Media: Hungary obstructs decision on Ukraine accession talks among EU members
Hungary is preventing consensus among EU members on the start of Ukraine's accession talks, Interfax Ukraine reported on June 7, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
European Union
European Commission says Ukraine ready to start accession talks
"Now we expect our European partners to take the next step – to start the membership negotiations already this month," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.
Dutch political parties' websites attacked on EU election day, Russian hacking group claims responsibility
The websites of three Dutch political parties came under attack by a Russian hacking group as the Netherlands kicked off voting for the European elections, Dutch media reported on June 6.
FT: EU pushing to start Ukraine accession talks before Hungary assumes bloc presidency in weeks
The European Commission will recommend the EU start accession talks with Ukraine before July, when Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the Financial Times (FT) reported on June 7.
Parliament ratifies EU Ukraine Facility framework agreement, Ukraine to receive more than $17 billion in 2024
Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, ratified on June 6 the terms for which Kyiv will receive 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in macro-finance support from the EU until 2027, known as the Ukraine Facility.
12 EU countries urge Belgium to speed up Ukraine and Moldova EU accession talks
Czech Minister for European Affairs Martín Dvořák has urged the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK).
Why European elections matter for Ukraine
Starting on June 6, citizens of the European Union will head to the voting booths to elect the bloc's 720-member European Parliament. The election, held between June 6 and June 9 and often downplayed as irrelevant by voters, will have a major impact on EU domestic and foreign policy, among
FT: US proposes $50 billion Ukraine loan conditional on EU extending sanctions against Russia until end of war
The U.S. has proposed that a $50 billion loan to Ukraine could be repaid by profits from frozen Russian assets, on the condition that the EU agrees to extend sanctions against Russia until the end of the war, the Financial Times reported on June 5, citing a leaked EU discussion paper.
G7, EU want to target banks helping Russia evade sanctions, Bloomberg reports
In particular, the allies are considering steps against banks using SPFS, Russia's alternative to the SWIFT messaging system, to circumvent trade restrictions, the outlet said.
Chechen man arrested in France for plotting terrorist attack on Olympics, authorities say
The French Interior Ministry did not provide any more details but said it was the first terrorist plot targeting the Olympics that had been foiled.
Ukraine to receive 1st tranche of frozen Russian assets revenue this summer, EU official says
The legal framework within which the funds will be transferred is still in progress, according to David O'Sullivan. The EU sanctions envoy hopes that the decision will be made in "a few weeks."
EU approves higher tariffs on Russian, Belarusian grain
This follows a proposal by the European Commission from March 22, disgned to cut down Moscow's profits and shield the EU market.
Blinken meets with Sandu in Moldova, announces $50 million in support
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Moldova on May 29 to meet with President Maia Sandu and announce support worth $50 million to help Chisinau transition away from Russian energy dependence and further integrate with the EU, amid warnings of heightened hybrid threats from Russia.
Belgian, French police raid European Parliament employee’s properties amid Russian propaganda investigation
Police in Belgium and France have conducted raids on properties and an office connected to an employee of the European Parliament due to indications he played a "significant role" in promoting Russian propaganda, the Belgian Federal Public Prosecutor's Office reported on May 29.
Opinion: The global implications of Georgia's political crisis
As the West’s political leaders become increasingly preoccupied with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, they risk losing their geopolitical influence in a small but strategically significant Black Sea country: Georgia. On April 29, in one of his rare public appearances, Bidzina Ivanishvili – the founder and de facto
EU ministers frustrated as Hungary blocks $7 billion in military aid for Ukraine
Hungary is blocking three separate 500-million-euro ($540 million) tranches under the European Peace Facility (EFF) fund, as well as 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) allocated for the Ukraine Assistance Fund, established within the EFF's framework.
EU announces new sanctions against Russia for Navalny's death, human rights violations
The European Union has established a new sanctions regime against Russia in connection with the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the "accelerating and systematic repression in Russia," the Council of the EU announced on May 27.
Bloomberg: EU wants to follow up peace summit with conference with Russia in autumn, sources say
The EU is discussing how to progress from Ukranie's global peace summit in June to a possible meeting with Russian participation in Saudi Arabia in autumn, Bloomberg reported on May 27, citing undisclosed official sources.
EU sanctions Medvedchuk, Marchevskyi, Voice of Europe
At Czechia's proposal, the EU has sanctioned former Ukrainian politician and pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, the Czech Foreign Ministry said on May 27.
Russian shell production three times greater than of Ukraine's allies
Using publicly available data, consulting firm Bain & Company claims that Russian factories can produce or refurbish 4.5 million 152 mm shells for $1,000 per round this year. European countries and the U.S. are only expected to produce 1.3 million 155 mm shells combined at an average cost of $4,000 per unit.
Borrell calls on Europe to increase air defense support in wake of Kharkiv attack
"These systematic Russian crimes against civilians and civilian infrastructure stress again the need for Europe to urgently ramp up support for air defense."
FT: Hungary holding up EU's use of frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian defense
Hungary is holding up legislation that would allow the European Union to send billions of dollars in profits from frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian aid, according to a report by the Financial Times.
Opinion: Is Europe too big for further enlargement?
Earlier this month, the European Union celebrated the 20th anniversary of its biggest-ever enlargement, which brought 10 new members into the bloc. That event remains a potent reminder of the EU’s potential to advance peace and unity across the European continent. But, at a time of deep internal divisions
Man who shot Fico cites policy towards Ukraine as motivation for assassination attempt
The man charged with shooting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico cited his country's policy towards Ukraine as a motivation for the attempted assassination, Slovak media reported on May 23.
FT: EU countries push for visa-free travel suspension, other sanctions against Georgia over 'foreign agents ' law
Estonia, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Sweden are among several EU countries pushing for sanctions against Georgia in response to its government's passing of the controversial "foreign agents" law, the Financial Times (FT) reported on May 22, citing official sources.
Belgium says it is 'committed' to starting Ukraine's EU accession negotiations in June
Belgian Foreign Minister Hayda Lahbib's comments followed reporting by Politico earlier on May 21 that officials from the EU and Ukraine are pushing to begin accession negotiations by June 25.
Moldova, EU sign pact on security, defense
"It (partnership) will allow to jointly address common security challenges, make our engagement more effective and explore new areas of cooperation," European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell said.
EU Council approves using Russian assets revenue to fund Ukraine
"Up to 3 billion euros ($3.26 billion) (could be raised) only this year, 90% goes for Ukraine's military. Russia must pay for its war damages," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said.
Politico: EU, Ukraine push for membership talks to start on June 25
According to Politico, intense diplomacy is being undertaken aimed at convincing the Hungarian government to drop their objections to Kyiv's membership to the bloc.
Tusk: Poland signs contract with European Investment Bank to join Sky Shield Initiative
According to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the Polish government signed a contract with the European Investment Bank (EIB) worth 300 million euros (around $326 million) to construct its part of the pan-European air defense.
EU suspends 4 more Russian propaganda outlets
Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta were recognized as such that spread and supported Russian propaganda and the war against Ukraine.
Moldova to hold referendum on joining EU in October
The European Council agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova last December. Chisinau has moved closer to Europe over recent months amid repeated warnings that the Kremlin is attempting to carry out a destabilization campaign inside the country's borders.
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