EU's Costa, von der Leyen to visit Kyiv on Feb. 24
The visit aims to reaffirm the EU's "support to the heroic Ukrainian people and to the democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelensky," European Council President Antonio Costa said.
European Union
Europe, rearming is cheaper than war
Europe urgently needs to rearm. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the broader threat that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime poses to Europe, requires nothing less. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has also now made clear that neither Ukraine nor America’s NATO allies can count on
Sanctions remain vital for maintaining international pressure on Russia, Deputy PM says
Sanctions against Russia remain a key tool of international pressure, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna said on Feb. 19.
Lithuania's president unveils 6-point plan to support Ukraine, strengthen European security
"We must act now to support Ukraine and boost Europe's security. No more talk shops — time for action," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda wrote on X.
Hungary again blocks EU sanctions against Moscow Patriarch Kirill
"Hungary also blocked sanctions against 27 individuals and organizations, including Patriarch Kirill, arguing that targeting religious leaders undermines peace efforts," a Hungarian government spokesperson said.
EU ambassadors agree on 16th package of Russia sanctions
EU ambassadors agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting aluminum imports and the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, Euronews reported on Feb. 19.
Ukraine and Moldova sign cooperation memorandum on EU accession
Ukraine and Moldova have signed a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen their efforts toward European Union integration and accession, Ukraine’s government press service reported.
EU plans $6.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine ahead of US-Russia talks, Politico reports
The package is expected to include 1.5 million artillery shells, air defense systems, and equipment for military brigades. According to Politico, the value of the aid could increase to 10 billion euros ($10.8 billion) depending on individual EU member states' contributions.
France to host second summit on Ukraine, European security, Reuters reports
Paris has now invited additional European countries and Canada to join the upcoming meeting, either in person or via video link, according to Reuters
EU must take Russia sanctions into 'its own hands,' commissioner says
The European Union must take greater control of its sanctions policy against Russia as U.S. priorities shift, EU Economy and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Feb. 18.
Ukraine calls for Europe to appoint high-level negotiator for US, Russia peace talks
Presidential Office Deputy Head Ihor Zhovkva stressed the urgency of appointing a European representative, saying, "It should be a quickly made decision. I hope right after the Paris meeting. We should act, not reflect."
Up to 30,000 European troops reportedly could be deployed to monitor Ukraine ceasefire, Washington Post reports
According to the publication, the estimated troop numbers emerged in response to a U.S. questionnaire sent to European countries asking them to assess their capabilities to support Kyiv.
Ukraine 'progresses meaningfully' in talks on foreign troop presence, Zelensky says
Zelensky described the development as a concrete step beyond diplomatic discussions, signaling a shift toward tangible international security cooperation.
Ukraine calendar: Events to look out for this week
Editor's note: This article is an on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Feb. 17-Feb. 23. Sign up here to start your week with an agenda of Ukraine-related events, delivered directly to your inbox every Sunday. European leaders will hold an emergency summit in Paris
One year following Navalny's death, West, Navalnaya condemn Putin's Russia
"Russia is increasingly waging an illegal war of aggression against Ukraine while continuing its domestic repression, persecuting those who advocate for democracy," EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said.
Europe needs 'special envoy' to take part in Ukraine peace talks, says Finnish President
"If there is a negotiating table, I think we need to do something similar to what was done in Kosovo. Europe needs to have a special envoy," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Feb. 16 at the Munich Security Conference.
Zelensky's proposed European army 'will not happen,' says Polish foreign minister
There will be no joint European Union army to counter Russian aggression and compensate any withdrawal in U.S. support, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said to local television late on Feb. 15, Reuters reported.
Editorial: America is folding. Europe, will you step up?
The U.S. administration is ready to hand Russia a win in its brutal war against Ukraine. That’s the only conclusion we can make after following the news this week. If anyone held onto hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump would be tough on Russia’s Vladimir Putin,
Orban sees Russia's 'reintegration' into world economy, Europe's energy after Ukraine deal
"If the U.S. president comes and creates peace, there is a deal, I think Russia will be reintegrated into the world economy." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
‘A push for Ukraine’s capitulation’ – Baltic, Eastern Europe react to Trump’s rush to negotiate peace with Putin
Editor's note: The article was updated on Feb. 14 to include the Latvian Foreign Ministry's comments. European nations, particularly Ukraine’s neighbors and the Baltic states, were stunned when the U.S. President Donald Trump suddenly announced the start of peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the
EU-Ukraine agri-trade reaches record $17 billion in 2024
Agricultural trade between Ukraine and the EU reached $17 billion in 2024, exceeding the previous record of $16.5 billion in 2022 by 3%, the Kyiv-based research Institute of Agrarian Economics (IAE) reported.
Europe can no longer view Trump’s foreign policy through a binary lens
Like people in other regions, Europeans face the challenge of discerning what motives underlie U.S. President Donald Trump’s verbal provocations. After all, what Trump really wants is often unclear, which makes it difficult to devise a strategically effective response. Traditionally, Europeans have interpreted American foreign policy through a
EU cannot replace USAID funding but sees opportunity to boost visibility, Kallas says
"We agreed that we are not automatically filling the void with European money because, first, we don't have those funds," Kallas said.
Europe fears bearing Ukraine's post-war costs amid exclusion from US-Russia talks, FT reports
European nations fear they will be left to shoulder the costs of post-war security and reconstruction in Ukraine as they remain excluded from U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war, the Financial Times reported on Feb. 13, citing senior European officials.
Russia's military spending surpasses Europe's as Putin ramps up war budget, study finds
In 2024, Russia’s total defense expenditures surged by 42% in real terms, reaching 13.1 trillion rubles. When adjusted for purchasing power parity—which accounts for differences in what money can buy in different countries—this amounts to $462 billion.
Hungarian deputy FM arrives in Ukraine, demands explanation for 'slander campaign'
Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar criticized Ukrainian officials for a so-called "slanderous campaign" against Hungary in a visit to Kyiv on Feb. 11.
Russia records worst-ever ranking in key corruption index
Transparency International highlighted that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has further entrenched authoritarianism, with the Kremlin suppressing dissent, redirecting resources to its military agenda, and eliminating independent voices.
Trump signs 25% tariff on steel, aluminum imports; Ukraine's economy to feel the effect
First Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that the decision to impose tariffs will naturally affect Ukraine's steel industry.
EU to review its foreign aid programs amid US decision to reform USAID
The European Commission will update the provision of foreign aid and make it more "targeted for partners," Bloomberg reported, citing the draft document.
As US cuts Ukraine funding, EU's lending arm steps in with nearly 1 billion euros in investments
The European Union's lending arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), has signed agreements to mobilize close to 1 billion euros ($1.03 billion) in investments into Ukraine’s public and private sectors as the U.S. moves to cut funding to development projects in the country. U.S. President Donald
EU vows retaliatory measures as Trump set to announce 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum
The European Commission criticized the decision as "unlawful and economically counterproductive," arguing that the deeply integrated supply chains between the EU and the U.S. would suffer under such restrictions.
Transnistria rejects EU aid offer under Moscow's pressure, Moldova's PM says
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that Tiraspol rejected the EU's financial assistance allegedly due to conditions attached to the aid package. He attributed the decision to Russian influence.
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