#European Union

The team of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the EU to cut the issuance of tourist visas to Russians to an 'absolute minimum.' The call came against the backdrop of accusations over the Leipzig attack and an investigation into the involvement of a Belarusian/Russian citizen.

According to Bild, 15–20 SVR, FSB and GRU agents may have worked under diplomatic cover at the Russian consulate in Bonn. Berlin links the closure of the mission not only to the incident in Leipzig.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Ireland that Madrid will continue and expand its supply of Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The statement came amid NATO pressure and the signing of a 1.7 billion dollar contract with Raytheon.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, stated that Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe, and called for strengthening sanctions, including adding around 1,620 individuals to lists, as well as tightening the regime for Russian diplomats.

Kaja Kallas announced the creation of a high-level EU defence working group that will include representatives from Ukraine, Britain, and the private sector. The group's launch is scheduled for next week.

Iran warned countries supporting the US naval blockade of possible consequences. In parallel, the EU approved aid to Ukraine exceeding 6 billion euros.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Hungary Fedor Shandor, in an interview with RBK-Ukraine, stated that Hungarian society has stopped Russian influence and reported a new positive dynamic in the dialogue between Kyiv and Budapest.

Kyrgyzstan forcibly liquidated 19 companies for evading EU and US sanctions against Russia. Banks severed ties with hundreds of firms following the introduction of the EU's 20th sanctions package.

🇧🇪 Maxime Prévot stated that Belgium is ready to help Ukraine but demands guarantees regarding frozen Russian assets. The minister warned: if a court orders the return of €200 billion to Russia in 10–15 years, the Belgian budget will not withstand it. Brussels insists on collective responsibility of EU countries. #Belgium #Ukraine #MaximePrevot #RussianAssets

🇪🇺 EU prepares a tax revolution: cigarette excise duty to rise by 139%, and a unified tax on vapes will be introduced for the first time. The goal is to reduce smoking among youth and close loopholes for smuggling. By 2040, the EU plans to become tobacco-free, but this requires consensus from all countries. 🚭💸

🇪🇺 Kaja Kallas announced the 'largest ever' sanctions package against Russia. 📉 According to her, new measures will increase the list of sanctioned entities by a third. 🚀 Over 1,600 companies helping Russia in the war will be targeted. 💰 The EU has already deprived Russia of €1 trillion but demands more. #EU #Sanctions #KajaKallas #Russia

🇪🇺 Europe is creating its own conflict resolution plan, fearing exclusion by the Trump administration. France, Germany, and Britain are coordinating actions to avoid being excluded from negotiations with the RF. 🇺🇦 Crisis in Kyiv: Zelenskyy cannot find an ambassador to the US. Yulia Sviridenko refused the post. This is critical against the backdrop of a Patriot missile deficit and the threat of winter. 🚀 Zelenskyy: we need 10% of missile stockpiles to intercept all RF ballistic missiles. Currently, supplies are 2.5 times lower than in 2025. 🇺🇸 The opposition in Ukraine believes that Zelenskyy may delay the appointment of the ambassador until the US midterm elections.

🇧🇪 Belgium introduces a 'digital filter' for refugees: document submission denied without the 'Reserve+' app. This affects women too! Officials demand proof of status in the app, otherwise — refusal to register. No official confirmation exists, but the practice is already in effect. #Ukraine #Belgium #ReservePlus #Migration

🇪🇺 EU '28th Regime': Why business is thrilled, and protesters are silent? In August 2026, the European Commission launches the EU Inc. project — a digital equivalent of the state of Delaware for Europe. 📉 The IMF estimated old barriers as a 110% tax on business. 🚀 Company registration is now 48 hours and 100 euros. 🚫 'Yellow Vests' are not protesting: the reform is voluntary and does not affect ordinary citizens. Why isn't Brussels creating a 'digital concentration camp' but saving the economy? Read the fact-check in our longread. #EUInc #Europe2026 #Business #Digitization #Economy

🇪🇺 Panic in Europe: Macron and Scholz push Trump to deal with Moscow, fearing "separate peace" and winter collapse. 🔍 NYT reveals true motives: Brussels fears that the US and Russia will agree "over the heads" of Europeans. ❄️ Main goal is not peace, but a pause: Europe wants a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure to avoid a wave of 3.5 million refugees. 🇬🇧 Britain changes course: Starmer forced to seek compromise due to a budget hole. 📉 Fear of "November Syndrome": EU panics ahead of US Congressional elections on November 3, 2026.

🚨 CRISIS IN CEUTA: City on the brink of a cholera and measles epidemic after the border breach. Beaches turned into dumps, the hospital is working to the limit. Italy and Austria have closed borders with Spain. The army is preparing for a new assault on August 15. 🇪🇸🦠

🇺🇸 The US Ambassador to the EU called the CBAM carbon tax hidden protectionism. In an article for the Financial Times, the diplomat compared the European mechanism to US steel tariffs, noting Brussels' double standards. 🇺🇦 As of January 1, 2026, CBAM will be fully applied to Ukraine, which experts consider a blow to the country's industry, deprived of the ability to modernize due to the war. The European Commission refused exemptions despite force majeure. #CBAM #Ukraine #Trade #Economy

🇪🇺 **Europe Breaks Records, but the US Remains the Main Weapons Supplier** According to a report by the Kiel Institute (Aug 13, 2026), military aid to Ukraine reached €7.2 billion in June. This is the highest level since 2024. 📉 **Context:** • Direct US aid ceased in February 2025. • The average monthly aid volume dropped from €3.46 billion to €2.94 billion. • The June surge is a one-off transaction from a new EU fund (€90 billion). 🇺🇸 **Paradox:** Europe pays with its own money but buys American weapons (especially Patriots), as there are no domestic analogues. 🚁 **Trends:** Sharp growth in drone financing: €1.6 billion in the first 4 months of 2026 (4 times more than in all of 2022). #Ukraine #MilitaryAid #EU #USA #Analytics