Estonia considers closing its border with Russia
Estonia announced that the country may be forced to close its border crossing points with Russia due to increased migration pressures, Estonian Police and Border Guard announced on Feb. 13.
European Union
Czech farmers set to join protests, border blockade over Ukrainian imports
Protesters will obstruct a highway in Prague on Feb. 19 to bring attention to the demands of Czech farmers, who say EU policies and imports from Ukraine are hurting the agriculture sector.
Polish farmer blockade puts Polish-Ukrainian relations at further risk
Polish farmers have again taken to the border with neighboring Ukraine in their new month-long strike against EU policies and unfair competition from abroad. The Solidarity trade union announced on Feb. 9 that it would begin blocking roads and border crossings with Ukraine until March 10. The group then announced
EU agrees on new measures to isolate frozen Russian funds
The European Council said on Feb. 12 that central securities depositaries (CSDs) holding more than 1 million euros ($1.07 million) in assets from the Russian Central Bank must separate any profits generated from the primary accounts.
Association head warns of closure of Ukrainian sugar factories due to EU import curbs
The European Commission earlier proposed caps on the "most sensitive" Ukrainian food products, namely sugar, poultry, and eggs.
Borrell: We need to explain to Europeans what it means to have Russian army at the door
It is necessary to explain to European citizens before the June parliamentary elections what it would mean to see Ukraine defeated and the Russian army move to EU borders, said Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat, in an interview with EuroEFE published on Feb. 9.
Zelensky, Borrell meet in Kyiv, discuss security cooperation, ammunition deliveries
President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met in Kyiv on Feb. 7 to discuss security cooperation between Kyiv and the EU and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, among other topics, the Presidential Office reported.
EU promises to deliver over 1 million shells by end of year
"We highly appreciate the military assistance of the EU," said Shmyhal, who held a joint press conference with Borrell. "The European defense industry is building up its capabilities, and I'm sure we'll feel it soon."
Kuleba meets with Portuguese FM in Kyiv
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba thanked his Portuguese counterpart, Joao Cravinho, for his "personal firm position in support of Ukraine" and said the two discussed Ukraine's peace formula, Ukraine's accession into NATO and the EU, and further Portuguese military assistance.
Von der Leyen: EU aims to start payments of $54 billion Ukraine Facility fund in March
"Last night’s political agreement on the 50 billion euro ($54 billion) Ukraine Facility is a major step forward," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Feb. 6.
EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell arrives in Kyiv
Josep Borrell, the EU's chief diplomat, arrived in Kyiv on Feb. 6, media reported. This is Borrell's fourth visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale war.
EU Council, European Parliament reach provisionary agreement on $54 billion Ukraine Facility
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU had concluded a preliminary agreement on the Ukraine Facility of 50 billion euros ($54 billion), the Council's press service said on Feb. 6.
FT: German hesitation over EU defense fund reforms could delay Ukraine aid
Countries like France and Germany with existing military-industrial capacity would like to see a shift away from the reimbursement model to the EU directly funding arms contracts and are pushing for such a transition to occur quickly.
Ukraine’s path to EU accession paved with reforms
When European leaders agreed to Ukraine’s accession talks in December 2023, the historic move was hailed in Kyiv as a recognition of years of struggle to get closer to the bloc since the EuroMaidan Revolution. The agreement came after a European Commission decision in November 2023 recommending talks begin
White House: EU funding for Ukraine no substitute for US leadership in military assistance
"But it's not a substitute for American leadership when it comes to security assistance. And that is why it’s so critical for us to continue to urge Congress to pass that national security supplemental," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.
Media: Orban's request to review Ukraine aid annually rejected
The aid deal includes a provision for a yearly discussion on the package and the potential to review it in two years "if needed," but there is no explicit veto for Hungary or any other member state.
BREAKING: All 27 EU leaders agree on 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine
All 27 leaders of EU member states agreed on an additional 50 billion euro support package for Ukraine within the EU budget, European Council President Charles Michel announced on Feb. 1.
EU determined to persuade Hungary to support Ukraine aid, accession talks
The 26 European Union member states are determined to overcome Hungary's objections and move forward with several key priorities for Ukraine in one of the most "complex, complicated, and difficult European Councils."
Poll: Only 5% of Ukrainians oppose joining EU, NATO
In total, 78% of Ukrainians would vote to join the EU if a referendum were held now and 77% are in favor of joining NATO, according to a poll released by the Rating Sociology Group on Nov. 29.
Parliament chairman: Ukraine to open office in European Parliament
The proposed move would help increase the compatibility of Ukraine's parliament with European institutions, Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk said, and would allow Ukrainian lawmakers to observe the operations and functions of the European Parliament.
From F-16s to frozen assets: How Dutch far-right's win could impact Ukraine
Nearly two decades after launching his far-right political party, mixing xenophobia with Euroskepticism, Geert Wilders emerged as the winner of the Dutch parliamentary elections on Nov. 22. "The winds of change are here," said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after potentially receiving one more ally. Wilders' Ukraine-skeptic and anti-immigration Party
Charles Michel: 'I don't think this counteroffensive has failed'
Ten years after Ukrainians took to the streets their dissatisfaction with what many saw as a nail into the coffin of the country's European future, the European Council president was in Kyiv promising that Ukraine would soon begin accession talks. "My goal is to do everything to make a positive
Bloomberg: EU readies plan for long-term military aid for Ukraine
The proposed measures will be discussed with EU ambassadors in the upcoming week, Bloomberg said, and with senior EU leadership in December.
Parliament passes bill to increase anti-corruption bureau staff in first reading
Ukraine's parliament passed in the first reading a draft law to increase the staff of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) from 700 to 1,000, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said on Nov. 21.
This Week in Ukraine Ep. 33 – Ukraine makes “substantial progress” in its EU bid
Episode #33 is dedicated to Ukraine’s recent successes in its decade-long journey towards the European Union.
Ukraine moves one step closer to joining EU. What’s next?
The European Commission’s historic decision on Nov. 8 recommending formal talks on Ukraine’s EU membership may be a milestone, but political hurdles, reforms, and years of negotiations still await before the country can finally join. After applying for EU membership on Feb. 28, 2022, just four days after
EU ambassador to Ukraine: ‘Even Putin can’t stop Ukraine’s accession’
Ukraine is now one step closer to its strategic goal of becoming a member of the European Union. On Nov. 8, the European Commission published its annual enlargement report. In it, the commission confirmed that Ukraine had completed enough of the steps laid out in seven recommendations it received from
Opinion: The geopolitics of EU enlargement
The debate surrounding the European Union’s potential expansion is no longer really about Ukraine and the western Balkans. Enlargement is now an existential question with far-reaching implications for the EU and its ability to remain a prominent player in a rapidly changing global environment. BERLIN – Where will Europe’s
Borrell in Kyiv: EU support for Ukraine has reached 85 billion euros
This includes 25 billion euros in military aid and 60 billion euros in humanitarian aid, Borrell said during his visit to Kyiv.
Zelensky meets European leaders in Moldova, discusses EU, NATO integration process and further military support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has travelled to Moldova for a meeting with European leaders as part of the 2nd European Political Community Summit, held on June 1. Zelensky listed military support, security guarantees, Ukraine's peace formula, and NATO and EU membership as important points on the agenda of the ongoing
Ukraine won't surrender Bakhmut, says Zelensky as Russia advances near
President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine "won't hand over Bakhmut." "We will fight as long as we can," he said during a joint press conference with European Union leadership. According to Zelensky, Russia will soon launch a major offensive in the east and northeast, targeting cities like Bakhmut and Lyman. The
Josep Borrell: Making Ukrainian victory possible
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in our op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. BRUSSELS – Almost one year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war is entering a new phase. Following the failed attack on Kyiv
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
'Don't come, there's nothing good here' — Chinese soldiers warn against following Russian propaganda to fight in Ukraine
4 things you need to know about Victoria Spartz, the Ukrainian-born US lawmaker
'Putin is pure evil' — Trump's spiritual advisor on Russia's war against Ukraine
