European Union

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.

President Zelenskyy welcomed the European Commission's approval of the draft negotiation framework for Ukraine's accession to the EU and called on EU member states to respond quickly.

The European Commission plans to propose confiscating 15-20 billion euros in profits from russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe by 2027 to support Ukraine, but details of how the funds will be used are still being discussed.

In 2022, Ukraine signed about 180 contracts for the purchase of ammunition, which is almost twice as many as the 90 contracts signed in 2023, for a total of more than 640 contracts for the purchase of weapons and ammunition during 2022-2023, of which about 300 were completed as of March 6, 2024.

President Zelenskyy signs a law amending the Tax Code to digitalize certain tax services, allowing taxpayers to interact with the State Tax Service via video conference and improving online communications.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry thanked the EU for approving an additional 5 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.

The leaders of France, Germany, and Poland will meet in Berlin on March 15 to discuss providing more support to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression.

Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch populist Freedom Party (PVV), which received the most votes in the 2023 elections, withdrew his candidacy for prime minister due to the lack of support from other parties necessary to form a coalition government.