Ukraine calendar: What will happen this week

Editor's note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' public newsletter, The Week Ahead, covering events from May 26-31. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday.

Next week will see big developments for Ukraine across the EU. On May 27, the Council of the European Union will hold a hearing on Hungary's voting rights suspension. Whilst this might not yield a full suspension (This marks the eighth hearing regarding Budapest's alleged violations of EU founding principles), the hearing is likely to ratchet up pressure on Europe’s most openly anti-Ukraine leader.

Also on May 27, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will approve the €150 bn Defense Fund. The fund, which was passed via fast-track legislation, is a large step towards European comprehensive rearmament. For Kyiv, the clause to allow the money to purchase imports from Ukraine, represents a significant move toward Ukrainian integration into the broader European defense industry.

Reuters reported that next week, Ukraine will urge tougher EU sanctions on Russia amidst American hesitation.  Before the EU passes its 18th package of sanctions, Ukraine hopes to frame the conversation with its 40-page white paper to the EU, advocating for more aggressive sanctions against Russia. The recommendations include legislation to expedite the seizure and transfer of Russian assets to Ukraine and imposing secondary sanctions on non-EU buyers of Russian oil, potentially affecting nations like India and China.

This comes as Bloomberg reports that the EU is mulling cutting a further 20 banks from the SWIFT payment system. The European Commission is also considering significant reductions to the G7 oil price cap, a move that would likely require significant US support.

Further ahead, eyes in Kyiv will be focused on the second round of the Polish presidential elections happening on June 1. The contest will likely not radically change Poland’s approach to Ukraine, but with PIS candidate Nawrocki’s path to a majority reliant on votes from far-right candidates, expect an intensification of anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in the final week of campaigning.

Events and Milestones:

Diplomatic, Business, and Cultural:

• 27-29 May, 16:00 EEST Visegrad Insights’ ‘State of Poland’ (security, economy, society) webinars. These conversations will cover the second round of Poland’s 2025 presidential election, the impact of candidates’ presidencies on Poland’s security and economic policies? Sign up here.
• May 28, 15:00 EEST - CES event: Can Ukraine maintain financial stability without raising taxes?’ This event covers the Ukrainian government’s compliance with its commitments to international partners, invited speakers include Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Taxation and Customs Policy. Sign up here.
• May 28, 11:00 EEST - DIXY group’s Energy Security Talks webinar: ‘What to expect in Ukraine’s energy system this summer?’. The event will cover: an overview of the current state of the energy system, summer forecasts, and practical solutions for improving resilience. Sign up here.

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