European Union

This week, Ukraine received significant financial and defense support packages from international partners, including €5 billion from the EU, a $900 million IMF tranche, and $2 billion in macro-financing from Canada, as well as new artillery, drones, and armored vehicles for defense.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that there is a clear international consensus that any ground attack on the city of Rafah in Gaza would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and called for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Ukraine expects to start accession talks with the EU in June 2023 on the basis of a gentlemen's agreement with most EU countries.

Ukraine expects to start actual accession negotiations with the EU in the first half of 2024, with negotiations taking place simultaneously with sectoral integration and the expansion of the economic visa-free regime with the EU.

Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna met with Admiral Robert Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, to discuss NATO's increased support for Ukraine in building military capabilities, increasing defense production, and preparing for the upcoming NATO Summit, which will discuss further assistance to Ukraine.

9 Ukrainian children, including 4 children from orphanages aged 3 to 10 and a 12-year-old girl, were returned from Russia, where they had been forcibly taken and told that Ukraine did not exist.

The government approved a draft law to gradually increase excise tax rates on fuel and alcoholic beverages to the EU minimum levels, with an expected additional UAH 1. 6 billion per month from fuel sales and UAH 4.5 million per month from intermediate products in 2024, aimed at supporting the country's security and defense sector.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein visited Bucha in Kyiv region to see the aftermath of Russian atrocities and discuss regional cooperation with the Kyiv authorities.

The EU imposed new sanctions on 33 individuals and 2 organizations involved in the death of ussian opposition leader alexei navalny in a maximum security prison.

Belgium proposes to use bonds secured by frozen Russian assets to maximize funds for Ukraine, potentially generating much more than the current €3 billion from these assets.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bylstrom warned of a "prolonged" conflict with Russia, calling on the EU to provide long-term military and financial support to Ukraine.

The European Commission proposes to raise tariffs on imports of grains, oilseeds and processed products from Russia and Belarus to the EU to prevent market destabilization, combat exports of misappropriated Ukrainian grain and deprive Russia of revenues it uses to finance its war against Ukraine.

The Moldovan parliament approved the Declaration on the country's European integration, calling EU accession a national priority and emphasizing the benefits it will bring in terms of sovereignty, democracy, economic development and social policy.

The European Union plans to circumvent the EU Treaty's ban on arms purchases from its budget in order to increase military aid to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy called on EU leaders to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems and ammunition to protect its cities from Russian terror and defeat Putin in the battle for Ukrainian skies.

The IMF Board of Directors approved the third revision of the Extended Fund Facility for Ukraine, which allows for the immediate disbursement of about $880 million to support Ukraine's state budget expenditures, international reserves, and macrofinancial stability.

EU leaders have agreed to use money from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine buy weapons, with the first €1 billion to be disbursed by July 1, reflecting the growing need due to the war in Ukraine.

The European Commission is preparing to impose tariffs on grain products from Belarus and Russia to prevent Russian grain from destabilizing the European market, stop Russia from profiting from exports to the EU, and ensure that illegally exported stolen Ukrainian grain does not enter the EU market.

The EU leaders unanimously called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and humanitarian aid.

The European Council has decided to start accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, a key step on the country's path to EU membership.

Zelenskyy emphasized the urgent need to receive Patriot and other air defense systems from partners to protect Ukrainian cities and communities from Russian missile terror.

Russia and China have reached an agreement with Yemeni Houthi rebels to ensure the safe navigation of their vessels in the Red Sea.

Washington supports the idea of issuing $50 billion worth of bonds for Ukraine using frozen russian assets to finance Ukraine's war effort.

Ukraine should adopt a draft law on the regulation of virtual assets and payment systems in line with EU standards, as well as work to regulate crypto assets and ensure the stability of the digital financial sector in line with European best practices.

The U. S. Department of Justice and 16 state prosecutors filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the iPhone maker of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market and creating obstacles to competitors' access to iPhone hardware and software features.

The EU introduces new rules requiring social media platforms such as X, TikTok, Facebook, and others to take steps to mitigate election risks or face fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover.

The Belgian Prime Minister welcomes the EU's proposal to use the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to buy weapons for Ukraine, calling it a reasonable way.

Five European countries-Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland and the Czech Republic - have called on the European Commission to ban grain imports from Russia and Belarus to prevent Russia from financing the war against Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken out about using profits from frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's defensive struggle against the Russian invasion.

Estonian prime minister Kaya Kallas said that helping Ukraine defeat Russia could prevent World War III, calling for increased EU military assistance and defense spending.