On 1 April, the European Commission proposed an implementing decision to put in place the €90 billion support loan for Ukraine for 2026 and 2027. This loan, approved by foreign ministers last December, aims to meet the country's budgetary and military needs. The first package of measures adopted provides for the disbursement of €45 billion by 31 December at the latest. The aid package is currently blocked by a veto from the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, due to a dispute over the Druzhba oil pipeline. The European Commission has also adopted a decision authorising Ukraine to make use of derogations for the procurement of drones.

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.

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.

The French President undertook an official visit to Japan from 31 March to 2 April, followed by a state visit to the Republic of Korea on 2 and 3 April. These visits formed part of the preparations for the G7 Summit in Évian. However, against an international backdrop marked by crises, this visit served to reaffirm the importance of strategic autonomy and the vital role of the Indo-Pacific. On this occasion, France and Japan decided to deepen and strengthen their exceptional partnership. The French and South Korean Presidents also agreed to elevate the level of bilateral relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership".

US President Donald Trump has been making a series of blunt statements against the transatlantic agreement, which the United States itself initiated in 1949. He is justifying his attacks on the grounds that Europeans are refusing to participate in the war he is currently losing in the Middle East. Europe now knows that it cannot count on him to come to the aid of one of its members in the event of an aggression. There is now no ambiguity: Trump's America will not come to Europe's aid. Europeans must take responsibility for the collective defence of the continent and organise a de facto solidarity amongst themselves in the event of an attack.

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 Chair of the Parliament's Committee on European Integration, Marcel Spatari, together with representatives of the European affairs committees of the parliaments of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Germany, signed a joint declaration reiterating their unwavering support for the Republic of Moldova's European path.

On 30 March, the Polish public television broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) launched an Armenian-language news service, 'VT Hayastan News', aimed at audiences in Armenia and within the diaspora. Supported by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this initiative aims to provide coverage of political, economic and social news from a European perspective, whilst strengthening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union. Designed to combat disinformation and increase resilience to information manipulation, this project forms part of the development of a multilingual media offering for the countries of the Eastern Partnership, against a backdrop of growing information-related pressure.

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 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.

In his first Easter message and Urbi et Orbi blessing, Pope Leo XIV addressed a world torn apart by wars and violence. He recalled that the power of the Easter message—the victory of life over death—stands in opposition to the violence and spirit of vengeance that are tearing the world apart.