# European Union
Former Austrian intelligence officer found guilty of spying for the Kremlin
Egisto Ott, a former Austrian intelligence officer, has been found guilty of collaborating with the Russian secret services. A court in Vienna has established that he passed on confidential information and data from police databases to Moscow
‘It will help the peace talks.’ Merz reveals details of Ukraine’s ‘associated membership’ plan with the EU — media reports
Germany is proposing to grant Ukraine a say in the European Union without waiting for full membership. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sent a letter to EU leaders setting out the details of a proposal for ‘associated membership’ for Kyiv.
Merz proposed granting Ukraine the status of an associate member of the EU
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed granting Ukraine the status of an ‘associate member’ of the European Union as an intermediate step towards full membership. Under his proposal, Ukraine would be able to have representation in EU institutions without the right to vote.
US urges Ukraine and the EU to ease restrictions on Belarusian fertilisers – Bloomberg
Washington believes that easing sanctions could help reduce Minsk’s dependence on Russia.
The US is reducing the number of combat brigades in Europe
The Pentagon has reduced the total number of US combat brigade groups stationed in Europe from four to three.
Politico has named three potential candidates to lead the EU’s peace talks with Russia
Discussions are ongoing within the European Union regarding the appointment of an EU negotiator to engage with Russia with a view to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
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.
