European Union

The prime ministers of Lithuania and Ukraine discussed further sanctions against Russia, preventing the bypassing of the Belarusian or other schemes, and confiscation of frozen Russian assets in favor of Ukraine.

Lithuania plans to purchase about 3,000 FPV drones worth 2 million euros for Ukraine.

Two German companies, Knauf and WKB Systems, are supplying Russians with construction materials to rebuild occupied Mariupol. Knauf Ukraine has refused to comment on the situation regarding assistance to the occupiers.

Ukraine's international reserves rose to $43. 8 billion in early April, up 18% over the month, thanks to significant inflows from international partners of over $9 billion, which exceeded debt repayments and foreign currency sales.

According to the MP, blocking tax invoices is a serious problem for Ukrainian business, creating a "tax nightmare" that threatens the country's economic security and disrupts the operation of enterprises in wartime.

International partners have allocated more than $700 million for humanitarian demining projects in Ukraine for 2022-2027, with the United States, Switzerland, Norway, EU countries, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany among the key donors.

NATO member states should provide immediate emergency support to Ukraine with air defense systems, missiles and ammunition, and create a long-term, predictable structure, backed by financial commitments, to ensure continued support for Ukraine against Russia's armed aggression.

About a hundred people protested outside the Georgian parliament building against the proposed law on "foreign agents" with placards reading "No to the Russian law" and "Two years of perseverance towards Europe.

Negotiations between Poland, the EU, and the relevant associations failed to take the first step toward unblocking the border due to disagreements among Polish associations, some of which opposed the proposed solution at the last minute, despite having initially reached a consensus.

The EU called on Georgia to refuse to revise the draft law on "transparency of foreign influence" due to its potential impact on media freedom and Georgia's EU accession process.

Russia's veto of North Korea's ballistic missile control and their cooperation in providing weapons to attack Ukraine demonstrates the close ties between Russia and North Korea amid Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Borrell points out.

Prime Minister Shmyhal discussed with Latvian lawmakers their comprehensive support for Ukraine and thanked them for their military and financial assistance.

Starting from September 1, 2024, all Ukrainian children living in Poland due to the war will be obliged to attend local schools with Ukrainian language classes and teachers from Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron "has no doubt" that Russia will target the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, recognizing the external risks to the security of the Games.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock expressed skepticism about NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's plan to create a 5-year, 100 billion euro fund to help Ukraine fight russia, citing potential duplication with existing EU funding mechanisms.

Hungary is the only NATO member that openly opposes direct military support and the Alliance's coordination role for Ukraine, refusing to provide financial assistance and participate in relevant planning.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal calls for closing all loopholes in the circumvention of sanctions and imposing sanctions on the entire russian military-industrial complex, nuclear energy, metallurgy, finance, and other sectors.

Russia's economy is suffering greatly from Western sanctions due to the war in Ukraine: falling revenues, high inflation, capital outflows, industrial decline, and growing dependence on China.

MHP starts spring sowing campaign.

The Security Service of Ukraine exposed a Russian agent, a contractor of one of the combat brigades in Donetsk region, who, through his father in Russia, passed coordinates of firing positions and military fortifications to the Russian Federal Security Service, which allowed for targeted air strikes on Ukrainian troops.

The government is preparing the SME Recovery Strategy until 2027, taking into account proposals from business and experts, to address the pressing problems of SMEs in Ukraine and promote their growth, digital transformation, integration into the European market, and increase their competitiveness and innovation potential in line with EU standards.

Russia's barbaric attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure only strengthen the EU's resolve to increase its support for Ukraine and provide more aid more quickly, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

At least two companies from Germany - Knauf and WKB Systems - are supplying construction materials for use in Mariupol, according to an investigation by the Monitor program of the German TV channel ARD.

Eurostat reported that inflation in the Eurozone fell to 2. 4% in March, with the lowest rates in Lithuania and Finland and the highest in Croatia and Estonia.

Estonia has finalized the development of a compensation mechanism that provides for the use of frozen Russian funds for the needs of Ukraine.

According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO allies agree that Ukraine should become a member of the Alliance, but this will only be possible after the war is over and with guarantees that Russia will not attack again.

This year, Ukraine expects significant progress in the confiscation of frozen Russian assets with the support of the United Kingdom, as well as coordinated steps to obtain additional air defense systems from partners.

Kuleba discussed with Borrell the intensification of efforts to find additional Patriot systems for Ukraine, the current state of artillery ammunition supplies, and the next package of EU sanctions against Russia.

Estonia has finalized the development of a mechanism for using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, as discussed by the Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Estonia during their meeting.

In 2023, guests spent 678. 6 million nights in short-term rentals in the EU booked through online platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group, or TripAdvisor, an increase of 13.8% compared to 2022.