Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects the approval of the 19th EU sanctions package and steps from the US. He hopes that Hungary will hear a key NATO ally and respect US President Donald Trump, who criticizes buyers of Russian oil.
EU ambassadors today discussed the package of sanctions against Russia for the first time. Slovakia is currently blocking the decision, preventing its approval before the summits in Copenhagen.
The Slovak Parliament approved a bill enshrining two genders – male and female – in the Constitution, and guaranteeing equal pay. 90 out of 99 present deputies voted in favor.
Bulgaria will suspend the transit of Russian gas under short-term contracts in 2026, joining EU plans. The country will replace Russian gas with Azerbaijani gas and LNG from the US, aiming to become a transit country for gas from American terminals.
Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas expressed regret that some EU countries continue to buy Russian oil and gas, financing the war. She agreed with Trump's criticism, who called on Europeans to abandon cooperation with Moscow in the energy sector.
The President of the European Commission and EU heads of state will discuss drone incursions at an informal meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen next week. This issue will also be considered at the first meeting on the 'drone wall' on Friday, with the participation of representatives from seven border EU member states, Denmark, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
European officials fear that US President Donald Trump's new rhetoric on Ukraine is aimed at shifting blame to Europe. Trump is calling on the EU for tougher sanctions against Russia and tariffs on China and India, which Europeans consider unfeasible.
Slovakia will join the EU-initiated meeting on the "drone wall" on September 26, chaired by European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius. The European Commission expects concrete results and firm commitments from member states regarding this initiative.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the country will not stop buying Russian oil due to geographical limitations. This came after Donald Trump expressed his intention to ask Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to stop the purchases.
In 2024, the average age at which young people in the EU leave their parents' home decreased to 26. 2 years. At the same time, 9.7% of young people aged 15–29 in the EU lived in households that spent 40% or more of their income on housing.
Ukraine, the EU, and 36 countries jointly called on Russia to stop the killings and start negotiations with Ukraine. The statement was made at the UN on September 23, 2025.
Hungary will not give up Russian oil, citing a lack of infrastructure for alternative supplies. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called Western European officials "fanatics" who criticize Budapest's position.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York and will last until September 29. It will bring together about a hundred presidents and over 40 prime ministers to discuss global challenges and strengthen international cooperation.
September 21 marks the International Day of Peace, as well as the Day of Peace in Ukraine, established in 2002. Stanislav Zhelikhovsky, a candidate of political sciences, spoke about world initiatives and Ukraine's contribution to peace, as well as diplomatic steps and challenges.
The European Union is considering introducing trade measures targeting the remaining imports of Russian oil, in particular via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia. These measures may be applied if Budapest and Bratislava do not present plans for supply diversification.
The European Commission plans to unfreeze approximately €550 million in EU funds for Hungary. This comes amid attempts to overcome Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's veto on imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
Slovakia and Hungary have stated that they will resist pressure from US President Donald Trump to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas until alternative suppliers are secured. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and Hungarian Government Minister Gergely Gulyás confirmed that their countries would not take steps that threaten their energy security.
The European Commission informed EU member state ambassadors about the expected 19th package of sanctions against Russia on Friday, September 19, or Monday, September 22. EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russian banks, energy companies, and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Poland has called on EU countries to completely abandon imports of Russian oil by the end of 2026, two years earlier than planned. This decision will strengthen coherence and demonstrate determination to become independent of supplies that create political and strategic risks.
The head of the CCD, Andriy Kovalenko, stated that European armies are not ready for a modern technological war with Russia, as they are poorly acquainted with the realities of drone warfare. He noted that Moscow uses Europeans' fear of war to exert pressure, and also supports pro-Russian politicians in Europe.
Thousands of people protested across Slovakia against the economic and pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Rallies took place in 16 cities, including the capital Bratislava, due to Fico's trip to China and meeting with Putin, as well as due to austerity measures.
The head of the occupation administration, Denis Pushilin, met with foreign journalists and politicians from various countries. The Center for Countering Disinformation notes that these are marginal figures, and Russian propaganda uses such events to spread fabrications.
US Senator Lindsey Graham said that Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to buy Russian oil, will face consequences. He expressed hope that these countries would join the US in stopping the bloodshed.
The European Union has postponed the official introduction of another package of sanctions against Russia after US President Donald Trump demanded stricter European measures as a condition for the US to proceed with its own sanctions.
The EU has postponed the presentation of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. This issue has been removed from the Coreper II agenda without a new date being set.
Poland's new president, Karol Nawrocki, called on NATO to step up efforts to be ready for war and expressed confidence that the Russian drone attack on Poland on September 10 was directed from Moscow. He supported Donald Trump's call for NATO countries to stop importing Russian oil.
The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on companies in India and China that facilitate trade in Russian oil as part of a new package of restrictions. The US proposes tariffs of up to 100% for China and India, and will also affect Russian oil companies.
On September 12, the Swiss Federal Council approved Ukraine's accession to the CV90 club, which unites countries operating the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle. Kyiv joined the group with observer status in March 2024.
Germany calls for stricter rules for obtaining Schengen visas for Russian citizens, especially for tourist and shopping trips. This is a proposal within the framework of discussing a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Ukrainian airline XENA, specializing in firefighting, plans to double its fleet to participate in European tenders. The company already has two An-32P aircraft and is actively extinguishing fires in Montenegro and Turkey.
