Estonia has made sanctions against Belarus indefinite, extending the entry ban for 273 regime representatives, including Oleksandr Lukashenka. This decision is due to the unchanged human rights situation and Minsk's support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
Investment Capital Ukraine (ICU) met bondholders halfway, who had been in a suspended state for a long time — the so-called "hostages" — due to frozen issues of Loan Participation Notes (LPN) from EMIS Finance B. V.
Chinese engines are secretly supplied to the Russian drone manufacturer IEMZ Kupol through shell companies, which has allowed for an increase in the production of Harpy-A1 attack drones despite Western sanctions. The new Chinese firm Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade began supplying L550E engines to Kupol after sanctions were imposed on Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co.
Indian company Ideal Detonators Private Limited supplied military-grade explosive octogen to Russia in December for $1. 4 million. This happened despite US warnings of possible sanctions against organizations supporting Russia's war efforts.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. They urged China to use its influence on Russia to end its aggressive war against Ukraine, acknowledging that relations between Beijing and Brussels have reached a "watershed moment."
The European Union has concluded an agreement with the United States, under which it will fully pay for military equipment that Washington will send to the EU. A significant part of these weapons will be distributed to Ukraine.
The European Union and the United States are close to a trade agreement that would include a 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the United States. This rate could apply to cars, reflecting the US framework agreement with Japan.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko will hold a meeting with G7 ambassadors in August to discuss the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. The Verkhovna Rada must adopt changes regarding in absentia proceedings and war crimes to harmonize legislation with the EU.
Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka assured Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate, of Ukraine's readiness for further legislative measures to comply with EU standards.
The third round of negotiations on the establishment of an International Commission to consider claims for damages caused to Ukraine by the aggression of the Russian Federation took place in The Hague. The Commission will be established under the auspices of the Council of Europe, and the international treaty will take the form of an open convention of the Council of Europe.
The European Union plans to impose 30% tariffs on American goods worth about 100 billion euros if the US follows through on its threat of tariffs after August 1. This will include industrial goods, cars, and whiskey, affecting a third of American exports to the EU.
Preventive restructuring has been introduced in Ukraine, allowing companies facing financial difficulties to avoid bankruptcy. This mechanism, implemented from European law, enables the review of debts and negotiation with creditors.
Brent and WTI crude futures edged lower after three sessions of declines. This happened amid a US-Japan agreement and discussions of sanctions against Russian oil, which affects global trade sentiment.
Germany and France are rallying EU members to support retaliatory measures against US tariffs until Washington compromises. They propose using the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), which would allow blocking American companies and restricting import/export.
According to Martin Wolf, the outcome of the war in Ukraine will affect the future of European liberal democracy. He emphasized that Ukraine is fighting for the right to choose its own destiny, against Russia's autocracy and its desire to dominate Europe.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed with EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis Ukraine's integration into the SAFE initiative. The goal is to increase the production capacities of Europe's defense industry and strengthen security.
Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka stated that Ukraine remains committed to an effective anti-corruption policy and international obligations, commenting on the Verkhovna Rada's decision regarding NABU and SAP. He emphasized that success in the fight against corruption lies in effective sentences, trust within the system, and the joint work of agencies.
From April 1, 2025, foreigners will be admitted to Ukrainian universities exclusively through the Unified Interdepartmental Information System, created with the support of the EU. In the first three months of the system's operation, more than 1,700 applications have already been submitted, and the first foreign students have already been enrolled and arrived for their studies.
Ukrainian police, together with foreign colleagues, identified a resident of Dnipro who sent false reports about the mining of educational institutions and leisure centers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia. He has been charged with knowingly false reporting of a threat to public safety.
The Viru County Court sentenced Russian citizen Pavel Kapustin to 6. 5 years in prison for spying for the FSB, providing false information, and violating international sanctions. His property worth about 90,000 euros, obtained from illegal activities, was also confiscated.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will meet with the leaders of Japan and China. In Tokyo, agreements on cooperation in the defense industry and economic security are planned to be signed, while no significant agreements are expected from the summit in Beijing.
Shipowners and oil traders are distancing themselves from the Indian company Nayara Energy Ltd. after its inclusion in the EU sanctions package. The tanker Talara turned around and left the port of Vadinar without loading fuel, and Nayara began demanding prepayment due to concerns about payments.
Brent and WTI oil prices fell amid fears of a trade war between the US and the EU, which could curb fuel demand growth. The Trump administration has set August 1 as the deadline for trade agreements, otherwise countries face high tariffs.
A number of countries issued a joint statement, calling on Israel to cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip due to the suffering of the civilian population. The Israeli Prime Minister's advisor called this statement a "delusion" that sends Hamas a "wrong and dangerous signal" because it does not pressure the group.
Next year, Ukraine will need at least $120 billion for defense. Half of this amount is expected to be raised with the support of allies, as announced by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not join NATO now, but can receive additional funding from the Alliance for its army and military motivation. He emphasized the need to focus on obtaining funds for drones and for the military, leveraging the readiness of the US and key European leaders to strengthen Ukraine within the framework of 5% defense spending.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that a political decision by the G7 is key to the confiscation of frozen Russian assets, most of which are located in Europe. He noted that after such a decision, tools will emerge to use these funds for the benefit of Ukraine.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in the SAFE loan program for financing in 2026. The "Building with Ukraine" initiative is also being developed to expand joint defense-industrial projects.
Ukraine and France will create a €200 million fund to support Ukraine's critical infrastructure and economy starting in 2026. Issues of weapons, finance, reconstruction, and sanctions against Russia were also discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the heads of Ukrainian embassies, outlining five key priorities for diplomacy. These include weapons, Russian assets, integration with the EU and NATO, negotiations to end the war, and connecting Ukrainians abroad with Ukraine.
