Ursula von der Leyen

Viktor Orban has created a new far-right group in the European Parliament, strengthening his influence. This could undermine EU unity on key issues, especially support for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has approved a draft agreement with the EU to receive €50 million for port repairs. During the 11 months of the sea corridor's operation, cargo turnover in the ports of Greater Odesa amounted to 60 million tons.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister suggested that the EU could have asked Ukraine to stop the transit of Lukoil's oil. He accused the European Commission of inaction in protecting the interests of Hungary and Slovakia.

The Minister of Finance of Ukraine announced that he expects financial assistance from the US and the EU in the near future. These funds will help Ukraine to look to the future with confidence until the end of the year.

Ursula von der Leyen announced the transfer of 1. 5 billion euros from frozen Russian assets for the defense and reconstruction of Ukraine. The funds will be transferred today, as the head of the European Commission noted on the social network X.

Most EU countries have already nominated candidates for the new European Commission. Among them are both new names and current commissioners. The key issues will be EU enlargement and negotiations with Ukraine.

The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented her plans for the next 5 years and called on the European Parliament to approve her for a second term. She outlined the goal of building a strong Europe, ready for any challenges.

The European Commission has agreed to provide Ukraine with about EUR 4. 2 billion, which will strengthen Ukraine's macro-financial stability in the face of the ongoing war.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planning a surprise visit to Belgrade on Friday to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on lithium imports, essential for the EU's digital and green transition.

Roberta Mecola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament for another two and a half years until 2027, receiving 562 votes in the first round.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen canceled the visit of the EC board to Budapest due to recent events related to Hungary's presidency of the EU Council, and the EC will be represented at informal meetings of the Council only at the level of senior civil servants.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas resigned along with her entire government after an extraordinary meeting, as she is expected to replace Josep Borrell as the EU's top diplomat.

Saudi Arabia has threatened to sell European debt if the G7 countries decide to confiscate nearly $300 billion of Russia's frozen assets.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed areas of close cooperation between the UK and the EU, including support for Ukraine, climate change and regional security, in a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visits Moscow to meet with Putin, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes that "appeasement will not stop Putin" and only "unity and determination will pave the way for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. "

President Zelenskyy met with European Commission President von der Leyen in Brussels to discuss Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, strengthening sanctions against Russia, using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's defense, and trade and transport liberalization.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Warsaw to meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk ahead of the upcoming NATO summit to discuss Ukraine's defense and path to EU and NATO membership.

German Chancellor Scholz called on the EU to provide financial support to countries such as Germany, which are hosting large numbers of Ukrainian refugees, to finance social assistance, vocational training and language courses for them.

Ukraine and the European Union sign a Security Agreement during an EU leaders' summit attended by President Zelenskyy, Charles Michel, and Ursula von der Leyen.

Ursula von der Leyen, Kaya Callas and Antonio Costa were nominated for top positions in the EU after an agreement between EU leaders representing the bloc's three main political groups.

Six EU leaders agreed that Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaya Callas should receive leadership positions in the European Commission, the European Council and the foreign policy service, respectively.

The EU has agreed on its 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which will further restrict Russia's access to key technologies, deprive it of energy revenues, and target Putin's shadow fleet and network of shadow banks abroad.

EU leaders failed to agree on candidates for key EU positions, including Ursula von der Leyen's second term as president of the European Commission.

Estonia has donated 31 vehicles, including 16 Skoda Octavias and 15 Volkswagen Tiguan, to Ukrainian law enforcement officers in the border areas of Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions.

Ursula von der Leyen called on Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stop the violence and return the abducted children, saying that Russia can only join the peace process when it demonstrates its readiness for peace based on the UN Charter.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the Global Peace Summit that freezing the conflict is a recipe for further wars, and it is necessary to support Ukraine's integrity and ensure a just and lasting peace that restores its sovereignty.

Pope Francis arrived at the G7 summit, shook hands with world leaders, including Biden and Modi, and gave a speech on AI.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is being considered for the post of Europe's top diplomat and head of the European Commission's Foreign and Security Policy Service, according to reports citing European diplomatic sources.

The EU notes a rapidly emerging consensus on preferred names for top EU leadership positions: naming Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission, António Costa as president of the European Council, Roberta Metsola as head of the European Parliament and Kaja Kallas as head of EU diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba outlined five steps for Ukraine's recovery: providing air defense systems, attracting investment, receiving macro-financial assistance, Ukraine's membership in the EU, and using frozen Russian assets to force Russia to pay for the recovery.