European Union

russia is creating an "African corps" of mercenaries to support dictators in Togo, Libya, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic, as well as to strengthen its influence in the Sahel and Central Africa.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine discussed the settlement of the crisis on the Ukrainian-Polish border with the President of the European Commission and presented the Ukrainian "Plan of Understanding".

On February 24, Polish protesters temporarily ended their blockade of the Ustyluh-Zosin checkpoint on the anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine, allowing trucks and cars to cross the border according to the established procedure.

On the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell reaffirmed the EU's support for Ukraine and said that Russia will not change the geography of Europe by force.

The National Bank of Georgia is investigating whether the application of the russian bank Sberbank allows transferring funds to Georgian accounts, which is a violation of sanctions against russia.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Creus will visit Kyiv on Saturday to demonstrate the EU's continued support for Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Ukraine offers Poland a five-step plan to unblock the border, including a ban on russian agricultural exports to the EU and the creation of a trilateral headquarters with the European Commission.

Next week, the European Commission will allocate up to 137 billion euros from frozen EU funds to Poland, its President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The National Bank of Ukraine puts into circulation a new commemorative 50-hryvnia banknote "Unity Saves the World" in honor of Ukraine's fight for freedom and unity against Russian aggression.

The EU plans to lift sanctions against a Slovak citizen and two Russian businessmen.

Prime Minister Shmyhal met with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen to discuss further support for Ukraine, reforms and EU integration, as well as a business conference between the two countries.

The Polish government is ready to take further decisions on effective control of products imported to Poland and the EU at the border.

Polish police are investigating reports of spilled rapeseed from Ukrainian grain trucks on railroad tracks in Poland.

In response to the 13th package of EU sanctions, Russia expanded the list of citizens banned from entering the country to include representatives of the Council of Europe and members of the OSCE PA and PACE.

The UAE is likely to be removed from the FATF's "gray list" of jurisdictions with strategic anti-money laundering deficiencies after a visiting team confirmed that measures to investigate and prosecute high-risk cases are sustainable.

The Parliament took a step toward unifying roaming with the EU by passing a law on a unified system in the first reading.

Hungary blocks a joint EU statement on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Denmark and Ukraine sign an agreement that confirms Denmark's long-term military and financial support for Ukraine, including at least €1. 8 billion in aid and Danish support for Ukraine's air force as part of an aviation coalition.

Blocking the Polish-Ukrainian border is not an economic issue, but rather the interests of certain groups. The Ukrainian side is ready for a dialogue with the Polish side, as the long-term blocking of the border "means losses for both countries.

The Ukrainian parliament passed in the second reading a draft law on fair lobbying, which is necessary to start negotiations on joining the European Union.

According to Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in January 2024, 88% of Ukraine's wheat exports went to the EU via the Black Sea.

The United States extends sanctions against Russia by another 500 points, targeting individuals associated with Navalny's imprisonment, as well as Russia's financial sector, military-industrial base, and procurement networks.

Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Crewe will visit Poland on February 23 to discuss farmers' protests, aid to Ukraine, and Poland's use of reconstruction funds.

EU foreign ministers condemned russia's war against Ukraine and called for russia and its leadership to be held accountable for waging an aggressive war and serious crimes under international law.

EU countries are trying to raise $1. 5 billion to buy artillery shells from abroad to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russia.

On the second anniversary of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, America plans to announce new sanctions against more than 500 russian companies to further limit russia's ability to produce weapons and generate the revenue that supports its economy.

Zelenskyy called for further increasing sanctions pressure on Russia to force it to become more rational and lose the war, while announcing new defense support packages from Denmark, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps responded to a Sky News investigation into how British companies are circumventing sanctions against Russia by exporting equipment that may be strengthening the Russian army, saying that the UK will look into the issue closely.

Zelenskyy and Michel discussed sanctions against Russia, the situation on the Ukrainian-Polish border, and preparations for the 25th anniversary Ukraine-EU summit.

Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine's three main tasks for 2024: protecting Ukrainians from Russian terror, implementing his proposed Peace Formula to restore international law and returning Ukrainian prisoners, and establishing defense cooperation and sanctions against Russia.