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European Commission spokeswoman Paula Pinho noted that Brussels maintains constant communication and if Kyiv requests an assessment of an upcoming draft of a mineral agreement, the EC is prepared to assist. The EU emphasized that the document must align with Ukraine’s obligations related to European integration, particularly in terms of the accession negotiation process. These discussions arose against the backdrop of concerns that the new version of the agreement reflects the US leadership’s intention to consolidate all Ukrainian resources under

US President Donald Trump stated that President Zelenskyy intends to abandon the extraction agreement and warned that such a decision would lead to “significant problems.” “He is looking to abandon the agreement on rare earth elements, and if he does, he will face problems – big, big problems,” Trump said. Notably, last week Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine would not recognize previously provided US military assistance as a loan. Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Putin’s

During a meeting with Donald Trump, Alexander Stubb emphasized the importance of establishing a clear deadline for achieving peace, proposing April 20 as the optimal date for this action, particularly because that date will mark three months of Trump’s presidency. Simultaneously, Stubb noted that if Moscow refuses to agree to a ceasefire or breaks it, strong sanctions will need to be imposed, which are also being threatened by the US. Previously, the White House indicated its intention to secure a

France and the UK have suggested that, following the conflict’s end, European troops formed from the coalition of the willing could serve as Ukraine’s security backbone. French leader Emmanuel Macron referred to them as a “deterrence force” intended to help safeguard Ukrainian cities and key facilities far from the front lines and provide logistical support or training for the Ukrainian army. Simultaneously, European focus has shifted toward air and naval forces. Europe is also seeking US participation in a potential

The United States will engage in consultations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and several European countries regarding their willingness to oversee the ceasefire, President Zelenskyy stated, addressing Russia’s ongoing disruption of the energy truce. Zelenskyy believes that while Saudi Arabia may face technical challenges in monitoring the Ukrainian energy sector, Turkey is equipped to ensure security in the Black Sea. According to the president, monitoring can also be conducted by the United States, the UK, France, Romania, Bulgaria, and other nations

The Ministry of Finance and the European Investment Bank (EIB) recently conducted another review of the loan portfolio for joint projects in Ukraine. The parties discussed preparations for initiating new projects in April 2025 aimed at restoring social infrastructure in communities and rehabilitating water supply and sewage systems in cities. “Ukraine’s cooperation with the EIB encompasses a wide range of areas that address the key needs of the government in the country’s economic development and improving citizens’ lives. The EIB’s

According to Fitch Ratings, the EU is contemplating a significant increase in defense spending as the United States, which ensured Europe’s security post-World War II, has shown reluctance to continue in this role. Experts indicated, “This is a substantial challenge at a time when some of the largest member states are grappling with high levels of debt and deficits.” They suggest that €500B is feasible for the next four to five years. Fitch further noted that nations further from Russia

Ukrainian companies now have access to a new war risk insurance program launched by the EBRD in collaboration with international insurance firms. This was made possible by the Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Guarantee Facility (URGF), which is now fully operational. The EBRD guarantee can provide insurance coverage for goods and transportation valued at up to €1B per year. This will make war risk insurance more accessible, support economic activity, and contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction. The EBRD offers guarantees to reinsurance

Ukraine plans to allocate the external financing received from G7 countries through the ERA mechanism, funded by frozen Russian assets, into three parts. One portion will be designated for financing the current year’s budget, another for pre-financing the budget deficit for the following year, and the third will serve as conditional financing against critically negative scenarios. Last year, $1B was received through the ERA, this year $39.4B will be received, next year $2.4B, and in the first quarter of 2027,

This Swedish support package includes air defense systems, artillery, satellite communications, naval capabilities, machine guns, ammunition, and approximately 100 units of various types of equipment for servicing the air base. Sweden will also contribute about $465M to multilateral initiatives and coalitions within the framework of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, as well as purchases from Ukrainian defense industrial enterprises. Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) in Romania, European allies committed to continued

Pobuzhzhia Development, part of BGV Group Management, co-owner of the ATB supermarket chain, has signed a memorandum of intent to cooperate with the UkraineInvest state institution, which attracts and supports direct foreign investment in Ukraine. This cooperation represents another important step in attracting international financing and providing state support for projects with significant investment in the Ukrainian mining industry, particularly in the exploration, production, and processing of critical materials. UkraineInvest will provide information, consulting, and organizational support while promoting effective

President Donald Trump said he’s “pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin and would consider “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if a ceasefire with Ukraine cannot be reached, NBC News reported. Trump expressed that he was “very upset” about Putin’s recent remarks suggesting methods to establish new leadership in Ukraine and sideline President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, NBC reported, citing a phone interview with Trump on Sunday. New leadership in Ukraine implies “you’re not going to have a deal for a long

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that it is too early to expect high-level discussions between the US and Russia. For now, the White House is assessing the Kremlin’s response to Washington’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, and “more progress at the technical level” is required. Meanwhile, the IMF observed that, according to the updated baseline forecast, the war in Ukraine could conclude in the final months of 2025, although “the risks remain exceptionally high.” A member

The Russian dictator proposed discussing the establishment of an interim administration in Ukraine, under the auspices of the UN and several other countries, to conduct elections and form a “workable government.” Following this, he stated that it would be possible to initiate negotiations on a peace treaty and sign “legitimate documents that will be recognized globally and will be reliable.” The White House National Security Council responded, asserting that “the system of governance in Ukraine is determined by its constitution

The new offensive could last from six to nine months, with the aim of strengthening the Kremlin’s position in ceasefire negotiations. To that end, Putin is prolonging talks on a cessation of hostilities, as he attempts to seize more territory. Consequently, the Kremlin is preparing for a multi-vector offensive along the 1,000-kilometer front line. “In the north, Russian and North Korean soldiers have nearly deprived Kyiv of an advantage in the negotiations by regaining most of the Kursk region. On

The administration of US President Donald Trump is demanding a “right of first refusal” on investments in all infrastructure and natural resource projects under a revised partnership agreement with Ukraine. This would grant the US veto power over any involvement by Kyiv’s other allies. “If signed, the deal would empower the US to control investments in roads and railways, ports, mines, oil and gas production, and critical minerals,” Bloomberg reports. The agreement would provide the US with a first-mover advantage

Senior Ukrainian officials indicate that the new mineral agreement draft proposed by the US has little chance of being finalized in its current state. They argue that the agreement gives the impression that Ukraine “fought a war with the US, lost, was conquered, and now must pay reparations for life.” The new 55-page draft does not offer any security guarantees, and all US support provided to Ukraine during the war is viewed as a debt to be repaid from the

Since the start of the full-scale war, France has been actively providing Ukraine with not only military and humanitarian support, but also economic assistance. The French Development Agency (AFD) opened an office in Ukraine last year and plans to provide €400M in loans and €50M in grants by 2027. The AFD’s key operational areas include rebuilding critical infrastructure and stimulating economic recovery through partnerships with EU companies. Proparco, the development finance institution that is part of the AFD, specializes in

European leaders are working on foreign troop deployment in Ukraine, which could be beneficial, but only under specific conditions, said Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chairman of the NATO Military Committee. “First, there must be an absolute ceasefire that both sides will respect. Second, a strong mandate is necessary, preferably under the auspices of the UN. Third, it must be an authoritative, multinational force that will include not only European troops, but also have sufficient numbers to ensure a significant presence

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has authorized a new $432M support package, Delivering Resilient Infrastructure in Vulnerable Environments in Ukraine (DRIVE), aimed at helping the government enhance the national road network’s resilience and improve operational efficiency in the transport sector. DRIVE complements the ongoing Repairing Essential Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (RELINC) project, which has provided modular bridges and manufactured 200 flatcars. Since the war’s onset in February 2022, Ukraine’s transport infrastructure has suffered significant damage, disrupting essential import