European Union

Polish farmers block the border with Germany at two checkpoints, allowing only emergency vehicles to pass.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba takes part in a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, stating that Ukraine has completed all the steps required by the European Commission to start negotiations on EU accession and is awaiting a decision on the practical start of negotiations.

Ukraine faces difficulties in acquiring Soviet-era ammunition directly from Balkan countries due to Russian influence and domestic legislation, so it relies on intermediary countries such as EU members or the United States to purchase such ammunition.

The EU Council has decided to allocate an additional 5 billion euros for military support to Ukraine under the European Peace Fund, the Foreign Ministry reports.

The EU is considering approving a €5 billion fund to help Ukraine and using the excess profits from frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said.

The Ministry of Reintegration's hotline, which consists of 36 operators working around the clock, has processed more than 850,000 calls from Ukrainians since mid-2012 to address crisis issues faced by internally displaced persons, including status and benefits, as well as payments to families of prisoners of war.

France condemns russia's illegal organization of the presidential elections in the occupied Ukrainian territories and separatist regions, which violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Russian "elections" held in the occupied Ukrainian territories violated Ukraine's sovereignty. They were based on repression and intimidation, Borrell said.

Russia's war in Ukraine is approaching a "point of no return" with consequences for European countries, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal believes.

Ukraine seeks to establish itself as a future EU member in the areas of defense, energy, agriculture, raw materials, and digital technologies.

The Government has approved the Plan for the Ukraine Facility, a 4-year, €50 billion EU assistance program aimed at implementing structural reforms based on European approaches and bringing Ukraine closer to EU membership, with the potential to receive about €16 billion this year.

Ukraine will bring far more benefits to the EU than the costs of its accession process, making it a worthwhile investment for the bloc.

Ukraine expects to start accession negotiations with the EU in the first half of 2024 after the European Council approves the negotiation framework.

The EU and Egypt signed a €7. 4 billion agreement to support Egypt, increase electricity sales to Europe, and cooperate on migration, security, and counterterrorism.

Zelensky said that this war decides whether Putin will be able to expand the zone of ruins in Europe and the world, thanked Ukrainian soldiers in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Orikhiv directions and noted the assistance of the United States, Denmark, Germany, Canada and other countries that support Ukraine's defense.

Ukraine does not plan to extend the Russian gas transit contract and can exist without it, as confirmed by the Ukrainian Energy Minister and the EU Energy Commissioner.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Denmark for its solidarity with Ukraine. It is noted that Denmark is the first Scandinavian country to sign a security agreement with Ukraine.

The EU is stepping up pressure on importers to significantly reduce purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas this year to undermine funding for the Russian army and redistribute supplies.

The junta of Niger has terminated the military cooperation agreement with the United States, ending the presence of the US military and the operation of the US drone base in the country.

Next week, Ukraine will receive €4. 5 billion from the EU as part of a €50 billion aid package for 2024-2027.

Next week, Ukraine expects to receive the first tranches from the IMF and the EU to cover the state budget deficit and support the security forces, social payments and pensions.

The government plans to adopt a bill to increase excise taxes on tobacco products, which should come into effect on July 1, 2024, and gradually increase to the EU minimum level by 2028.

The European Commission has agreed to exempt farmers from the mandatory fallowing of 4 percent of their land, as announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after talks with the European Commission President.

Chinese Ambassador to the EU Fu Kong is leaving Brussels for a new post at the UN in New York after less than 18 months, amid deteriorating relations between China and the EU over issues such as the war in Ukraine and alleged unfair Chinese subsidies.

By the end of 2025, the European Union plans to catch up with Russia in the production of large-caliber artillery shells, including 155-mm shells, to meet Ukraine's needs.

European Council President Charles Michel arrives in Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the Weimar Triangle leaders' meeting to discuss further support and assistance to Ukraine.

German MPs call on Chancellor Scholz to resolve differences with French President Macron and strengthen Franco-German relations "given the difficult security situation.

Josep Borrell called for continued support for Ukraine, warning of serious risks to the security of Europe and the United States.

The outcome of Russia's war against Ukraine will be decided in the spring and summer of this year, according to EU diplomat Josep Borrell, who called for continued assistance to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian occupiers.

Ukraine has started negotiations with Latvia on a bilateral security agreement, defining its content, key elements and thematic blocks.