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On 13 July, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) published a study which highlights that a majority of Ukrainian refugees hope to return to the country as soon as possible. Of the refugees surveyed, 16% intend to return to Ukraine within the next two months. In addition, according to a UNHCR count on 5 July, 3.2 million of the 8.7 million Ukrainian refugees have already returned to Ukraine. UNHCR also considers it essential to support the Ukrainian government in ensuring safe accommodation and economic opportunities for people who are there or who wish to return.

On 15 July the Commission proposed measures to secure and strengthen the implementation of sanctions against Russia. The text clarifies provisions on sanctions already in place so as to facilitate their implementation by Member States. It further aligns EU sanctions with those of its partners, introduces new bans on the import of Russian gold and strengthens controls on exports of advanced and dual-use technologies. The Commission also proposes to extend the current sanctions until January 2023.

On 11 July, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky who thanked him for the €200 million in aid. Mark Rutte reiterated the importance of resolving the issue of the interruption of Ukrainian agricultural exports due to the Russian blockade of Black Sea ports. On 14 July, Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by video to the International Conference in The Hague to reiterate that all Russian war criminals should be tried for their actions in Ukraine since 2014. He said that the survival of international law was at stake.

On 15 July, the Commission and the Ukrainian government signed an agreement to include Ukraine in the EU Health Programme, with a budget of €5.3 billion for the period 2021-2027, with the aim of reducing war damage to the health system and financing Ukrainian public and private projects contributing to the country's post-war reconstruction.

In a joint statement issued on 13 July, 43 countries and the European Union repeated their support for Ukraine in its proceedings before the International Court of Justice and called on Russia to cease its military operations. The signatories stress that Russia must be held accountable for violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. They call for full and urgent reparation by Russia.

According to the economic forecasts published by the Commission on 14 July, the European Union is expected to grow by 2.7% in 2022 and 1.5% in 2023, down from previous forecasts due to the impact of the war in Ukraine. Growth in the euro area is expected to reach 2.6% in 2022 and 1.4% in 2023. Inflation is expected to peak at 7.6% in the euro area and 8.3% in the EU in 2022, falling to 4% and 4.6% respectively in 2023.

On 14 July, the Commission proposed a regulation to facilitate the cross-border movement of vital substances of human origin (SoHO) such as blood, tissues or cells. The proposal includes rules for innovation based on the creation of a coordination committee for substances of human origin and a common procedure for the evaluation and authorisation of SoHO preparations. It provides for better protection of patients, donors and offspring.

At the Eurogroup meeting on 11 July, euro area finance ministers discussed current developments and emerging challenges for the euro area with input from the International Monetary Fund, which presented the results of its interim visit. They also discussed the potential impacts of a digital euro on the financial system and the use of cash. Finally, the Ministers discussed the proposal for a Council Regulation on the conversion rate between the Croatian kuna and the euro, in view of Croatia's accession to the single currency in 2023.

The Council and the Parliament reached agreement on 14 July on the 2030 Agenda for Action " the path to the digital decade". It sets out the digital goals to be achieved by the EU by 2030 in the areas of skills, secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, digital transformation of businesses and digitisation of public services. The agreement emphasises the strengthening of fundamental rights, transparency and security and clarifies the concept of "multinational projects" encouraging cooperation between Member States on "large-scale" projects.

On 13 July, the Council adopted its position on the EU budget for 2023. It wants to set it at €183.95 billion in commitments and €165.74 billion in payments. This represents an increase of 8.29% and a decrease of 3.02% respectively. The Council also expressed reservations about the state of the Parliament's expenditure and its wish to increase its staff numbers for 2023.

On 13 and 14 July, the Environment Ministers discussed climate protection and the EU's mandate for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in November. They also discussed with Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans the implementation of the Fit for 55 adjustment package.

At the informal meeting of European Affairs Ministers on 14-15 July, the Czech Minister presented the priorities of the Czech Council Presidency in the presence of the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Olha Stefanychyna. The Ministers discussed the strengthening of the Union's democratic institutions, the potential reform of the European Parliament elections and the protection of independent journalists. Finally, they discussed the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

On 18 July, the Agriculture Ministers discussed the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy and the approval of the Member States' strategic plans. They debated the market situation, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They asked the Commission to review its proposal on the use of pesticides, which was considered too strict.

On 15 July, the European Union and Niger launched an operational partnership to combat migrant smuggling. The partnership includes the strengthening of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in Niger to combat the business model of smugglers and criminal networks, information and awareness campaigns on the risks of irregular migration and migrant smuggling, and a working agreement between Frontex and Niger. On 18 July, the EU also approved €25 million in aid under the European Peace Facility to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerien army.

On 18 July, the Foreign Ministers discussed the strengthening of sanctions against Russia proposed by the Commission on 15 July, in particular with regard to the gold trade, and aid to Ukraine. They also discussed relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and the resumption of meetings on the Association Agreement with Israel. They approved conclusions on digital diplomacy, the fight against information manipulation, and the EU's priorities for the next UN General Assembly. They took stock of the situation in Tunisia, Sri Lanka and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On 12 July, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the first images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. Launched in 2021 by an Ariane-5 rocket, the Webb telescope is the largest ever designed and can photograph space in infrared images at greater distances than its predecessors Hubble and Spitzer.

On 13 July, the Vega-C rocket, built by the Italian group Avio, successfully carried out its inaugural launch from the Guiana space centre in Kourou. The rocket launched the LARES-2 scientific satellite into orbit. The European Space Agency (ESA), which is responsible for the programme, plans 15 launches by 2025.

The Council of Europe's Council of Ministers adopted a recommendation on 13 July to combat fraud in education. It recommends, among other things, to protect pupils, students, researchers and staff from organisations and individuals selling fraudulent services, to monitor technological developments that could encourage new forms of fraud, and to support the implementation of anti-fraud prevention and protection measures.

In a report assessing the reception of refugees fleeing Ukraine published on 13 July, the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Migration and Refugees, Leyla Kayacik, praises the work of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Both countries have been particularly affected by the consequences of the war and have received large numbers of people fleeing Ukraine. Kayacik proposed further assistance, supported by the Council of Europe, to identify more accurately the vulnerabilities of certain groups, to strengthen psychological support, and to combat abuse and exploitation.

Public television and radio services are perceived as the most reliable sources of information by European citizens (49%), followed by the written press (39%) and private television and radio channels (27%), according to a Eurobarometer survey published on 13 July. Television is the main source of information for respondents (75%), but 88% of people find out information on their phone or computer. One in four people believe they have been exposed to misinformation and false information in the last 7 days. In Bulgaria, this is 55% of people, compared to 12% in the Netherlands.

The Commission published on 13 July its third annual report on the rule of law, tracing developments in each State since July 2021 in the following areas: judicial systems, the fight against corruption, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to the principle of checks and balances. For the first time, the Commission makes recommendations to individual Member States. In particular, the report points out that structural concerns persist in some Member States regarding the independence of the judiciary and the abnormally long time span of anti-corruption investigations, and recognises the value of public service media.

On 15 July, the Commission published its annual report on monitoring the application of European Union law, covering the implementing measures taken by the Commission to ensure the protection of citizens' and businesses' rights and freedoms in the 27 Member States. In 2021, the Commission opened 847 infringement proceedings, including for delays in transposing directives, or incorrect application of the law. The report highlights that almost half of the cases for incorrect application of EU law or non-conformity of national rules with EU law concerned the environment, employment, transport and mobility or the single market.

The Peace and Security in 2022 report published by the European Parliament summarises all the actions taken by the European Union in the context of the war in Ukraine, but also to address threats to peace, such as climate change, economic crises and technological developments.

According to data published on 11 July by Eurostat, the population of the European Union decreased in 2021 from 447 million inhabitants on 1 January 2021 to 446.8 million inhabitants on 1 January 2022. Negative natural change (more deaths than births) outweighed positive net migration for the second year, probably due to the impact of the pandemic. The number of inhabitants on the planet will exceed 8 billion by the end of the year, according to a UN report published the same day.

From 20 to 23 July in Spa, the Francofolies will host nationally and internationally renowned French-speaking artists for 3 days of concerts. Calogero, Vianney and Clara Luciani are among the headliners.

Until 4 September, the works of sculptor Janis Aivars Karlovs are on display at the Lithuanian National Art Museum. A specialist in granite sculptures, the 20th-century artist's minimalist style is known for its introspective play on form.

Until 22 July, Vilnius is hosting a summer festival featuring local and international musicians of various styles. It features classical, jazz and rock concerts in the gardens of the Grand Duke's Palace and aims to combine the traditional with the contemporary.

Until 27 November, an exhibition attempts to trace the events that led to the decline of the Roman Empire during the period from the 3rd to the 5th century CE. Organised in several locations in the city of Trier, the exhibition follows the history of the Roman Empire in three parts, from the Empire at the height of its wealth, to the long period of its decline, to its continuation through the cultural heritage and the rise of Christianity.

Created in 1966, the San Sebastian International Jazz Festival is the oldest jazz festival in Spain. From 20 to 25 July, there will be a wide range of concerts on several stages in some of the city's most emblematic locations.

The Ao Largo Festival in Lisbon is an opportunity to discover a varied classical repertoire with some prestigious concerts and performances by the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, the Choir of the Sao Carlos National Theatre and the National Ballet Company. The concerts and performances are being held in the open air in front of the Sao Carlos National Theatre until 30 July.

From 26 to 31 July, the Admiralpalast theatre in Berlin will host Star Dust by the prestigious New York-based company Complexions Contemporary Ballet. This tribute to the singer David Bowie is a unique show where the melodies of the songs blend with the elegance of ballet.

Until 6 November, the National Gallery of Ireland in collaboration with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is offering an opportunity to view works by 17th century Dutch artists. Visitors will be able to view drawings and prints by artists such as Rembrandt, Hendrik Avercamp, Jan van Goyen and Jacob van Ruisdael.

Until 26 July, the town of Vaison-la-Romaine is hosting its dance festival with internationally renowned choreographers. The festival is taking place in the town's ancient theatre, which dates back to the 1st century and was restored in the early 20th century.

From 21 to 24 July, the city of Katowice is hosting the "Tauron Nowa Muzyka" festival, which offers a mix of electronic, rock and pop music. Many concerts featuring artists from all over the world will take place on the festival's various stages.

The world of culture rallies in times of war. Until 15 August, Aude is hosting the Odessa photo festival, which cannot be held in Ukraine this year. On 28 July, the inaugural concert of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra is being held in Warsaw and will mark the beginning of a concert tour. From 29 to 31 July, a music festival in Bracknell, Berkshire, is being organised by the All Together Ukrainian Community to raise funds for Ukrainian aid. The European External Action Service (EEAS) is hosting an exhibition of contemporary art by 42 Ukrainian artists, "Unfolding Landscapes", which was prevented from returning to Ukraine because of the war, and which will be on display from 19 July at the Brussels Museum of Art and History.