The EU Council is set to approve new air passenger rights, including free seat reservations for families and pregnant individuals, free name corrections, and easier compensation claims for flight disruptions. These reforms will apply to flights departing from the EU and arriving if operated by an EU airline, with new rules taking effect mid-2027.
Ireland, set to assume the EU presidency on July 1st, faces intense scrutiny over its alleged capture by big tech, with critics urging its recusal from digital sovereignty negotiations due to a history of lax data regulation enforcement and economic dependency on tech giants.
Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari brought her three-month-old son, Adam, to an EU Council meeting in Luxembourg, a first for the institution, to underscore the importance of parental leave policies. She aimed to demonstrate that parents, supported by policies like Sweden's generous system, don't have to choose between career and family.
The Council of the EU plans to invite social media influencers to cover EU leaders' summits in Brussels starting in July, with member countries selecting participants. Guidance dictates influencers must not oppose EU values or have significant commercial ties, a move that has drawn criticism from journalists' associations.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supports European Council President Antonio Costa's reported outreach to Russia, calling himself "one of the most vocal" proponents of such dialogue. The move, revealed by Bloomberg, has drawn criticism from some EU nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron criticized EU Council President Antonio Costa for attempting to establish contact with Russia regarding the Ukraine conflict, stating Costa lacks the authority to represent other nations on security guarantees. Macron believes European countries should join US-initiated negotiations.
An EU official revealed that a member of European Council President António Costa’s cabinet contacted the Kremlin to open a communication channel, a move that deviates from the EU's policy of limited direct engagement with Russia since the Ukraine invasion. The outreach was brief and not substantive, but aimed to defend EU interests.
The Council of the European Union has started formal preparations to open accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine. The Cyprus presidency initiated the process, aiming to align legislation with the EU, a process that typically takes over a decade.
The EU Council condemns mistreatment of detainees following the interception of the Global Sumud fleet and calls for restrictive measures against extremist ministers inciting human rights violations.
The EU Council confirmed approval of funding for Kiev in its statement
The EU Council has completed approval of €90 billion in funding for Ukraine for 2026-2027 and the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions at the ministerial level. EU Council President Antonio Costa announced the milestone on X, stating the funding will provide financial and military support to Ukraine while increasing pressure on Russia. Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos confirmed loan disbursements will begin as soon as possible.
The EU Council has declared that weapons orders under a 90-billion-euro funding package for Ukraine must be placed exclusively with defense industries of the EU, Ukraine, or countries with special agreements with the European Commission. Of the total, 30 billion euros will go to macroeconomic support while 60 billion will fund Ukraine's defense industrial capacities, including procurement of defense products. Third countries must either conclude a bilateral agreement under the SAFE regulation or demonstrate fulfillment of specific conditions.
The EU Council has been returning to the topic of EU economic sanctions against Israel regularly over the past two years
