Europe too 'reticent' in energy support for Ukraine ahead of winter, IEA chief says
According to the IEA report, Ukraine's electricity shortage could reach 6 GW this winter, which is about one-third of the expected peak demand.
European Union
Von der Leyen arrives in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's energy needs with Zelensky
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Sept. 20 to discuss Ukraine's energy needs ahead of the coming winter.
EU considering ending Georgia's visa-free access over ruling party's democratic backsliding
"All options are on the table" if Georgia does not reverse its trend toward authoritarianism, "including the potential temporary suspension of the visa liberalization scheme," a spokesperson for the European Commission told Politico.
Germany plans additional $445 million in aid for Ukraine in 2024, AFP reports
According to the document seen by AFP — a letter to the parliamentary budget committee — additional funds are needed to "fulfill the German government's support commitments to the Ukrainian armed forces."
Bulgaria to ask EU to suspend egg imports from Ukraine
"When the import of a certain type of product or commodity — vegetables, meat, eggs — reaches certain limits that the European Commission has outlined in advance, then we can activate the mechanism of banning their import. We are currently doing this in terms of eggs," Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Georgi Takhov said.
EU aims to cover 25% of Ukraine's energy needs in winter, von der Leyen says ahead of Kyiv visit
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kyiv on Sept. 20 to discuss Ukraine's energy needs with President Volodymyr Zelensky, she said on Sept. 19.
EU allocates over $100 million from Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine in winter
"Russia must pay for the destruction it caused," von der Leyen said.
Why Russia still rakes in cash transporting gas through Ukraine: 4 key charts
While Russia's deadly war rages on Ukraine's soil, one unexpected aspect of the invasion is that natural gas continues to flow through Ukraine from Russia, with both sides profiting from the deal and – to an extent – financing each other's war machines. That is expected to change when their deal expires
Von der Leyen names new European Commission with pro-Ukraine figures leading diplomacy, defense
For the first time in history, the European Commission will include the position of defense commissioner. Former Lithuanian Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius will take up the new post overseeing the EU's defense policy.
EU preparing to raise up to 40 billion euros in loans for Ukraine without US, FT reports
The EU is preparing to gather up to 40 billion euros ($44.5 billion) in loans for Ukraine as Budapest keeps disrupting plans on a joint loan with the U.S., the Financial Times reported on Sept. 16, citing sources and a draft proposal.
EU ready for end of Russian gas transit via Ukraine, commissioner says
Europe is "fully committed" to phasing out Russian gas and is "ready to live without this Russian gas coming from the Ukrainian transit route," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said on Sept. 11.
Russian oligarchs, financial company lose appeal against EU sanctions
Russian oligarchs Gennady Timchenko and Mikhail Fridman and Russia's National Settlement Depository on Sept. 11 lost their appeal against EU sanctions imposed against them.
EU to remove ex-Formula 1 racer, Prigozhin's mother from Russia sanctions list, RFE/RL reports
Hungary, which has repeatedly opposed sanctions on Russia and undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, once again reportedly demanded that several people be removed from the sanctions list in exchange for their support.
Portugal urges EU to begin making preparations for Ukraine's eventual membership
Portugal is advocating for Ukraine's entry into the European Union and is urging the EU to start preparing for this possibility, Bloomberg reports.
Zelensky meets Dutch far-right leader Wilders in Italy
President Volodymyr Zelensky met Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders on the sidelines of the Cernobbio Forum in Italy on Sept. 7.
Negotiations underway on Azeri gas transit to EU via Ukraine, Azerbaijan says
Negotiations are underway between Azerbaijan and the EU, Moscow, and Kyiv on supplying natural gas to Europe via Ukraine, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sept. 6 at the Cernobbio Forum in Italy
EU provides $44 million for energy aid ahead of winter
The EU is providing Ukraine with a $44 million (40 million euro) humanitarian aid package to assist with energy repair works ahead of winter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Sept. 6.
Notorious Russian military intelligence unit carrying out cyber attacks on Western countries, agencies warn
A notorious unit of Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU) is carrying out cyber attacks against critical infrastructure in NATO and EU countries, as well as Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies warned on Sept. 5.
Belarus to host 'migration conference' in November 2024 with participation of some EU ministers
Belarus plans to host an international conference on combating illegal migration in November 2024, with participation from some European Union ministers, according to Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov.
Ukraine-skeptic parties win big in German state elections, tilting political landscape in Russia's favor
The continued rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) entered a new chapter on Sept. 1, when the controversial far-right party came first in Thuringia's state election. AfD won around 33% of the vote in Thuringia, a state of 2 million people in Germany's east. The results mark the first time
Volhynian Massacre — the Achilles heel of Ukrainian-Polish relations
Speaking on Polish television in late July, Poland’s Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz reminded Ukrainians that even his country’s overwhelming support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia has its limits. Ukraine could never expect Poland’s backing in joining the EU if it didn’t “resolve” the historical
EU to train additional 15,000 Ukrainian troops by end of 2024, Borrell says
Defense ministers of European Union states agreed to increase the number of Ukrainian military personnel trained under the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM) program, the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Aug. 30.
Ukraine receiving shells from Prague-led initiative on schedule, Czech foreign minister says
The Prague-led ammunition initiative is delivering supplies to Ukraine on schedule, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Aug. 29.
Budapest against 'more weapons in Ukraine,' Hungarian foreign minister says
Hungary does "not want more weapons in Ukraine" and does not want "an escalation of the war," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Facebook on Aug. 29 after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.
EU to speed up arms, energy equipment deliveries to Ukraine, Kuleba says
The European Union will speed up the delivery of weapons and equipment for Ukraine's energy system, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after an informal meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels on Aug. 29.
EU considers Kyiv's request to train soldiers inside Ukraine, media reports
Some EU member nations fear that trainings on Ukrainian soil will lead to escalated conflict with Russia, according to a document obtained by Politico.
Borrell calls for lifting ban on Ukraine's use of Western long-range weapons after Russian mass attack on Aug. 26
Borrell had previously advocated lifting the ban for Ukraine, but he raised the issue again after Russia's recent attack on Aug. 26, in which it used 127 missiles and 109 drones against Ukraine.
Nordic, Baltic countries express concern to EU over Hungary's easing of entry rules for Russians
Hungary's decision to ease entry rules for Russians "may constitute a serious security risk," leaders of Nordic and Baltic countries said in a joint letter to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Aug. 16.
Kyiv receives $4.6 billion from EU under Ukraine Facility program
Ukraine has received 4.2 billion euros ($4.6 billion) as part of the EU's four-year financial support program, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Aug. 13.
Opinion: The EU should help Ukrainian refugees return home
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, millions of Ukrainians found refuge in the European Union, with Germany and Poland alone taking in about one million refugees each. But this was always meant to be a temporary solution. The protracted war of attrition that is
'Ukraine has legal right to defend itself,' EU says on incursion in Russia's Kursk Oblast
"The EU continues to fully support Ukraine's legitimate right to defense against Russian aggression and its efforts to restore sovereignty and territorial integrity," European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano said.
Council of EU approves $4.6 billion under Ukraine Facility
The funds will support "Ukraine's macro-financial stability and the functioning of its public administration."
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