European Union

EU ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova held her first meeting with Ukrainian officials, including Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, to discuss Ukraine's priorities, urgent energy needs in connection with Russia's attacks, as well as reforms related to the IMF program, EU funds and anti-corruption efforts.

Vladimir Zelensky will attend the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, as confirmed by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

Zelensky met with the leaders of Singapore investment companies during the Shangri-La Dialogue Summit, discussed the development of Ukrainian-Singapore trade relations, invited investors to a conference in Berlin on the modernization of the Ukrainian economy and expressed gratitude for their work in Ukraine during the war.

The G7 and the EU are considering measures to restrict the activities of third-country banks that use alternative financial messaging systems, such as SWIFT, to help Russia circumvent international sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced plans to create a pro-Russian "peace coalition" in the future European Parliament, which will aim to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia instead of confrontation with Russia.

The G7 and EU countries are considering tightening restrictions on banks that help Russia circumvent existing sanctions. Discussions are expected to continue until the G7 summit in June, where the leaders want to agree on a set of measures to better enforce sanctions

The Odessa regional state administration has received significant assistance from international partners, including the EU, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, the United States and Norway. Partners transfer medical equipment, ambulances, electric generators and other support for the restoration and development of the region.

Poland is preparing to counter the new influx of illegal migrants from Belarus by restoring 200 meters to the buffer zone and sending new units to the border.

The G7 and the EU are discussing sanctions against banks that use Russian analog SWIFT systems to circumvent restrictions, as their use tripled in 2023.

Biden unveiled a new ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, which provides for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, the release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid in exchange for a comprehensive ceasefire from the Kama Sutra.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden to the Swedish people for their unwavering solidarity and support for Ukraine during his working visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.

President Zelensky met with Swedish prime minister Kristersson to discuss defense cooperation and Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.

The EU is considering imposing import duties on Russian goods such as food, nuclear fuel and medicines to reduce Russia's export revenues and use the funds received to support Ukraine in the ongoing war.

Norway allocates NOK 75 billion (approximately EUR 6. 4 billion as of May 2024) to Ukraine for 2023-2027.

The EU has imposed sanctions on 9 more individuals and legal entities from North Korea for supporting Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine by providing military assistance and circumventing UN sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused NATO of "dragging it into a World War" by allowing Ukraine to launch western weapons strikes on Russian territory and considering sending military instructors.

An international criminal organization specializing in the theft of luxury cars from leasing companies in the EU countries was liquidated during a joint operation with the participation of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, France, Spain, Poland and Europol.

The parliamentary committee supported the increase in excise taxes on fuel in order to bring the legislation of Ukraine in line with EU standards.

Ukraine and Iceland have signed a comprehensive security agreement that provides long-term economic, humanitarian, defense support and cooperation for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO.

Sweden will provide Ukraine with military assistance worth about 6. 5 billion euros over three years in accordance with the security agreement signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson.

The Migration Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called on European countries to extend the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees or to find new ways of their legal stay, ensuring their safe presence and facilitating access to existing regulations.

Sweden threatens to unilaterally block imports of Russian liquefied natural gas if Hungary interferes with EU sanctions on Russian LNG.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters that no one will wait for the Maidan in Georgia.

Ukraine will ban sugar exports to the EU until the end of 2023, as the quota of 262 thousand tons has already been exhausted.

Ukraine is expected to receive a million shells by the end of the year thanks to the Czech initiative, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said during his visit to Prague.

Finland opposes EU calls for trade sanctions against Israel, despite the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza due to Israeli military operations, preferring to continue trade with the high-tech country.

Due to Russian missile strikes destroying critical infrastructure, especially in the energy sector, the National Bank of Ukraine lowered its forecast for Ukraine's economic growth in 2024 to 3%.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and Danish weapons can be used for self-defense, and in international law there is also the right to be able to attack the territory of the attacking party, and here we are not talking about offensive attacks.

European security services suspect russia of organizing arson attacks and sabotage attacks on infrastructure across Europe in an attempt to destabilize the situation on the continent.

France may soon announce the deployment of military instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian servicemen in mine clearance, maintenance of equipment and operation of military aircraft, despite the concerns of some allies.