Today marks the sixth year since the fraudulent presidential elections in Belarus. Then, the democratic expression of hundreds of thousands of Belarusians was met with unprecedented force and violence. The EU stands with Belarusian people for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus.⁣

By restricting revenue and closing routes used to circumvent sanctions, the EU is limiting the resources Russia can use to sustain its war against Ukraine.⁣ @eudiplomacy.bsky.social Read more about how we are dismantling the Russian economy, brick by brick: www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/brick-b...

Adopted last week, the EU’s 21st package of sanctions steps up this pressure by targeting Russia’s energy sector, financial services, crypto channels and shadow fleet.⁣ @kajakallas.bsky.social @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

How are EU sanctions affecting Russia?⁣ As Europe’s energy payments to Russia decline, Russia earns less from one of its most important sources of revenue.⁣ @kajakallas.bsky.social @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

"Without the human dimension, we would never find a path to sustainable peace," - Nobel Peace Prize laureate @avalaina.bsky.social.⁣ Read more about how the EU steps up coordination to strengthen international action for Ukrainian civilian detainees via the link: www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-step...

Russia continues to suppress dissent and persecute those perceived as a threat to its illegal occupation.⁣ As announced by HR/VP @kajakallas.bsky.social, the EU and Ukraine are stepping up coordination with civil society, EU Member States and international partners to bring civilian detainees home.

The EU has not forgotten Ukraine's civilian detainees. And neither should the world: around 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are unlawfully detained by Russia, many taken from temporarily occupied territories. @kajakallas.bsky.social @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

The EU tracks these activities through satellite imagery, ownership records, and port and insurance checks, helping identify vessels and networks involved in sanctions evasion.⁣ Russia's shadow fleet is built to hide. EU sanctions are there to expose it.⁣ @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

One of the clearest signs that EU sanctions are having an impact is that efforts to evade them continue.⁣ From going dark, to changing identity, to transferring oil between tankers, the shadow fleet relies on tactics designed to conceal the origin of Russian oil.⁣ @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

Whether there will still be a home to return to in the morning. Ukraine does not need our sympathy. It needs us to remain steadfast in our support. Every additional air defence system means more lives saved.

But their belongings were damaged in the fire that broke out and soaked in water poured by firefighters for many many hours. This is what life in Kyiv looks like today. You go to bed not knowing whether air raid sirens will wake you at 2 a.m. Whether you will have to run to a shelter.

Residential buildings, hospitals, research facilities, warehouses and a hotel in the city centre were all hit. More than 50,000 people spent the night sheltering in Kyiv’s metro stations. Among the damaged buildings was the hotel where many European diplomats live. Thankfully, they all survived.

Rescue workers are still searching through the rubble of collapsed residential buildings for survivors. The final toll may yet be higher. Around 130 buildings were damaged or completely destroyed in Kyiv in one of the most severe attacks of the full scale war.

"Twenty-one people. That is, so far, the price of Russia’s unwanted visit to Kyiv. The death toll from last night’s attack has risen to 21. More than 90 people were injured, including three children.

Time to support Ukraine to turn its military growth into economic growth - that was my message during this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland. @martakos.ec.europa.eu European Commissioner for Enlargement @ec.europa.eu #URC26 #URC2026

To compensate, Russia has recruited over 27,000 foreign nationals from 130 countries, many of them coerced or deceived into serving as assault troops. Foreign recruits may buy time. Not victory. ##StandWithUkraine

Russia has long been assumed to have limitless manpower. The numbers tell a different story. Over 1.3 million casualties. Monthly losses outpacing mobilisation for six months straight. A pool of working-age men already stretched between the military, law enforcement, and an economy in distress.

"May 2026 was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to UN data, at least 274 civilians were killed and 1,763 injured last May — a 93% increase compared to May last year.

"It has been a historic week for Ukraine. The 27 member states are united in supporting Ukraine. And Ukraine is moving forward on its EU path. Let’s keep up the strong accession momentum." António Costa, President of the European Council 🇪🇺 @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu

"Today is Mega-Monday for EU enlargement. First, Ukraine and Moldova will take their biggest step since the decision to start EU accession negotiations in 2023. We will also close two more chapters with Montenegro, bringing it close to half of all chapters closed.

"They killed rescuers in Kharkiv, wounded civilians in Kyiv and set fire to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine’s most important religious sites. The timing of Russia’s attack says it all. On the day Ukraine opens its first negotiation cluster with the EU, Moscow shows again what it fears most

It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions. This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges.

"Today, the European Union took a major step forward. All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova. At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process.

The EU and the Western Balkans have come a long way. Two and a half years into the Growth Plan, the results are tangible: cheaper calls and faster Euro payments, integration that does not wait for accession day. @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

🇺🇦 Another major Russian attack hit Ukraine this weekend, killing at least 4 people and injuring over 100 across the country. This is sheer terror. The EU stands with Ukraine and its people. #EUSolidarity ⁣ ©️ State Emergency Service of Ukraine, 2026

becomes, the clearer it is that Putin’s regime understands it cannot break Ukraine’s resilience, nor the support of its partners. Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. And so do we. 🇪🇺🤝🇺🇦" Katarína Mathernová, European Union Ambassador to Ukraine 🇺🇦 Link to facebook profile www.facebook.com/share/17fRoH...

Isolation of Ukraine. It will not work. The EU is not going anywhere. We are staying in Kyiv. We are staying with Ukraine. Threats against diplomats and international organisations are not a sign of strength. They are a sign of desperation. The more aggressive and threatening the Kremlin ..

and power stations now suddenly speaks the language of “international humanitarian law” and “Geneva conventions”. The same regime that launches nightly missile and drone attacks on civilians now warns others to stay away. We understand exactly what this means. Russia wants fear. Panic. ..

"russia threatens diplomats and foreigners again, asking us to leave Kyiv. But we are not going anywhere! Today’s statement of the russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a masterpiece of hypocrisy. A regime that has spent years bombing residential buildings, museums, maternity wards, schools ..

The popular Lukyanyivska market was comoletely destroyed. But russia went last night also after something very important to every Ukrainian. It’s culture and history. russia damaged the National Art Museum of Ukraine, the Opera House, the Philharmonic and many other sites. ..