The latest report on EU agri-food trade published by the European Commission shows that, in the first five months of 2026, the EU’s agri-food trade surplus stood at €19.4 billion, €1 billion more than in the same period of 2025. The value of the EU’s agri-food exports totalled €96,900 million between January and May 2026, […]
The Council amends the Ukraine Plan to reflect funding of more than 8,000 million euros under the Ukraine Facility for 2026
The Council on 30 of july adopted a decision amending the Ukraine Support Mechanism and its associated Ukraine Plan. The Ukraine Plan sets out a roadmap of ambitious reforms that Ukraine must carry out before disbursements are made under the Mechanism. The amendments provide for additional funding of €8.3 billion for 2026, to be provided […]
EU countries have approved the UK’s involvement to help meet Ukraine’s urgent defence needs
On 22 July, EU countries approved the UK’s participation in the loan to support Ukraine, a €90 billion package to help meet Ukraine’s most pressing needs in 2026 and 2027 as it continues to face Russia’s war of aggression. “The EU’s solidarity with Ukraine is a key priority of the Irish Presidency. Today’s approval reflects […]
The Commission is launching the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance with the aim of promoting drone and anti-drone technology
The European Commission officially launched the EU-Ukraine Alliance for Drone Development during the third EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum, held in Kyiv. This Alliance will enable the EU and Ukraine to collaborate more closely on the development and use of drones and systems to intercept hostile drones. It forms part of the EU’s wider efforts to […]
The EU begins accession negotiations with Ukraine on foreign policy
The EU and Ukraine took another important step in the accession process by launching negotiations on the so-called ‘external relations’ thematic group (Group 6). This is a key thematic group within the EU’s accession negotiation framework, which sets out the parameters for how candidate countries must align their international, trade and defence policies with those […]
Enlargement: Parliament commends Ukraine’s progress despite the war
On 8 July, MEPs called for a constructive debate on how to take Ukraine’s European integration forward, taking into account the European Union’s strategic interests. In its annual assessment of Ukraine’s progress on reforms related to the EU accession process, the European Parliament welcomed the opening, in June 2026, of the first chapter in the […]
The Commission proposes to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine for a further year
On 26 June, the European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for one further year for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, taking into account Ukraine’s overall capacity to defend itself. With this measure, the Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary. Russia has continued its unprovoked war […]
MEPs back the EU’s new defence innovation programme
The bill aims to respond to the new security environment brought about by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in which rapid, low-cost cycles of defence innovation are essential. On Thursday,the Committee on Industry, Research and Energyand theCommittee on Security and Defenceadopted their position on the establishment of the Agile and Rapid Defence Innovation Programme […]
Stable funding for the priorities set out in the 2027 annual budget
The European Commission has proposed that the EU’s annual budget for 2027 be set at €200 billion (in commitment appropriations). The draft budget also takes into account the conclusions of the mid-term review of cohesion policy for 2021–2027. Member States are encouraged to use these resources for the Union’s new priorities in the areas of […]