European Union

Hungary's presidency of the EU, which began on July 1, may cause difficulties in Ukraine's negotiations with the EU due to Hungary's demands on minority rights that are not related to accession negotiations, potentially blocking these negotiations.

According to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Russia was not elected to ECOSOC, one of the six main UN bodies, which shows that international criminals have no place in international bodies.

Zelenskyy announced further joint steps with European partners, progress in Ukraine's accession to the EU, and new bilateral security agreements in the coming months.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba congratulated Hungary on its presidency of the EU Council, thanked Belgium for its historic decisions during the presidency, and expressed interest in constructive cooperation and unity of the EU to protect peace and stability in Europe based on reliable support for Ukraine.

Ukraine has one month to agree with international creditors on a debt restructuring to avoid default, with creditors rejecting Ukraine's proposed 60% debt reduction and demanding a 22% reduction instead.

Starting from November 30, 2024, honey and other bee products intended for human consumption can only be imported into the EU from companies listed by the competent authority of the exporting country to combat fraud and counterfeiting.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy congratulated Hungary on its EU presidency, expressed readiness to contribute to strengthening Europe on the path to EU membership, and thanked Belgium for its leadership during the historic EU presidency, which helped advance Ukraine's accession negotiations and support programs.

Concerns are growing in European capitals about Joe Biden's mental acuity and physical limitations after his poor performance in the debate with Donald Trump. Some politicians are calling on Democrats to replace him as their presidential candidate.

More than half of Ukrainian parents surveyed in Poland believe that their children receive equal opportunities in Polish schools and have sufficient conditions for successful adaptation, although one-third reported facing discrimination, according to a study by the educational platform Mathema.

Poland has suspended the passage of Ukrainian trucks at the border without international freight permits. However, the EU-Ukraine freight liberalization agreement came into force on June 20, abolishing the need for Ukrainian carriers to have permits for bilateral transportation.

Poland has suspended the entry and exit of Ukrainian trucks without international freight permits at checkpoints on the Polish-Ukrainian border from July 1, 2024, while other border crossings continue to operate.

Hungary takes over the presidency of the EU Council for 6 months amid serious disagreements with the EU leadership on issues such as the war in Ukraine and migration.

Right-wing parties in Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have announced the creation of a new far-right faction, Patriots for Europe, in the European Parliament, which will fight against the Brussels establishment.

During the forum in Dubrovnik, Kuleba discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia the preparation of a bilateral security agreement.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Croatia with China's Special Representative for European Affairs Wu Hongbo and discussed efforts to restore peace in Ukraine on the basis of the UN Charter and international law, emphasizing the importance of considering Ukraine-China relations in the context of Ukraine's future EU membership.

The EU imposed restrictive measures on the Belarusian economy to circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia, including extending the ban on the export of dual-use goods and technologies and restricting the transit of dual-use goods through Belarus.

This weekend, the Estonian Reform Party will nominate a new candidate for prime minister.

The IMF has approved a new tranche of $2. 2 billion for Ukraine under an Extended Fund Facility program aimed at supporting Ukraine's state budget and economic stability in the face of the ongoing conflict.

The EU Council has imposed sanctions on two individuals and four companies for helping to circumvent sanctions against Russia, in particular against Dmitry Beloglazov and his company Titul LLC.

Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski to discuss support for Ukraine, including a security agreement between Kyiv and Warsaw, the start of EU accession talks, unblocking EU military aid, and providing additional air defense equipment.

Slovenia and Ukraine are finalizing a security agreement that could be signed before the upcoming NATO summit in Washington on July 9-11, 2023.

The Czech Republic and Ukraine will sign a security agreement at the European Political Community summit in London on July 18, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced.

Ukraine plans to start bilateral meetings with the European Commission next month to present progress in harmonizing national legislation with EU legislation on each negotiated chapter.

Ukraine will receive $60 billion in annual military aid from its allies over the next 4 years, according to security agreements signed with the EU, the US, and other partners.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expects Ukraine and Poland to sign a bilateral security agreement before the July NATO summit.

EU leaders express serious concerns about Georgia's law on "foreign agents," saying it deviates from EU recommendations and de facto halts Georgia's accession process.

The National Bank of Ukraine devalued the hryvnia by 2 kopecks, setting the official exchange rate at 40. 5374 UAH/USD and 43.35 UAH/EUR, while Ukraine received €1.9 billion in unconditional financing from the EU.

President Zelenskyy discussed with Czech Prime Minister Fiala the purchase of artillery shells for Ukraine, Ukraine's applications for EU and NATO membership, and preparations for a bilateral security agreement.

President Zelenskyy met with European Commission President von der Leyen in Brussels to discuss Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, strengthening sanctions against Russia, using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense, and trade and transport liberalization.

Slovakia's new president, Peter Pellegrini, met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels, discussing his plans to visit Ukraine and assuring Zelenskyy of Slovakia's support for a quick and just peace for Kyiv.