Daily brief
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc will not act as a neutral mediator in the Ukraine war, arguing that Russia must face the same military restrictions it demands from Ukraine and that a ceasefire is a precondition for peace talks. Russia reacted sharply, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mocking Kallas's comments and Russian officials claiming the US is having doubts about supporting Kyiv. EU foreign ministers meeting in Cyprus disagreed on talks with Russia and postponed the appointment of an EU peace envoy for Ukraine.
Iceland's parliament voted to hold a referendum on EU accession talks in August.
The EU launched ban proceedings against the AfD alliance.
The European Union introduced mandatory salary transparency.
Mexico warned of devastating effects from US consulate closures.