# European Union
The stolen skull of Saint Zdislava has been found in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, the police have recovered a relic that was stolen this week from a basilica in the town of Jablonné v Podještědí. The relic in question is the skull of Saint Zdislava, which is estimated to be around 800 years old
The EU could allocate over €9 billion to Ukraine as early as June
The European Union could agree the terms of a large-scale €90 billion loan programme for Ukraine in the coming days. Following this, Kyiv will be able to receive the first tranche of aid, amounting to over €9 billion
Zelenskyy and Macron discussed air defence and support for Ukraine
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has reported on a telephone conversation with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defences, cooperation on European affairs and the coordination of international efforts
Sibiga commented on the establishment of a special tribunal for the Russian Federation
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has stated that the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine should be a step towards restoring international justice. According to him, this will make it possible to hold the Russian leadership to account
The EU may extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2028
The European Union is considering extending the temporary protection regime for Ukrainians until 2028. Ilva Johansson, the EU Special Representative for Ukrainians, has stated that member states are discussing a common approach and may extend the protection for a further year beyond March 2027.
The EU will join the Special Tribunal on Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine
The European Union will accede to the Enlarged Partial Agreement of the Management Committee of the Special Tribunal on the Crime of Aggression Committed by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Discussions are underway in Europe regarding potential mediators for the negotiations on the war in Ukraine
Discussions have intensified in Europe regarding possible negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, with the involvement of European countries. Against this backdrop, political circles in Germany have begun to discuss potential mediators, with Angela Merkel and Frank-Walter Steinmeier being mentioned among them.
The EU is drawing up new rules to tackle addictive social media design
The European Union is stepping up pressure on social media platforms over the risks they pose to children and teenagers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that Brussels is working on new rules designed to restrict the ‘addictive’ design of these platforms. The platforms in question are TikTok, Meta and X.
Von der Leyen’s plan for the EU is stalling due to criticism of her management style
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has tightened her personal control over the work of the EU’s executive body, but is increasingly facing discontent in Brussels and the capitals of member states. According to Bloomberg, some officials and diplomats believe that excessive centralisation of decision-making is hampering the EU’s key economic priorities.
The EU may open all negotiation clusters with Ukraine by the summer
The European Union is considering the possibility of opening all negotiation chapters with Ukraine by the summer. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, stated that Ukraine has made significant progress towards European integration, and that its accession to the European Union represents an investment in European security.
The German government has rejected Putin’s proposal for Schröder to act as a mediator
Berlin has reacted sceptically to Vladimir Putin’s proposal to involve former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in negotiations between Russia and the European Union. Government circles have described this initiative as part of Russia’s hybrid strategy.
Passengers are being evacuated from a cruise ship off the coast of Tenerife due to the hantavirus
On 10 May, Spain began evacuating passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, on board which an outbreak of hantavirus had been detected. The ship is currently anchored off the coast of Tenerife.
