transit contract expires in 2024, despite the ongoing war.

Ukraine is discussing the possibility of replacing Russian gas transit to the EU with Azerbaijani gas after the current contract with Russia expires in 2024.

The European Union is considering imposing import duties on cheap goods purchased online from Chinese retailers such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein to protect local producers from cheaper Chinese imports.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty emphasizes the need to strengthen the integration of Ukrainian refugees in the EU and other countries, to ensure decent conditions and to invest in the integration system.

Ukraine and Norway have agreed to extend the "transport visa-free regime" for bilateral and transit traffic without permits until September 30, 2024.

Europol reports a record increase in cocaine smuggling to Europe, with almost 70% of it being transported through the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

More than 190 settlements in 4 regions are without power due to the weather. Blackout schedules are in effect throughout the day. Significant electricity imports are planned, and emergency aid from two EU countries was received the day before.

Today, on July 3, servicemen of the anti-aircraft missile troops of the Air Force of Ukraine celebrate their professional holiday. In the first hours of the war, the units of anti-aircraft missile troops skillfully shot down enemy targets and prevented the aggressor from establishing control over the Ukrainian sky.

Chinese and Russian companies are working together to develop an attack drone similar to Iran's Shahed kamikaze drone, with China potentially providing whole drones or parts to be assembled in Russia.

Zelenskyy and Orban discussed how Hungary can demonstrate leadership in preparing for the second Peace Summit, with the possibility of organizing it this year.

During Hungary's presidency of the EU Council, Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised to help Ukraine in every way possible, as he said during a joint press conference with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to consider a ceasefire and start negotiations to speed up the peace process.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited Ukraine to understand how to help the country in the next six months, to discuss the prospects for peace, and the situation of the Hungarian community in Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visits Kyiv and meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirming his visit with a photo of them shaking hands.

Starting from July 2, 2024, additional imports of eggs and sugar from Ukraine to the EU will be subject to MFN duties due to the excess of tariff quotas under the free trade agreement.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday on his first visit to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on peace and bilateral relations.

Greece became the first EU country to allow employers to unilaterally introduce a six-day workweek with additional pay for the sixth day, but only in industries with round-the-clock operations and in case of emergency.