On 1 April, the European Commission proposed a measure aimed at strengthening the functioning of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) by reforming the Market Stability Reserve (MSR). Since 2019, the MRR has stabilised carbon prices by regulating the supply of CO2 emission allowances. It absorbs allowances or releases them back into the market depending on market fluctuations. Against a backdrop of increased energy price volatility and geopolitical tensions, the reform will put an end to the invalidation mechanism, which triggered the release of the reserve as soon as the threshold of 400 million allowances was exceeded, thereby creating a liquidity buffer capable of supporting market stability. A more comprehensive review of the EU ETS is scheduled for next July.

On 31 March, energy ministers met to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and the resulting rise in energy prices. Sharing their analysis of the situation, they indicated that there was no shortage at this stage but that coordinated action was needed to mitigate the impact of rising energy prices. The Commission is expected to present measures shortly regarding energy supply security and energy price control.

From 9 to 19 April, the 'European Film Days' festival is taking place in several cities across the Czech Republic for the 33rd time. Entirely devoted to contemporary European cinema, it offers audiences films that would otherwise not be shown in Czech cinemas. Each year, the festival awards two prizes: one for the best debut film and one for the best film or musical.

Until 6 September, the Serpentine Gallery in London is hosting an exhibition devoted to the artist Cecily Brown, entitled 'Picture Making'. Internationally renowned for her dynamic and complex approach to painting, Cecily Brown explores the boundaries between abstraction and figuration. Her canvases, often large-scale, are notable for their rich colours, energetic brushwork and a constant tension between what is shown and what is suggested. The exhibition features new works, created especially for the occasion, alongside a selection of key paintings dating from 2001, as well as recent monotypes and drawings.

From 9 to 12 April, the Grand Palais will host Art Paris, the key spring event for modern and contemporary art. Its 28th year will bring together nearly 165 French and international exhibitors from 20 countries. This year, Art Paris is organised around two main themes: "Babel – Art and Language in France" explores how artists manipulate signs, words and writing systems; "Repair" examines contemporary creation from the perspective of care and reconstruction.

On 31 March, the foreign ministers (of Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom), together with the High Representative of the Union, Kaja Kallas, issued a joint statement on the situation in Lebanon. In it, they express their full support for the Lebanese government and people, and call on all parties to de-escalate tensions. Furthermore, they affirm their determination to support the Lebanese armed and security forces by actively participating in the international conference to be held as soon as conditions permit. Finally, they condemn the attacks against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and demand guarantees of safety and security for its personnel.

On 30 and 31 March, Syrian President Ahmed al-Charaa embarked on a tour of Europe, visiting Berlin and then London, where he met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. These talks, which mark a significant step in the re-establishment of relations with European capitals, pave the way for more in-depth discussions on migration and economic matters. Friedrich Merz announced a joint programme aimed at facilitating the return of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, emphasising the importance of their contribution to the reconstruction of a country devastated by years of conflict. Keir Starmer stressed the importance of adopting cooperation measures to strengthen border security and the fight against smuggling networks.

On 31 March, a recording of a telephone conversation between the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, was published, revealing close cooperation between Hungary and Russia on issues of strategic importance to the European Union. In the call, Szijjártó promises coordinated action between Hungary and Slovakia to benefit Russia regarding certain European sanctions.

On 12 April, parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary, where, for the first time since 2010, Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party could lose the election to Péter Magyar's Tisza party. According to the latest polls, Tisza is credited with 49–50% of the vote, compared with 39–40% for Fidesz.

On 30 March, the Council of the European Union officially authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the United Kingdom on two agreements concerning the country's participation in the internal electricity market and the United Kingdom's appropriate financial contribution to cohesion policy. The Council also agreed to authorise the United Kingdom's participation in the Erasmus+ programme for the year 2027.

On 1 April, the Council of the European Union approved an agreement with the United Kingdom concerning Gibraltar, marking a milestone in the consolidation of the post-Brexit framework. This agreement aims to ensure the region's prosperity by removing physical barriers to the movement of people and goods between Spain and Gibraltar, whilst preserving the Schengen area, the single market and the customs union. Complementing the 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement, from which Gibraltar was excluded, this agreement paves the way for enhanced cooperation and greater cross-border integration, to the benefit of local communities and economic activities. It is expected to enter into force provisionally on 15 July 2026.

On 31 March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a summit in Bucha to commemorate, alongside delegations from the European Union, NATO and the OSCE, the victims of the atrocities committed during the Russian occupation of the region in 2022. In a joint statement, all EU Member States, with the exception of Hungary, reiterated their support for Ukraine and called for enhanced coordination of security, economic and humanitarian measures, whilst emphasising the need to maintain sanctions against Russia and step up aid to Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed this stance as a sign of unity, noting that only the defence of truth and justice could lead to the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and lasting peace.

On 1 April, the European Union received €1.4 billion in windfall profits from interest on frozen Russian assets. These funds will be used to support Ukraine and strengthen its military and defence capabilities. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Member States adopted several rounds of sanctions, including the freezing of Russian Central Bank assets held within the EU. On 21 May 2024, foreign ministers adopted a set of legal acts allowing the net proceeds from these assets to be used for the benefit of Ukraine. This is the fourth transfer of its kind, following an initial tranche in July 2024 and the most recent one in December 2025.

On 1 April, the Romanian government organised a strategic networking meeting between Ukrainian companies specialising in the drone sector. Discussions focused on the development of projects and partnerships in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced detection and neutralisation systems (Anti-UAS). This meeting follows the signing of the strategic partnership agreement between the two countries last March. Furthermore, the Romanian Minister of Defence, Radu Miruta, announced that his country intends to allocate €200 million to the joint production of drones with Ukraine, as part of the European Union's SAFE programme.

On 1 April, the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, travelled to Kyiv to express Ireland's solidarity with Ukraine. On this occasion, she announced an additional €40 million package to address urgent humanitarian needs and support long-term reconstruction and resilience. This aid aims to provide medical care, emergency shelter and support for the most vulnerable populations, whilst supporting reforms and the process of accession to the European Union. During this visit, which included the opening of Ireland's new embassy in Kyiv, the Minister reiterated that support for Ukraine will be a key priority of Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.