European Union

The EU is preparing to impose a €500 million antitrust fine on Apple for its App Store rules that restrict competition.

EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss sanctions against russia, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the protection of navigation in the Red Sea.

Cyberpolice warns of a new SMS phishing scam involving fake messages about the delivery of parcels with links leading to fraudsters' websites for stealing personal data.

Polish farmers attempted to block the railroad tracks at the Dorohusk station, but were prevented by law enforcement.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the EU accession process should take place in accordance with political and historical circumstances, not technical obstacles, and that politicization of every step delays Ukraine's integration.

The EU High Representative stated that every European citizen must understand that Europe is at war with Russia and must work together to defend itself.

Ursula von der Leyen identifies four key aspects of the EU's future arms strategy: increased defense spending, joint procurement, strengthening the European defense industry, and coordination with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy met with newly elected President Alexander Stubb at the Munich Security Conference, thanked him for condemning Russian aggression, and informed him of Ukraine's defense priorities and the importance of Finland's support for Ukraine's path to NATO.

G7 foreign ministers issue a joint statement condemning Russia's aggression in Ukraine, North Korea's arms sales to Moscow, and calling on Iran to stop helping the Russian military.

Controversy with German entrepreneurs over Green Deal initiatives could affect Ursula von der Leyen's programme when she is re-elected president of the European Commission.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine has announced that in the first half of 2024, Ukraine will form a team to negotiate accession to the European Union.

Zelenskyy expects the U. S. Congress to approve further aid to Ukraine to continue its defense against Russian aggression.

Euroclear has warned that the use of frozen Russian assets as collateral for the issuance of debt to Ukraine could pose risks to European financial stability and expose Euroclear to legal action.

Germany will continue to support Ukraine's independence and its defense against Russia through a new security agreement that includes military, demining, and infrastructure assistance.

Zelenskyy begins talks with German Chancellor Scholz. They will discuss further support for Ukraine in the defense, political, financial, and security spheres, as well as cooperation between the countries and Ukraine's path to joining the EU and NATO.

European traders have sent 3 billion cubic meters of gas to Ukraine's underground storage facilities, saving them more than $300 million.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Brussels should encourage the European defense industry to consolidate and increase production.

Google is planning to launch a campaign using animated ads on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube in five EU countries to combat disinformation ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections.

A small group of countries, led by France, is blocking attempts to use EU money to buy outside the bloc for shells that could help Ukraine, according to diplomats quoted in a Politico report.

Prospects for cooperation between Ukraine and Greece in the energy sector were discussed, with a focus on green energy technologies, decentralized electricity supply, connecting gas infrastructure, and building a hydrogen corridor through several countries.

The foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Ukraine discussed the confiscation of Russian assets, providing more military assistance to Ukraine, strengthening sanctions, and preparations for the upcoming peace summit.

NATO will set up a joint training center in Poland to help Ukraine's military exchange experience with Western partners and train to NATO standards as Kyiv seeks membership in the Alliance.

The United States will continue to support Ukraine's energy sector and help diversify nuclear fuel supplies, said Jeffrey Payette.

The new members of the Donor Coordination Platform will commit more than $5. 5 billion to Ukraine's recovery to help avoid financial instability in 2024.

In 2024, elections will be held in more than 50 countries, so this year more than 2 billion voters will elect their governments. In particular, major elections are planned in India, the European Union, russia, Iran, and the United States.

Ukraine's grain exports increased by 16% in 2023 to 44. 8 million tons, with the EU remaining the main export destination

Prime Minister Shmyhal and his Polish counterpart Tusk discussed finding a solution to support Ukrainian farmers at the border without harming Polish farmers.

French President Macron is expected to sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during the latter's visit to Paris.

Polish farmers and carriers threaten to block border traffic in February and March to protest the EU-Ukraine international freight agreement.

As of the end of 2023, Ukraine's losses from the war amounted to almost $499 billion, with sectors such as trade and industry, agriculture, energy, and transportation suffering the most.