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.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defense assistance to Ukraine, particularly strengthening air defense. The parties also discussed joint defense production, including the manufacturing of drones in Ukraine.
The European Union announced that a new package of measures to restrict fuel supplies from Russian oil will not come into force until January 21 next year. This decision dispelled fears of a narrowing diesel market and gave markets a respite.
Brent crude futures rose by 6 cents to $69. 34 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 17 cents to $67.51. This comes as the impact of new European sanctions on Russian oil supplies is being assessed, alongside concerns about declining demand due to tariffs.
The United States of America will not extend the pause for the introduction of duties, and new tariffs will come into force on August 1. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that the Trump administration will conclude trade agreements by this date.
The Russian state-owned company Rosneft called the European Union's sanctions against the Indian oil refinery Nayara Energy "unjustified and illegal. " The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also disagrees with unilateral EU sanctions against Indian companies.
Zoltan Rajo, a nurse from Zakarpattia, denied information about the violent death of 46-year-old ethnic Hungarian Jozsef Sebestyen. According to him, the man died from a blood clot that entered a coronary artery, and no signs of beating were found on the body.
The European Union has provided Ukraine with €164. 8 billion in financial support, of which €3.6 billion came from frozen Russian assets. The EU also extended the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians until March 2026.
Iran, Great Britain, France, and Germany may hold talks on Tehran's nuclear program next week. This comes after the E3 countries warned of renewed sanctions if no progress is made.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova met with the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka. Maternova noted his experience in promoting Ukraine's European integration path, especially in the field of trade and the Association Agreement.
Donald Trump called on the US Senate to cancel its summer recess for the urgent approval of six candidates he proposed for positions. Among the nominees are lawyer Emil Bow and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro.
The European Parliament stated that Georgia will not be able to join the EU until the government changes its authoritarian course. The path to membership is suspended until fair elections are held.
The European Union has included two Chinese regional banks, Suifenhe Rural Commercial and Heihe Rural Commercial, in the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. China actively lobbied for the exclusion of the banks, but the EU ignored the threats, leaving open the possibility of exclusion in six months, provided support for the Russian army ceases.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he would vote against the EU budget for 2028–2034, which provides for the allocation of 100 billion euros to support Ukraine. He justifies this by saying that the budget "sends Hungarians' money to Ukraine" and "destroys Hungarian farmers."
