Brussels
The European Commission plans to present a new package of sanctions against Russia on September 19, which aims to accelerate the rejection of Russian energy carriers. Under pressure from the United States, the EU is also considering sanctions against banks and oil refineries in India and China that trade in Russian oil.
The European Commission is developing plans to use frozen Russian assets to provide €170 billion in reparations loans to Ukraine. These plans involve transferring Russian cash to Ukraine without formally seizing the assets.
This decision is linked to Fico's rapprochement with Putin and Xi Jinping, as well as accusations of violating the rule of law.
The Ukrainian delegation has completed screening meetings in Brussels on the negotiating chapter "Agriculture and Rural Development". The European Commission positively assessed the submitted materials, which indicates significant progress made by Ukraine.
The EU is preparing to tighten restrictions on issuing visas to citizens of Russia and other "hostile" countries by the end of the year. New recommendations from the European Commission, to be published in December, will include stricter criteria for the entry of Russians.
Oil prices rose after OPEC+'s decision to increase production less significantly and rumors of new sanctions against Russia. Brent and WTI rose to $66.37 and $62.58 per barrel, respectively.
On August 8, Ukraine and the European Commission began screening Ukrainian legislation under the last negotiating chapter in the agriculture cluster. Meetings will continue until September 10 in a hybrid format.
At the extraordinary meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council on September 1, the massive shelling of Ukrainian cities was condemned. Ukraine called on NATO to provide Patriot systems, long-range missiles, and invest in the defense industry.
An extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will take place on September 1 in Brussels at Ukraine's request. They will discuss joint steps in response to the escalation of Russian terror after recent attacks.
The Belgian Prime Minister stated the legal difficulties of confiscating frozen Russian assets. A significant portion of them, 183 billion euros, is located in Brussels at Euroclear.
The EU is struggling to develop new sanctions against Russia, considering restrictions on the movement of diplomats. An increase in profits for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets is also being discussed.
The European Commission buildings in Brussels were illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on August 23. This became a symbol of solidarity and a reminder of Ukraine's strategic course towards EU membership.
China has expressed readiness to participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, but only under a UN mandate. In Brussels, the plan met with a mixed reaction due to concerns about China's neutrality.
The European Union has transferred 10. 1 billion euros in revenues from frozen Russian central bank funds to Ukraine. These funds are used to support military and civilian projects in Ukraine.
EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Maternova called "peace" that demands Ukraine give up the unoccupied parts of Donbas unacceptable. She emphasized that the EU will not tolerate peace that is just another word for Ukraine's capitulation.
European leaders condemned proposals to transfer Ukrainian territories to Russia for the sake of peace. They emphasize Ukraine's sovereign right to determine the terms of peace and the need to pressure the aggressor.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which is planned to be adopted in September 2025. She also confirmed the inviolability of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
President Zelenskyy stated that security guarantees for Ukraine lie in a strong army and its financing. He called Putin's words about readiness to provide guarantees mere rhetoric.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels for a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After that, he will take part in an online meeting of the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are accompanying Zelenskyy to the US. There, they will meet with Donald Trump on Monday.
The European Union is considering easing sanctions against Russia on the condition of a ceasefire. EU ambassadors are discussing the proposal after Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Brussels has ceased to be a key factor in world politics, and the negotiations in Alaska demonstrate a split in Europe. He also noted "experiments of external interference" in Central Europe.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski emphasized that negotiations between Trump and Putin cannot resolve the issue of peace in Ukraine without the participation of Kyiv and the EU. Europe provides the main assistance to Ukraine, which is a matter of security for the continent.
Serhiy Leshchenko, advisor to the Head of the President's Office, stated that the meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska would be symbolic. He emphasized that geostrategic decisions would not be made there.
The EU Foreign Affairs Council will develop a strategy to influence the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. The EU does not exclude Kyiv from any final agreement, recognizing the US's strength in negotiations with Russia.
The European Union welcomes any efforts for a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine. The EU supports Ukraine to be strong on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
An international investigation has revealed that the smuggling of Anguilla anguilla eels is a multi-billion dollar business. Since 2021, almost 4 tons of glass eels have been exported from the EU, and gang members have been arrested.
Slovenia has banned the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel, becoming the first EU country to introduce such restrictions. This decision has symbolic significance due to the almost zero volume of arms trade between the countries.
A study by the "European Movement" showed that only a third of citizens in the largest EU countries consistently support democratic values. 64% of respondents do not rule out the advantages of authoritarian rule, yet almost half support the idea of European defense integration.
According to a Deutsche Bank report, rent for a three-bedroom apartment in European city centers continues to rise, with only five cities having an average cost below 2,000 euros. London is the most expensive city with a rent of 5,088 euros, while Athens is the cheapest at 1,080 euros.