Brussels
Kaja Kallas canceled the creation of the EU defense group after pressure from member states. Diplomats feared duplication of the European Commission's work.
Eurometal forecasts the loss of 300,000 jobs in the EU by the end of 2026 due to competition from China. The association is preparing a protest in Brussels.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh cleared 1. 99 m and finished second in the Diamond League final. Eleanor Patterson won with a result of 2.01 m.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot warned U. S. Ambassador Bill White of the risk of escalation over attacks on social media. This is already the diplomat’s second reprimand this year.
Yerevan is deepening ties with the EU and the US and preparing an application to join the EU. Russia retains influence through trade, energy, and its military base.
The deputy minister said that Poland does not want nuclear warheads, while the defense minister confirmed interest in NATO's program. Experts explained the difference between participation and the deployment of weapons.
Narendra Modi may attend the EU summit on December 17–18. The parties plan to sign a trade agreement that will cover markets of 2 billion people.
Warsaw will increase its involvement in NATO’s nuclear deterrence without deploying warheads. Poland is also discussing initiatives by the United States and France.
By 2030, the number of services across the English Channel could increase from 25 to 55 per day. Eurostar will face competition from Virgin Trains and Trenitalia.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia may begin submitting an application to join the EU in the near future. The country does not yet have candidate status.
Paris was left out of the TRIPP project and lost a key ally in Pashinyan’s government. At the same time, Yerevan maintains ties with the United States, the EU, and Russia.
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland are increasing the security of critical infrastructure amid fears that Russia may organize an attack using Ukrainian drones. Intelligence services warn of a possible provocation aimed at destabilizing NATO.
The Financial Times reports that Ukraine is a "complex dilemma" for the EU: its army is valuable, but corruption and other issues raise concerns. Brussels is considering reforming the accession process, proposing phased integration.
In July, Belgium imported 0. 4 million tons of LNG from Russia, becoming completely dependent on it. This complicates the EU's energy policy, which plans a full ban on Russian gas next year.
The US is relinquishing leadership of the NATO Security Assistance Group in Germany, which coordinates military aid to Ukraine. The transition will take up to a year, but work with Ukraine will not be interrupted.
The Pentagon has initiated a review of the military presence in Europe, which Defense Secretary Hegseth announced at a NATO meeting. The goal is to transfer primary responsibility for conventional defense to Europe.
President Zelenskyy held meetings with the military command and the government on strengthening the protection of grain exports. Prime Minister Koretsky is preparing alternatives for diversifying export routes.
China imposed export controls on 14 European companies, including Rheinmetall, in response to the 21st EU sanctions package against Russia. The EU is assessing Beijing's measures, and the economic consequences may be limited.
In Brussels, the 21st EU sanctions package was approved, which blocks Russia's revenue streams and its shadow fleet. Greece lifted its blockade after concessions regarding the transportation of Russian LNG.
The COELA working group did not approve the results of the screening of clusters 2 and 3 due to Hungary's position. The issue has been postponed to September 1, making it impossible to open a new cluster before the summer break.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Taras Kachka will combine work at the Ukrainian mission to the EU with the function of trade representative. Decisions on four more clusters in the EU accession negotiations are expected.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kyiv on July 15. This was announced by European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill at a briefing in Brussels.
Netherlands summons Russian ambassador over hacking of video surveillance cameras on military aid routes to Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed a firm protest and continued support for Ukraine.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha together with First Lady Olena Zelenska will hold a meeting with the UNESCO Director-General. They will discuss the protection of Ukraine's cultural heritage and strategic partnership.
Andriy Sybiha will take part in a meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers and an event on the release of Ukrainians held by Russia. Key topics are sanctions, air defense, and Ukraine's accession to the EU.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar had contact on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. Magyar called on European leaders to be honest and move away from double standards.
President Zelenskyy announced agreements on receiving additional F-16 fighter jets. The key issue remains the urgent training of pilots for their use.
The President of France and the Chancellor of Germany criticized the EU for opening communication with Putin, which caused a confrontation with other leaders. The leaders of Estonia, Denmark and the Netherlands supported their position.
The President of Ukraine stated that the Ukrainian army has become a key force for NATO, deterring Russian aggression. He emphasized that without Ukraine, Putin will not be able to restore the USSR.
EU leaders at the summit in Brussels decided to extend economic sanctions against Russia for 12 months. The sanctions include restrictions on trade, finance, energy, and transport.