The European Union is rejecting any connection between the possibility of resuming Russian pipeline gas purchases and peace talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho said on Jan.

Long reputed to be Russia-friendly, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has often railed against the continuation of the EU sanctions, claiming that they impose an intolerable burden on the Hungarian economy and provide no solution for the carnage in Ukraine.

Ukraine is ready to consider the possibility of cooperating with European operators on gas transit to the EU, but it is the European Commission that must decide whether the European side needs such transit and whether it is ready to provide it.

The bilateral screening process which examines whether Ukrainian legislation complies with EU law will continue until autumn 2025. Source: European Commission spokesperson in a comment to European Pravda Details: The screening of Ukrainian legislation,

The European Commission will continue talks with Ukraine on natural gas supplies to Europe and will include Hungary and Slovakia in these talks, according to a statement shared by an EU diplomat and seen by Reuters on Monday.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has sought the resumption of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, will discuss the issue with European Commission officials on Thursday, his office said on Tuesday.

The European Union is set to accelerate Ukraine’s EU membership talks, with plans to open two clusters of negotiations by mid-2025, according to EU

The European Commission has submitted a screening report on the Fundamentals cluster to the European Council, marking the starting point for Ukraine's EU membership negotiations. Source: Interfax-Ukraine,

Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák presented a plan for Ukraine’s and Moldova’s integration into the EU’s internal market to his European colleagues.

The ongoing conflict has highlighted the importance of diversifying gas supplies to build resilience against geopolitical risks

Since the outset of Russia’s large-scale invasion, the European Union has allocated humanitarian aid to Ukraine for a total amount exceeding EUR 3.6 billion, and continues to provide such assistance using the capabilities of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

North Korean troops seem to temporarily withdraw from one section of front in Kursk Oblast, military says Russia claims to capture Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine admits partial retreat but says battles ongoing Russia intensifies attacks near Pokrovsk,