EU, Ukraine finalize text of security deal
The EU is expected to join 16 countries, including the U.S., Japan, U.K., Germany, and France, that have signed similar bilateral treaties to help Kyiv repel Russia's aggression.
European Union
Polish attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees deteriorating, survey shows
In more than two years of the full-scale war, Poles see Ukrainian refugees more negatively in almost all aspects, except for accepting Ukrainian children to schools, according to a survey by the University of Warsaw and the University of Economics and Humanities in Warsaw published by Rzeczpospolita on June 18.
Russia turns to blackmail, big money in effort to recruit German spies, Berlin officials say
Russia is "working hard" to counter the expulsion of diplomats from Germany by turning to blackmail and the lure of big payouts to recruit spies, Berlin officials said on June 18.
Zelensky signs law on single roaming zone with EU
Under the "roam like at home" (RLAH) program, Ukrainians will not pay additional charges to use their mobile phone for communications and the Internet in the 27 EU countries. The same rules will apply to users of European operators traveling to Ukraine.
Finnish president: Ukraine in a 'position of strength' for path to peace
Finnish President Alexander Stubb noted that this week has favored Ukraine. He highlighted the G7 summit, the start of EU negotiations, NATO support, and Ukraine's summit, which gathered over 100 representatives. "(Ukraine is) much stronger than what it was three weeks ago, let alone three months ago," he said.
EU ambassadors approve starting accession talks with Ukraine on June 25
EU ambassadors agreed on the framework for the EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova, allowing talks to start on June 25, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU announced on June 14.
Reuters: 8 EU states call for restricting Russian diplomats' movement
"Free movement of holders of Russian diplomatic and service passports, accredited in one host state, across the whole Schengen area is easing malign activities," the letter to EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Opinion: Europe faces 3 choices in combating the far-right surge
Far-right populist parties performed exceptionally well in the European Parliament elections, finishing first in France, Italy, and three other countries. They won nearly a quarter of the seats in the Parliament, just behind the center right. With Europe already reeling from Russia's war in Ukraine, the threat of a second
MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 59
Editor’s note: This is issue 59 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukrainian Economy in Brief” newsletter, covering events from June 3–June 10, 2024. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with
Ukraine war latest: Major reconstruction aid announced at Ukraine Recovery Conference
Key developments on June 11: * New assistance announced for Ukraine at Ukraine Recovery Conference * Ukraine controls Ivanivske near Chasiv Yar, battles ongoing in Staromaiorske, military says * Ukraine shot down Russian Su-25 aircraft, military says * Media: G7 to create Ukraine aid fund using income from frozen Russian assets * It's time for
Russia may store 100 nuclear warheads in Kaliningrad Oblast, Polish FM claims
Russia might be storing up to 100 nuclear warheads in Kaliningrad Oblast, located approximately 260 km (160 miles) from Warsaw, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski claimed on June 11, during the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
In rare defense investment, Ireland will spend around $13 million to replenish EU arms stocks
Ireland is not a member of NATO, and has one of the lowest rates of defense spending across the EU, at around .2% of its GDP.
Von der Leyen: Ukraine to receive 3.4 billion euros from EU this summer
Ukraine will receive 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in Russian frozen assets revenue in July and 1.9 billion euros ($2 billion) under the Ukraine Facility already this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 11.
Moldovan President Sandu approves changes to treason law despite concerns from opposition, Amnesty International
The changes, which were approved by the parliament the previous week, apply some wartime treason laws to peacetime, extend punishments, and create a new category of laws for assisting a foreign state.
Energy security and EU accession: What this year's Ukraine recovery conference is all about (INTERVIEW)
Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction are impossible to separate from the country’s EU integration and accession aspirations. If the country wants to enter the EU, it will have to get its rules and regulations in line with the bloc, across every field. Many of these reforms will involve sectors
'The center is holding,' von der Leyen declares despite far-right gains
Ursula von der Leyen said she wants to continue to cooperate with "those who are pro-European, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law."
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announces resignation
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced plans to resign after the defeat of his party, the liberal Open VLD, in the country's federal elections held June 9.
Macron dissolves French parliament, calls election after exit polls project far-right gains in EU election
French President Emmanuel Macron announced snap elections on June 9, after the far-right National Rally emerged as the projected winner of the French elections for the European Parliament.
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 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.
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