In February 2026 the European Parliament adopted a&nbsp;package of proposals aimed at supporting Ukraine with a €90 billion EU loan for 2026 and 2027. The Ukraine support loan will help meet Ukraine’s urgent financing needs amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression entering its fifth year.

In April 2026 the Council&nbsp;adopted the final key piece of legislation underpinning the&nbsp;&nbsp;€90 billion EU loan to Ukraine. Funding will be linked to strict conditions on Ukraine’s side such as adherence to the rule of law, including the fight against corruption.

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24&nbsp;February 2022, the EU and the Parliament have supported the country by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid. Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.

In February 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed MEPs at an extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament, four years on from the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Addressing MEPs via video from Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the European Parliament’s continued support for Ukraine

Solidarity with Ukraine

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

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Climate change

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for "united action" on border security after the&nbsp; influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta&nbsp; in the end of July.

The latest update from the Spanish authorities and the Commission indicates that the very large majority of people who have crossed illegally have been returned and there has been no onward movement to mainland Spain or other member states.

Member states and the Schengen associated countries were united in expressing strong solidarity with Spain during extraordinary meeting of home affairs ministers on 4 August.&nbsp; Ministers appreciated the swift and effective efforts of Spanish authorities. They also expressed their condolences for the people who lost their lives attempting to make the crossing.

There was a common understanding of the need to continue relentlessly fighting migrant smuggling networks, to reinforce returns, to strengthen EU borders, to build deep partnerships with third countries, and to improve foresight.

The EP LIBE committee will hold an extraordinary meeting over the situation on 6 of August.

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Migration

On 16 June 2026, MEPs gave their final approval to two pieces of legislation implementing EU tariff commitments under the August 2025 EU-US joint statement. The main proposal for a regulation, adopted by 440 votes to 151 with 50 abstentions, eliminates tariffs on all US industrial goods and provides preferential market access for a wide range of US seafood and agricultural goods. The second proposal for a regulation, endorsed by 444 votes to 152 with 54 abstentions, concerns the prolongation of tariff-free imports of lobster, and now also includes processed lobster. Both proposals were previously agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators, who introduced several elements strengthening the Commission’s original proposal.

The main regulation on industrial and agri-food imports will expire on 31 December 2029. By 30 June 2029, the Commission will make a comprehensive assessment of its trade effects on EU industry, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises, and of changes in trade patterns with third countries, accompanied by a legislative proposal to prolong the regulation’s duration, if appropriate.

&nbsp;In August 2025, the US added 407 product categories to the list of derivative steel and aluminium products subject to tariffs. Parliament considered that these new tariffs increased the level of trade instability and pushed for this issue to be addressed in the main regulation. As a consequence of this, the Commission will now be able to suspend tariff preferences if by 31 December 2026 the US continues to apply a tariff rate higher than 15% on EU steel and aluminium derivatives.

&nbsp;Parliament and Council also agreed to establish a safeguard mechanism should tariff preferences granted to the US lead to increases in imports that threaten to cause serious injury to EU industry, including the agricultural sector.

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EU - USA

Situation in the Middle East remain complex. On Iran, the EU is advocating de-escalation, while considering a revision of the mandate of its naval&nbsp;operation Aspides&nbsp;to ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding Israel, EU ministers agreed on Monday 11 May to impose&nbsp;sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The EU is also working&nbsp;to advance the normalisation of relations with Syria&nbsp;and to support Syria’s transitional authorities in their political reform and reconstruction efforts.

The European Parliament debated in April recent US-Israel military operation targeting the Iranian regime, examining its geopolitical and humanitarian consequences. The discussion focused&nbsp;on the impact of these actions on regional stability and the situation of the Iranian people, as well as the European Union’s role in addressing the crisis and supporting those affected by the escalating tensions in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Situation in the Middle East

Have a look at stockshots (from 2021 onwards) with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), pre-edited videos

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Infoclips - Illustrative footage

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

In 2026 the conflict in Ukraine has entered its fifth year.&nbsp;

In a resolution adopted in April 2026, the European&nbsp;Parliament condemned the repeated brutal and deliberate Russian strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine in the strongest terms.

The text, adopted by 446 votes in favour, 63 against with 52 abstentions, highlights in particular Russian systematic attacks on Ukrainian residential areas, energy facilities, hospitals and other essential services, with MEPs calling for Russia to end these strikes.

MEPs call for&nbsp;the establishment and rapid operationalisation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine and encourage all EU member states to join. They also commend the work by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Eurojust and civil society organisations in investigating alleged violations and human rights abuses, supporting accountability, and collecting evidence.

In February 2026 the European Parliament adopted a package of proposals aimed at supporting Ukraine with a €90 billion EU loan for 2026 and 2027. The so-called Ukraine support loan will help meet Ukraine’s urgent financing needs amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression entering its fifth year.

The Council&nbsp;formally adopted&nbsp;this&nbsp;package in April 2026&nbsp;in order for the Commission to be able to disburse the first payment.

The EU has imposed massive and unprecedented sanctions against individuals and entities involved in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In April 2026 the EU approved the&nbsp;20th package of restrictive measures comprising 120 further individual listings – the biggest package of listings in two years – and stern, multi-layered economic sanctions, targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This package aims to further cripple Russia’s economy and war machine, and confirms the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its people in resisting the Russian aggression and enduring the recent brutal campaign deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy.

The EU remains determined to maintain and increase pressure on Russia to stop its brutal war of aggression and engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace.

Russian aggression against Ukraine

Europa Experiences are multimedia spaces around Europe with interactive tools that offer you direct and fascinating insight into how Europeans work together to tackle today's most important challenges.

These centres let you explore how European Union functions, how it impacts your daily life, and how you can get involved.

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Mr TAJANI was elected President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2017. 

The President chairs the plenary sittings of Parliament, the Conference of the Presidents of Political Groups and the Bureau of Parliament. The President is responsible for the application of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and, to this end, oversees all the activities of Parliament and its bodies. The President represents Parliament in all legal matters. He addresses the European Council prior to each of its meetings, stating Parliament's viewpoint on the subjects on the agenda in the framework of a debate with the heads of state and government. The President represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. The President signs the EU budget into being following Parliament's vote on it at second reading. During the procedure, the President chairs the EP/Council conciliation delegations. The President may, under the EP/Council codecision procedure, chair the EP/Council conciliation committee.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's Agenda

Italy is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - appointed by the president and a head of state - the president. The Parliament is composed of 2 houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic.

Italy is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and of the Schengen area since 26 October 1997. There are 75&nbsp;members of the European Parliament from Italy.

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