Politics of the European Union

The European Court of Justice has ruled today that Brits living in EU countries have lost the right to vote and stand in local elections after Britain left the bloc in 2020. Exceptions are those British citizens who also have EU citizenship, the DPA and AP reported.

Traditionally eurosceptic Denmark votes Wednesday in a referendum on whether to overturn its opt-out on the EU's common defence policy after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The vote comes on the heels of neighbouring Finland's and Sweden's historic applications for NATO membership, as the Ukraine war forces countries in Europe to rethink their security policies.

The conflict in Ukraine has made it clear that soft power is not enough so the European Union needs to become a military power, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on arrival at an EU summit on Tuesday.

"If Serbia wants to become an EU member, it is a matter of opening chapters, advancing reforms and sharing common values, which means we have a common view of the situation in Ukraine.

The European Commission has proposed an accelerated path to Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

At a meeting between EC President Ursula von der Leyen and President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine received a special questionnaire as a step towards granting EU candidate status.

Members of the European Parliament from the European People's Party Andrey Kovatchev and from "Renew Europe" Ilhan Kyuchyuk believe that the fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia, which is being prepared, will negatively affect Bulgaria as well.

Andrey Kovachev from the EPP thinks this is inevitable.

EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said that the EU Council last night supported the adoption of aid packages for Ukrainian military forces, new sanctions against Russia, diplomatic engagement aimed at isolating Russia, measures to support Ukraine and the region and the fight against misinformation.

The European Union will supply Ukrainian troops with deadly weapons worth 450m euros, said European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The EU sanctions proposed yesterday against Russia will be approved and will take effect this afternoon, Politico reported. The package was announced yesterday by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

Josep Borrell: The EU will Impose Sanctions on Russia today

Growing in support at home, AUR now wants a seat at the top table of European far-right parties.