Brussels
The Icelandic government plans to submit a bill to parliament on a referendum regarding the resumption of EU membership negotiations. The vote will take place in late September 2026, driven by the rising cost of living and changes in Europe's security architecture.
The European Union will appeal to international partners for additional funding for Ukraine to cover a €30 billion deficit. Hungary is blocking a €90 billion EU aid package due to a dispute over oil supplies.
France will send a warship to Cyprus to strengthen air defense after a drone attack on a British base. Great Britain is considering sending the destroyer HMS Duncan to protect the Akrotiri airbase.
Ukraine is assessing significant damage after Russian drone attacks on a key facility of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which could complicate the issue of EU aid to Kyiv and sanctions against Moscow. Hungary and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of withholding supplies, blocking EU aid.
Temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU is valid until March next year, said European Commission spokesman Markus Lammert. He is not aware of the debates regarding men of conscription age, referring to the current rules.
The American network Armada Network accused Ukrainian grant activists of manipulation and turning reforms into a source of income. The report was presented by former US Congressman Gregg Harper in the European Parliament.
The European Union is negotiating with Hungary and Slovakia to unblock the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas noted that diplomatic work continues despite the difficulties.
Budapest justified its decision to block the €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine. This caused disappointment among EU foreign ministers.
Hungary threatens to block the EU's support package for Ukraine, including a €90 billion loan, due to disputes over energy supplies. This could leave Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa without EU solutions for Ukraine during their visit on the anniversary of the war.
European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen stated that Brussels is not pressuring Ukraine regarding the timeline for restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline. Oil from Russia is supplied to Hungary and Slovakia via this pipeline.
The European Commission has confirmed contacts with Ukraine regarding the repair of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline, which is hindering the supply of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. These countries have 90-day reserve stocks, which eliminates short-term risks to supply security.
Ihor Zhovkva met with NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge. New defense support packages, which Ukraine expects to receive by February 24, were discussed.
Belgium summoned US Ambassador Bill White over his statements regarding the investigation into the moguls. The ambassador called it an "antisemitic" persecution, violating diplomatic norms.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is suffering heavy losses in Ukraine and is advancing at the pace of a garden snail. He called on NATO to continue supporting Ukraine and not to succumb to Russian propaganda.
UAF President Andriy Shevchenko met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, discussing the prevention of Russians' return to international competitions. The issue of Russians was not considered at the UEFA Congress, which was confirmed by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's policy chief, called for NATO to be based on partnership, not dependence, during talks in Brussels. This comes amid the absence of the US Secretary of Defense and rising allied defense spending.
Belgian police searched the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. The investigation concerns the sale of 23 buildings worth about 900 million euros.
Germany has nominated Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer for the position of Chairman of the NATO Military Committee. The new chairman will take office in the summer of 2027.
The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with an additional £500 million to strengthen its air defense. The funds will be used to protect cities and critical infrastructure from missile attacks.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said he expects more announcements of commitments under the PURL initiative to supply Ukraine with American weapons. Allies have pledged to purchase more than $4.5 billion worth of weapons.
Kaja Kallas stated that she would propose a list of concessions that Europe should demand from Russia for a settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. Among the conditions are the return of Ukrainian children and restrictions on Russian armed forces.
NATO plans to launch the Arctic Sentry military mission in the Arctic, specifically in Greenland, to strengthen its presence and reduce tensions between the US and European allies. The launch could take place this week during the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
The European Union is preparing for a week of intense diplomatic meetings, including a meeting of defense ministers, an economic summit, and the Munich Security Conference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the Munich Conference.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán called Ukraine an enemy of his state, arguing that it threatens to increase the cost of living for Hungarians if the supply of cheap resources from Russia stops.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos announced her intention to review the partnership with Turkey ahead of her visit to Ankara on February 6. Turkey is seen as an important partner due to its potential role in the Black Sea region after the war in Ukraine.
Serbia plans to purchase gas through the EU's joint procurement mechanism to reduce its dependence on Russia. The country aims to secure approximately 500 million cubic meters of fuel annually through the EU initiative.
32 European lawmakers have appealed to the European Commission, demanding an investigation into TikTok over allegations of content censorship, particularly concerning the "Epstein files. " Users report technical issues and reduced post reach following changes in the platform's ownership.
EU ambassadors reached an agreement on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. The European Parliament is likely to vote next week.
Iran has officially declared the armed forces of European Union countries "terrorist groups. " This was in response to the EU's recognition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his loyalty to Donald Trump, is offering an "olive branch" to partners in the EU. This move comes amid rumors of his meeting with Trump, which reportedly did not meet Fico's expectations.