Slovakia will allow the approval of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia on July 18. Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed with Ursula von der Leyen on guarantees regarding gas prices and its possible shortage.
Hungary has banned entry for three Ukrainian military officials due to the death of ethnic Hungarian Jozsef Sebestyen. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called this decision absurd and unjustified, stating Ukraine's right to take appropriate measures.
Hungary has banned the entry of three Ukrainian military officials due to the death of an ethnic Hungarian in Zakarpattia. The Ukrainian side states that the cause of death was pulmonary embolism, not beating.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced damage to a church in Zakarpattia with a provocative inscription. Police and the SBU are investigating the incident in the village of Palad-Komarivtsi, where an unknown person set fire to the church doors and left an inscription.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a new treaty providing for mutual assistance in the event of armed attack and joint development of the Deep Precision Strike missile system. The agreement also covers cooperation in trade, transport, and migration, deepening ties after Brexit.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he does not know what Ukraine is and where it is located. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published the country's coordinates and its description, provided by the Grok chatbot.
From November 1, collective accommodation centers for refugees from Ukraine in Poland will only accept representatives of protected groups. For other refugees, the "Together for Independence" program is planned, offering rental subsidies and Polish language courses.
The German government expressed disagreement with the European Commission's proposal for the EU budget, which included €100 billion in aid to Ukraine. Berlin considers an increase in the budget unacceptable when member states are consolidating their own budgets.
The European Commission has temporarily suspended its investigation into the social network X for violating digital transparency rules. This decision is related to trade negotiations between the EU and the US to avoid escalating tensions with Washington.
Iceland has sufficient public support to resume EU accession talks, despite trade disputes and US threats. 58% of Icelanders support resuming negotiations, and the foreign minister considers it vital.
Gold prices fell by 0. 2% to $3340.79 per ounce due to a strengthening dollar and easing market tensions. This occurred after Donald Trump's statement about the "highly unlikely" dismissal of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will sign an agreement on mutual assistance in the event of an armed attack. The document also provides for the joint development of a missile system and measures to mitigate the consequences of Brexit.
Law enforcement agencies from over ten European countries, Canada, and the USA conducted a joint operation "Eastwood" against the NoName057(16) network. As a result, over a hundred computer systems were destroyed and seven arrest warrants were issued, including for six Russian citizens.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the country will not support the EU's REPowerEU initiative to abandon Russian gas from 2028. Slovakia links this issue to the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, demanding a postponement of the vote.
The European Commission presented a proposal for the EU budget for 2028-2034 amounting to 2 trillion euros. Of this amount, 100 billion euros are planned to be allocated to Ukraine to support its recovery and path to EU membership.
Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with representatives of the European Commission and the EU in Ukraine. Financial support and Ukraine's priorities were discussed, as well as readiness for negotiations on EU accession.
EU foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement on the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation on July 16. Discussion of the issue may resume on Friday, despite Poland's optimism and Slovakia's resistance.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed optimism about the swift adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. This will happen despite public opposition from Slovakia, which blocked it the day before.
The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania met in Lublin, reaffirming their support for Ukraine on its path to the EU and NATO. They called for increased sanctions pressure on Russia and an immediate ceasefire.
Hungary has initiated the inclusion of three Ukrainian military commanders in the EU sanctions list. This is related to the alleged violent death of a Hungarian in Zakarpattia due to the actions of the TCC.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha confirmed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks in any format and geographical zone. He refuted Russia's statements about delaying negotiations, calling them manipulation.
The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection identified 1. 8 million units of dangerous products from January to June 2025. The service conducted 827 inspections, imposed fines totaling 30 million hryvnias, and adopted restrictive decisions.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted a draft law on housing policy, which launches a large-scale reform. This will allow Ukraine to receive 300 million euros within the framework of the Ukraine Facility program.
The European Commission plans to increase the EU budget to €1. 717 trillion for the next 7 years, of which €88 billion could be allocated to support Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will present this budget plan for 2028-2035.
US President Donald Trump agreed to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal regarding aid to Ukraine, offering to sell five Patriot systems instead of two. This change of position was the result of efforts by EU and NATO leaders, including the President of Finland and the NATO Secretary General.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has resigned and is being considered for the post of Minister of Defense. Yulia Svyrydenko is to head the government, and Mykhailo Fedorov will become the first vice-prime minister.
Oil prices rose on Wednesday on expectations of sustained summer demand in the US and China. Brent and WTI futures rose, reversing a two-day decline.
US President Donald Trump said that the first Patriot air defense systems are already being shipped to European allies. According to him, the US will receive full reimbursement for the cost of weapons from the EU or NATO countries.
EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that Russia is intensifying the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine to force its surrender. At least 9,000 cases of chemical weapon use have been recorded since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Tomorrow, a meeting of the Lublin Triangle will take place in Lublin with the participation of the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland. The parties will discuss the security situation, Euro-Atlantic integration, and countering Russian threats.
