Page 7 - U Countries News Today

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to use the EU summit on 1 February, dedicated to the mid-term review of the EU budget, to urge partners to send more weapons to Ukraine. Source: Politico with reference to an official of the German government, reported by European Pravda Details: As is known, on 1 February, EU leaders are planning to make a political decision on a four-year financial assistance package for Ukraine worth €50 billion.

"As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine's security in the long run," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The ban on imports of Ukrainian grain to Poland will remain in place until new rules are developed at the EU level, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Czeslaw Siekierski has said in an interview with TVP Info.

Under the Renewable Energy Directive, the EU has increased its 2030 renewable target from 32 per cent to 42.5 per cent.

The Balkan states join Europe's border-free zone by air and sea, as talks on opening land borders continue.

Britain on Thursday lifted some costly obstacles placed on school trips post Brexit -- but only for students from France as campaigners called for all EU countries to benefit.In France, the director of an organisation offering school trips warmly welcomed the partial lifting of restrictions that have been made ahead of the new year, claiming it would trigger a resurgence in visits.

The Financial Times has reported that the European Union is preparing a backup plan to provide Ukraine with €20 billion, bypassing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's objections.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is convinced that the EU will, in any case, decide to allocate €50 billion to Ukraine. Source: Kuleba on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast, reported by European Pravda Details: Kuleba noted that the decision to hold a special summit on this issue was not made because of Hungary's veto, "but because the other 26 European countries are giving Hungary time to agree on accession".

General mobilization and a state of war have been in effect in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022, with all men aged 18 to 60 considered eligible for military service and subject to conscription.

The European Union is taking proactive measures in anticipation of the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, set to occur in a year, Kadri Simson, the EU Commissioner for Energy said on Dec. 20.