Hungary is not opposing the adoption of the European Union’s 17th sanctions package against Russia and it could be officially approved as early as May 2025.

The European Parliament has extended the trade visa-free regime – the suspension of quotas and customs duties – for Ukrainian iron and steel for three years, in view of the fact that the general autonomous trade measures for Ukrainian exports to the EU are set to expire on 6 June 2025.

Brussels plans to introduce transitional measures to protect Ukrainian exporters if the European Commission and Kyiv fail to amend the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement by 5 June, when the autonomous trade measures, known as the trade visa-free regime, expire.

The European Commission is working to open all negotiation clusters during Ukraine's EU accession talks in 2025.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that fast-tracking Ukraine's accession to the European Union could serve as the strongest security guarantee for the country once peace is achieved.

The European Union will completely halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, minimise Russian oil imports, intensify efforts against Russia's shadow fleet and significantly reduce dependence on Russia in the nuclear sector, including limiting enriched uranium supplies.

On 8 May, the European Parliament will vote on introducing a preferential export regime for steel and iron from Ukraine after the general autonomous trade preferences for Ukrainian exports to the EU (the so-called trade visa-free regime) expire on 6 June 2025.

The European Commission does not plan to extend the regime of Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) for Ukraine (the so-called trade visa-free regime), which is set to expire on 5 June, but it will ensure a smooth transition to a new framework in which all trade liberalisation conditions will be formalised under the EU-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement.

Germany will continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, remaining its strongest supporter in Europe. Meanwhile, the country plans to strengthen its armed forces and increase investment in its defence industry.

European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper has stated that the deployment of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine demonstrates that Russia is not interested in peace and is a sign of its desperation, as it has been isolated and weakened by EU sanctions.

The process of screening Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law as part of accession negotiations has reached the halfway mark.

The process of screening (checking the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law) within the framework of accession negotiations with Ukraine is proceeding at an unprecedented speed for the European Union.

The European Union is discussing the possible deployment of military advisers to Ukraine to organise the training of Ukrainian troops.

Slovakia committed itself in 2022 to rejecting invitations to any political events held in Russia under a Council of the EU decision and must abide by this commitment.