News about EU

While the Latvian government is discussing how to implement the promised ban on trade with Russia, Russia itself can solve part of the problem.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) Ludmila Katlabuga at the Zero Waste Forum 2026 (“Zero Waste 2026”) held in Istanbul on June 5-7 under the theme “The Road to Antalya. Zero Waste as a measure to combat climate change”.

Nigeria, Niger and Algeria have commenced construction of the 4128 kilometer Trans-Sahara gas pipeline to reduce the European Union’s (EU) dependence on Russia.

Germany has set a new historic high in the number of citizenships granted: some 332,500 people will receive German passports in 2025.

From July 1, new fuel designations will appear at gas stations in Ukraine – E5, E10 and B7, which will indicate the content of biocomponents in gasoline and diesel. The innovation applies only to the system of fuel labeling in accordance with EU standards. The familiar gasoline grades A-95 and A-92 will not disappear, their labeling will not change.

A publication has circulated on social networks claiming that Latvia has defied Brussels. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said that the country would not accept new migrants and would not pay 20,000 euros each, as demanded by Brussels.

Ahead of the June 18 EU summit, a number of members led by France are pushing for a tougher line on Beijing, warning that Chinese overproduction and cheap exports are undermining the European economy.

Armenia is holding regular parliamentary elections. The citizens of the country will have to elect a new National Assembly for a five-year term. As a result of the elections, the government will be formed and the future Prime Minister of the country will be determined.

The partially recognized western Balkan state is holding another early election. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s “Self-Determination” movement is considered the main contender for victory

Armenia is holding regular elections to the National Assembly, the country’s parliament, on June 7. The vote is seen as one of the most important in recent years, as it will actually determine the future foreign policy course of the republic, relations with Russia and the West, as well as the consolidation of the course for a peaceful settlement with Azerbaijan.

The U.S. Defense Secretary’s words came amid Washington’s recent announcement on the reduction of the U.S. contingent in Europe.

Today, nine states wish to join the European Union. The process is delayed due to the complicated accession procedure. However, as early as 2028, the European Union may admit a new, 28th member.

Paramount Skydance Corp. is willing to sell some of its children’s TV assets to win European Union approval for its deal to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. The price tag is $110 billion.

Financing for renewable energy projects in the Baltic and Eastern European countries is now available, and the main challenge is not finding money, but power consumers.

NATO countries are discussing an initiative to allocate about 70bn euros of military support to Ukraine. The proposal may be presented at the alliance’s summit in Ankara in July.

Spain has become the largest buyer of Ukrainian sunflower oil in the 2025/26 marketing season. At the same time, India, which a few months ago led the ranking of importers of this product from Ukraine, dropped to the second position.

Markus Wichel, member of the Swedish Riksdag with fourteen years of parliamentary experience, member of the Riksdag Committee on Foreign Affairs, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and co-founder of the Sweden-Moldova Friendship Group, visited the BPM PC Strand (BPM-TRADE SRL) factory in Chisinau.

The initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, proposing to introduce the status of “associate member” for Moldova, Ukraine and Western Balkan countries, is regarded by experts as a creative but purely political solution, which risks turning the path to full membership into a “receivership” for an indefinite period of time.

Moldova is implementing a new mechanism for calculating and adjusting the minimum wage in accordance with the EU Adequate Minimum Wages Directive. The government will be obliged to review this indicator annually, using 50% of the projected average monthly wage for the economy as a benchmark.

The Baltic States face equipment shortages for key technologies to counter drone incursions. This could slow down their efforts to close the gaps.