Bulgaria to receive $519 million compensation for Ukraine military aid
Bulgaria has provided Ukraine with old Soviet-era military equipment, with funds received from NATO and EU allies being reinvested into purchasing modern Western weapons.
European Union
Euroclear to send 2-billion-euro tranche of Russian assets profits for Kyiv
Belgian clearing house Euroclear said in a statement on Feb. 5 that the second payment is expected to be made in March and should amount to approximately 2 billion euros.
38 countries announce 'major progress' on tribunal for Russian leadership
The tribunal, set to operate within the Council of Europe, will focus on Russia's political and military leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.
Italy allocates over $2 million to strengthen Ukraine's energy system
The project, funded by the Italian government, aims to make Ukraine's energy system "more resilient and decentralized" in accordance with the "Build Back Better" principle.
EU allocates $258 million in energy support for Moldova, $62 million for Transnistria
The European Commission and Moldova signed a two-year strategy for energy independence and resilience, allocating 250 million euros ($258 million) to Chisinau in 2025, the commission said on Feb. 4.
EU leaders to discuss defense strategy against Russia, Trump’s tariffs
A key focus of the meeting is geopolitics and EU relations with the United States, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs expected to dominate the agenda.
US, EU should be part of Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Zelensky says
Zelensky said that the first step for Ukraine is to hold a high-level meeting with Trump, before moving on to a format for peace talks that includes Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., and the EU.
EU denies any links between Russian gas purchases, Ukraine peace talks
Earlier the same day, the Financial Times (FT) reported that EU officials are discussing the possibility of resuming purchases of Russian gas as part of a potential settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine.
50% of Poles oppose Ukraine's EU, NATO membership until Volyn issue resolved, poll shows
Half of Poles believe Ukraine should not join NATO or the EU until the issue of exhuming Volyn massacre victims is resolved, according to a new poll published on Jan. 30.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls Fico 'Kremlin's mouthpiece,' summons Slovak ambassador over recent remarks
Ukraine expressed "deep disappointment" over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's statements after he called President Volodymyr Zelensky "the enemy" of Slovakia.
EU debates restarting Russian gas purchases as part of Ukraine peace deal, FT reports
The proposal's advocates, including Hungarian and German officials, argue that the move could give both Russia and Europe incentives to maintain a ceasefire while stabilizing the continent's energy market, the Financial Times wrote.
EU not considering banning Russian LNG until it secures alternatives, Reuters reports
The European Commission will not propose implementing a ban on Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports in its upcoming sanctions package amid concern among member states about first securing an alternative from other countries, including the United States, EU diplomats told Reuters on Jan. 29.
EU to propose phased ban on Russian aluminum in new sanctions package, Bloomberg reports
The sanctions will also cut off more Russian banks from the SWIFT banking system, and target an additional 70 vessels suspected to be part of Russia’s "shadow-fleet."
Kallas, Rubio discuss Ukraine in first official phone call
EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Jan. 28 in their first official phone conversation since the Trump administration took office.
Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025
Earlier, the Italian Senate approved the measure with 192 votes in favor and 41 against.
EU considering new trade regime with Ukraine, media reports
While the European Commission allegedly does not plan to reinstate pre-war trade rules, it is considering alternatives within the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) framework, including quotas for agricultural products and additional safeguards.
Trump 'helped' persuade Hungary to unblock EU Russia sanctions, Polish FM claims
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski believes Trump's recent threats of sanctions against Moscow played a role in Hungary's decision to withdraw its veto.
EU agrees to ease sanctions on Syria following Assad's fall, chief diplomat says
"While we aim to move fast, the lifting of sanctions can be reversed if wrong steps are taken," EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas posted on X, adding that the EU plans to scale up humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in Syria.
EU suspends visa privileges for Georgian officials over democratic backsliding
"Fundamental rights and democratic values are core principles of EU integration. Officials that represent a country which trample down these values should not benefit from easier access to the EU," said Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland's interior minister.
EU to continue talks with Ukraine on gas supplies to Europe, including Hungary, Slovakia, Reuters reports
"The (European) Commission is ready to continue discussions with Ukraine on the supply to Europe through the gas pipeline system in Ukraine," the statement said.
EU screening of Ukraine’s legislation to continue until fall of 2025
If Ukraine fulfills all the requirements, the Commission expects the launch of cluster negotiations, starting with Cluster I, "Fundamentals," "as soon as possible" in 2025.
EU foreign ministers agree to extend Russia sanctions after Hungary’s delays
"This will continue to deprive Moscow of revenues to finance its war. Russia needs to pay for the damage they are causing," EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said.
Hungary receives 'requested guarantees' from EU on energy transit, Hungarian FM says
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement that his country has "received the requested guarantees" regarding energy security.
Hungary blocks EU statement condemning Belarus election as undemocratic, RFE/RL reports
Without unanimous support from all 27 EU countries, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas issued her own statement, declaring that the January 26 election in Belarus was "neither free nor fair."
Russia could challenge EU's defense readiness within 5 years, Kallas says
Speaking at a European Defense Agency meeting on Jan. 22, EU's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas stressed that the bloc must act decisively to counter Russia's growing militarization. "We are running out of time. The Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and ours. They are buying us time."
EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, von der Leyen says
The EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, while only 3% of its oil is imported from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21.
German FM urges Scholz to act and support aid to Ukraine amid election campaign
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has urged Chancellor Olaf Scholz to avoid politicizing aid to Ukraine during Germany's election campaign, n-tv reported on Jan. 20.
Fico accuses Slovak opposition leader of 'kissing Zelensky's ring'
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused opposition leader Michal Simecka of "kissing Zelensky's ring" during his recent visit to Kyiv and said the pro-Western MP wanted to stage a coup d'etat in Bratislava.
Ukraine ready to help Slovakia achieve energy stability, Zelensky says
"We are ready to help the Slovak people in ensuring their energy stability and security," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Belarus Weekly: Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills
OSCE observers not invited to monitor upcoming presidential election in Belarus. Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills with Russia. Belarus sentences EU diplomatic staffer to four years in prison. Subscribe to the Newsletter Belarus Weekly Join us Irregular crossings into EU from eastern
Netherlands announces $27 million in aid for Ukraine following Dutch Foreign Minister's visit to Kyiv
Following his visit to Kyiv, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced 27 million euros ($27.8 million) in new aid for Ukraine on Jan. 16.
Fico may meet with Zelensky in 'next few days'
"We are looking for another date, which should be in the next few days," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
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