Brussels
Dutch Defense Minister Kees Ollongren said that the Netherlands does not rule out the use of weapons outside Ukraine, hoping that other countries will change their position as Ukraine fights for self-defense and territorial integrity.
Ukraine and Belgium signed a bilateral agreement on security cooperation and long-term support, under which Belgium pledged to provide Ukraine with at least €977 million in military aid and 30 F-16 fighter jets by 2028.
Belgium will supply Ukraine with 30 of its F-16 fighter jets by 2028, with the first aircraft to be delivered by the end of this year as part of a security agreement to be signed during President Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels.
EU defense ministers will discuss military aid to Ukraine and strengthening the European defense industry, but Hungary delays payments from the European Peace Fund.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits Belgium to sign a security agreement with Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo and ask for more military assistance from Western allies in Ukraine's fight against Russian troops.
Poland criticizes Hungary primarily for not agreeing to increase the European Peace Fund, from which EU countries receive reimbursement for the cost of arming Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels to discuss Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership and cooperation with the Alliance.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says that negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union should begin in the first half of the year before the EU presidency passes to Hungary in the second half, which could block the decision on Ukraine.
Germany is allocating 60 million euros for humanitarian aid to Ukraine, in particular to the russian-occupied regions in the east of the country, as people there lack the most basic necessities due to the occupation that has lasted for more than two and a half years.
Hungary blocks EU military aid to Ukraine, while other ministers demand that Budapest lift its veto on Ukraine-related issues.
Denmark and seven other EU countries propose an action plan for Ukraine's integration into the European defense industry.
Hungary's Viktor Orban-led government is delaying EU legislation that would allow Ukraine to receive up to €2 billion in arms aid, dealing a blow to efforts to mobilize proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
The G7 allies are set on a US plan to freeze Russian assets for Ukraine even before a potential Trump presidency, the FT reports.
Major General Anatoliy Bargylevych took part in the 191st meeting of the NATO Military Committee, where they discussed strengthening defense plans, readiness to counter threats and further support for Ukraine.
Greece imports Russian oil under the guise of Turkish fuel, circumventing EU import sanctions.
Georgia's application for EU membership will be frozen if the controversial Russian-inspired law on "foreign agents" is passed.
During his trip from Copenhagen, Andriy Yermak met with EU leaders in Brussels to discuss the Ukrainian formula for peace, the upcoming Global Summit and rallying international support for Ukraine.
The EU Council plans to approve a migration pact containing significant reforms to asylum policies, requiring EU countries to accept thousands of asylum seekers from frontline states or provide resources, and allowing agreements with transit and origin countries to limit the number of incoming migrants.
Russia has openly launched a campaign of terror against Western countries aimed at undermining unity through subversion, support for radical movements, and attempts to influence political decisions.
Today in Tbilisi, Georgia, a large-scale pro-European protest demanding the withdrawal of the controversial law on "foreign agents" will take place, with participants marching to European Square.
The European Union plans to provide Ukraine with broad security commitments, including political, military, economic, and reconstruction assistance, by early July, but excluding direct EU military involvement in combat operations against Russia.
Serbian President Vucic welcomed President Xi with unprecedented enthusiasm, deploying more than 6,500 police and raising Chinese flags throughout Belgrade, demonstrating Serbia's close ties to China as a counterweight to the West.
The EU has started negotiations on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes restrictions on Russian gas, including a ban on transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and restrictions on three Russian LNG projects.
Brussels is considering allowing neutral EU countries to opt out of using frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons for Ukraine, while G7 members such as Germany, France and Italy remain cautious due to legal and financial risks.
The European Union is hesitant to attend Vladimir Putin's inauguration ceremony, but EU High Representative Josep Borrell opposes the EU's participation in the event.
During the Ukrainian Defense Industry Forum in Brussels, Ukraine discussed the creation of joint ventures with European defense companies and financing the production of priority weapons for the Armed Forces at Ukrainian defense companies.
Some members of the European Parliament earn extra money by working part-time for private companies, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and influence on EU policy-making.
The Ministry of Strategic Industries says that $10 billion is the funding that can be covered by partners to use the full production capacity of the defense industry, which is $20 billion a year.
On May 6, the EU-Ukraine Defense Industry Forum will take place in Brussels to strengthen cooperation between the European and Ukrainian defense industries and help Ukraine build capacity in priority sectors such as air defense, ammunition, missiles and drones.
Armenia and NATO agreed on a military cooperation program for 2024 and outlined areas of cooperation during consultations at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.