European Union suspends Georgia's accession process
After the summit of the European Council, EU leaders decided to suspend Georgia's entry into the economic and political bloc.
Points of attention
EU leaders have decided to freeze defence support for Georgia and cut direct aid, shifting it to civil society.
The government of Georgia adopted a billon "foreign agents", which became an obstacle to the start of negotiations on joining the EU.
Despite the suspension of the process, hopes for further expansion of the EU remain, but Georgia's fate remains unclear.
The process of Georgia's integration into the EU can be resumed after the October elections
The EU Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, discussed it at the international conference in Tbilisi.
According to him, the EU decided to freeze 30 million euros, which are intended to support Georgia in the field of defence.
He also noted that it is still unclear whether the EU enlargement process will affect Georgia.
Herczynski noted that Georgia's accession to the European Union is currently suspended.
What preceded the suspension of the process of Georgia's accession to the EU
Georgia applied to join the EU in March 2022, weeks after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and gained candidate status in December 2023.
The next step was to be the recommendation of the European Commission to the governments of the EU countries to start negotiations on Georgia's accession to the EU, but this depended on the implementation of a number of reforms.
Brussels made it clear: if the bill on "foreign agents" is passed, there will be no recommendations. And it was passed — on June 3, the speaker of the Georgian parliament signed the law, despite the veto of the country's president, Salome Zurabishvili.
This bill is an analogue of the Russian law on "foreign agents".
On January 19, 2025, a law officially came into force in the United States banning the use of TikTok. According to the experience of other countries, the social network is used not only as an entertainment platform, but also as a tool for disinformation and manipulation.
Points of attention
TikTok is actively used to undermine mobilization processes and spread false narratives in Ukraine.
The platform works as an algorithmic system that learns from users' preferences, displaying manipulative content.
It is necessary to develop mechanisms for monitoring and responding to the threats posed by the use of TikTok and similar platforms to Ukraine.
The US banned TikTok due to national security concerns and risks of data leaks to the Chinese government.
Why TikTok is dangerous for Ukraine
The publication provides examples of international experience in using TikTok as a tool for disinformation and manipulation.
In particular, during the 2024 Romanian presidential election, TikTok became the main channel for promoting pro-Russian candidate Călin Georgescu. Thanks to manipulative content, he won in the first round, but the results were annulled due to detected interference.
In Romania, TikTok was used together with Telegram to coordinate actions, spread fake hashtags, and carry out tasks.
If we talk about threats to Ukraine, thenTikTok is actively used to undermine mobilization processes.
Also, the identified networks of accounts spread false narratives, such as exaggerating the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the injustice of mobilization.
For example, in 2023, the platform became a tool for launching fake campaigns, in particular "Maidan 24.03".
In June 2024, a petition appeared on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers demanding to restrict or ban TikTok in Ukraine. It was proposed to ban the use of the application on the devices of government officials and military personnel.
TikTok Ban in the US. What is Known
On January 19, 2025, a law officially came into effect in the United States banning the use of TikTok.
The move follows legal efforts to force Chinese company ByteDance to sell its US-based platform over national security concerns, with the US Supreme Court upholding the decision, citing risks of data leaks to the Chinese government.
TikTok has now been removed from the Apple and Google app stores. Oracle has begun the process of shutting down servers that served American user data.
Users receive notifications about the platform being unavailable.
Despite the ban, US President-elect Donald Trump has said he may lift it 90 days after taking office. Trump stressed that the issue is still under consideration, but he is open to discussing the platform's resumption.
Amid the expected ban of TikTok in the US, Chinese social network RedNote (Xiaohongshu) has shown rapid growth in popularity in the US market. The app, which topped the download rankings on the US App Store, tripled its downloads in a week, attracting 700,000 new users in just 48 hours.
Why is it dangerous to use Telegram?
Telegram messenger does not protect users' personal data and even stores deleted messages. Journalists from online.ua tried to find out whether personal information of Ukrainians could end up in the hands of the FSB.
In addition, Telegram has been repeatedly accused of spreading hate, pornography, and drug and smuggling trafficking. The messenger is used with impunity by terrorist groups such as ISIS.
Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of the German far-left party Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance, has begun cynically arguing that an immediate halt to arms supplies to Ukraine could stop the war.
Points of attention
Sarah Wagenknecht thinks she knows how to stop Russia.
The politician criticizes aid to Ukraine and opposes the introduction of German soldiers into its territory for a peaceful settlement.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promises to send Ukraine additional aid of 3 billion euros through new borrowing.
Wagenknecht again criticizes aid to Ukraine
A German politician, often called “Putin’s girlfriend,” began cynically lying that the arms supply had not improved Ukraine’s position.
Sarah Wagenknecht is outraged by the fact that Vice Chancellor Robert Gabeke and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have called for a further €3 billion in aid.
In addition, she opposed the introduction of German soldiers into Ukraine to ensure a peaceful settlement.
According to her, we are talking about Brazil, China, India and Turkey.
Why Scholz is blocking aid to Ukraine
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he rejects all accusations. He said he should take care of Germany, not just Ukraine.
The German leader added that he is ready to send Ukraine an additional 3 billion euros in aid, provided that the funds are obtained through "net new borrowing."
As Scholz noted, he will not support budget cuts for the sake of Ukraine.
According to him, it is the Germans who will have to decide how to finance further support for Ukraine.