Politics

Tuesday, February 4

Zelenskyy: Ukraine has received only 43% of the military aid that the US has approved.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine has received only 43% of the military aid that the US has approved. Ukraine has received only $76B out of almost $177B in approved US military assistance. “We received it not in money, but in weapons – we received weapons worth more than $70B. This is a signific...

Greece calls on the EU to establish a €100B fund for its defense.

Greece calls on the EU to establish a €100B fund for its defense. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while preparing for a new EU defense strategy, has proposed creating a fund of at least €100B for the EU’s overall defense budget. Mitsotakis’ pro...

Monday, February 3

The Trump team has held “serious discussions” with Russia on ending war in Ukraine; Kellogg expects peace within months.

The Trump team has held “serious discussions” with Russia on ending war in Ukraine; Kellogg expects peace within months. US President Donald Trump said his administration has already held “very serious” talks with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine and that he and Russian dictator Putin could soon take R...

Marco Rubio: The war has reached a stalemate, and neither side will accomplish its ultimate goal, but the US will continue to support Ukraine.

Marco Rubio: The war has reached a stalemate, and neither side will accomplish its ultimate goal, but the US will continue to support Ukraine. Neither Ukraine nor Russia will achieve their best-case scenario in ending their conflict; both sides will need to make concessions, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He added that both parties ...

Zelenskyy: NATO membership remains Ukraine’s primary objective, and its military could provide value for the Alliance.

Zelenskyy: NATO membership remains Ukraine’s primary objective, and its military could provide value for the Alliance. President Zelenskyy noted that without security guarantees from allies, any agreement concluded with Russia will only delay the country’s future aggression. NATO membership remains Ukraine’...

Ukraine is seeking Trump’s support for using frozen Russian assets to purchase American weapons.

Ukraine is seeking Trump’s support for using frozen Russian assets to purchase American weapons. According to the WP, Since Donald Trump took office as US president, Ukraine has stepped up its efforts to access the Russian Central Bank’s frozen assets to finance weapon supplies. Kyiv hopes ...

The NBU expects that Ukraine’s international aid will decrease.

The NBU expects that Ukraine’s international aid will decrease. The National Bank anticipates that Ukraine will continue to receive significant external financial support, particularly in 2025, but the amount will gradually diminish as the country’s economic...

Friday, January 31

Sweden will provide a large aid package to the Ukrainian defense forces; Lithuania mulls allowing troops to be deployed to Ukraine.

Sweden will provide a large aid package to the Ukrainian defense forces; Lithuania mulls allowing troops to be deployed to Ukraine. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson announced that the country has agreed to deliver its largest aid package to Ukraine to date, valued at SEK 13.5B ($1.23B). This marks Sweden’s 18th military p...

The EU is discussing a return to imported Russian pipeline gas as part of a potential peace deal in Ukraine.

The EU is discussing a return to imported Russian pipeline gas as part of a potential peace deal in Ukraine. Advocates of resuming these purchases argue that this “will lead to lower energy prices in Europe, encourage Russia to engage in negotiations, and provide both sides with reasons to establish an...

PACE adopts a resolution on peace in Ukraine.

PACE adopts a resolution on peace in Ukraine. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution, Europe’s commitment to a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, which is the main document to emerge from the 202...

In 2024, Ukraine received almost $5.5B through USAID: how will Kyiv react to Trump’s suspension of funding?

In 2024, Ukraine received almost $5.5B through USAID: how will Kyiv react to Trump’s suspension of funding? The Ukrainian USAID office suspended funding for all programs and projects following a presidential order. In the 2024 budget year, more than $5B was allocated for Ukrainian programs, with $4.2B going...

Thursday, January 30

Zelenskyy: Putin fears negotiations and wants the war to drag out.

Zelenskyy: Putin fears negotiations and wants the war to drag out. On January 28, Putin issued a new statement regarding negotiations with Ukraine. The Russian dictator said that he was not ready to sign a peace treaty with the Ukrainian President because he is ̶...

Negotiations with Russia are only possible through force; Ukraine seeks more than just an agreement.

Negotiations with Russia are only possible through force; Ukraine seeks more than just an agreement. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office, stated that Russia can only be compelled to engage in fair negotiations through force, as the current leadership exists solely in ...

The US will send missiles for the Patriot system from Israel to Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defense has begun production of licensed FPV drones.

The US will send missiles for the Patriot system from Israel to Ukraine, and the Ministry of Defense has begun production of licensed FPV drones. The US plans to transfer dozens of missiles for the Patriot air defense systems from Israel to Ukraine. This week, US aircraft transported about 90 interceptor missiles from Israel to Poland, from whi...

The freezing of US foreign aid: Ukraine will hold consultations on the resumption of assistance.

The freezing of US foreign aid: Ukraine will hold consultations on the resumption of assistance. President Zelenskyy instructed the government to prepare a report on suspended American support programs. “We will determine which of them are critical. We can provide some of the funding with o...

Russian LNG, aluminum, and the shadow fleet: What is the new EU sanctions package targeting?

Russian LNG, aluminum, and the shadow fleet: What is the new EU sanctions package targeting? The 16th package of EU sanctions targeting Russia will not include a general ban on the import of Russian LNG. Instead, LNG supplies to terminals not connected to the EU’s common gas distributio...

Wednesday, January 29

Scholz and Rutte advise NATO and the EU to arm themselves.

Scholz and Rutte advise NATO and the EU to arm themselves. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, commenting on a new underwater cable damage incident in the Baltic Sea, remarked on the danger posed by the Russian shadow fleet and stressed the need to increase defens...

Zelenskyy expresses support for Trump’s strategies to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy expresses support for Trump’s strategies to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. In an interview with Il Foglio, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that American leader Donald Trump sends a “signal of a strong man” when he openly discusses his desire to end the war...

Zelenskyy negotiates the strengthening of Russian sanctions and the opening of negotiation clusters.

Zelenskyy negotiates the strengthening of Russian sanctions and the opening of negotiation clusters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Krakow with President of the European Council Antonio Costa. Zelenskyy stressed the need to strengthen sanctions pressure as an essential tool for influe...

Analysts have identified the advantages Ukraine would gain from receiving frozen Russian assets in their entirety.

Analysts have identified the advantages Ukraine would gain from receiving frozen Russian assets in their entirety. Confiscating $300B in frozen Russian assets would provide Ukraine with a better opportunity to win the war, the most critical issue for the country today, according to Bill Browder, head of the Britis...

The opening of the Fundamentals cluster in the negotiations concerning Ukraine’s EU membership hinges on three political decisions.

The opening of the Fundamentals cluster in the negotiations concerning Ukraine’s EU membership hinges on three political decisions. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that technical work to initiate clusters within the negotiation framework for Ukraine’s EU membership is ongoing. To launch the first Funda...

The EC may not continue preferential trade with Ukraine in its current form: What changes are being proposed?

The EC may not continue preferential trade with Ukraine in its current form: What changes are being proposed? The European Commission is reportedly considering discontinuing the preferential trade regime for Ukraine as it stands in June and has already begun negotiations on new terms. However, there is no con...

Tuesday, January 28

Can a decline in oil prices end the Russian war against Ukraine?

Can a decline in oil prices end the Russian war against Ukraine? US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg believes that stopping Russian aggression against Ukraine will require a reduction in the price of oil to $45 per barrel. The President of the Str...

The EU has agreed to extend Russian sanctions; the EC will negotiate gas transit terms with Ukraine with Slovakia and Hungary’s participation.

The EU has agreed to extend Russian sanctions; the EC will negotiate gas transit terms with Ukraine with Slovakia and Hungary’s participation. On January 27, the EU Council of Ministers extended its economic sanctions targeting Russia for another six months. The previous restrictions were due to expire on January 31, but they will now be in ...

New opportunities arise to confiscate Russian assets.

New opportunities arise to confiscate Russian assets. A significant portion of the Russian assets that were stored in debt securities in the Belgian Euroclear depository, is now resting in accounts belonging to correspondent banks in cash after the secur...

The EC may delay its plan to phase out Russian LNG.

The EC may delay its plan to phase out Russian LNG. The European Commission is likely to postpone the planned publication date of a roadmap for phasing out the last types of Russian fuel imports, including liquefied natural gas, Bloomberg reports. The ...

Monday, January 27

Zelenskyy and Sandu discuss gas issues in Kyiv: Ukraine is ready for fuel transit from Azerbaijan.

Zelenskyy and Sandu discuss gas issues in Kyiv: Ukraine is ready for fuel transit from Azerbaijan. After talks in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Moldovan President Maia Sandu issued a joint statement condemning the suspension of Russian gas supplies to Transnistria, an independen...

Trump might guarantee Ukraine’s security through US peacekeepers under certain conditions.

Trump might guarantee Ukraine’s security through US peacekeepers under certain conditions. According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration is ready to deploy US troops in Ukraine as part of a post-ceasefire peacekeeping mission, but only under certain conditions. In exchange for the deploy...

What leverage will enable Trump to achieve peace in Ukraine?

What leverage will enable Trump to achieve peace in Ukraine? To force the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to the table and begin serious peace talks, US President Donald Trump needs leverage. Steven Pifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, believes that this sho...

The US wants to provide Ukraine with weapons using frozen Russian assets, and Europe will pay for it.

The US wants to provide Ukraine with weapons using frozen Russian assets, and Europe will pay for it. The US President’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said that the US is mulling the possibility of purchasing American weapons for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. “...

Trump seeks to collapse oil prices and deprive Putin of resources to fund his war; Saudi Arabia and Russia have responded.

Trump seeks to collapse oil prices and deprive Putin of resources to fund his war; Saudi Arabia and Russia have responded. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Alibrahim, in response to US President Donald Trump’s call to reduce oil prices, noted that his country is focused on the oil market...

The US has suspended foreign aid programs, except for military assistance to Ukraine.

The US has suspended foreign aid programs, except for military assistance to Ukraine. On January 24, the US State Department paused most foreign aid programs for 90 days. USAID representatives were ordered to stop all projects related to Ukraine. These include projects in health care, ...

Ukraine wants the EU and the US to participate in the negotiations to end the war.

Ukraine wants the EU and the US to participate in the negotiations to end the war. “Regarding the structure of the negotiations: I hope Ukraine, America, Europe, and the Russians will be there. I want Europe to take part because we will be members of the European Union,”...

The US has suspended the admission of migrants, and Ukraine is preparing for its refugees to return from the European Union.

The US has suspended the admission of migrants, and Ukraine is preparing for its refugees to return from the European Union. The US Department of Homeland Security has suspended programs that allowed migrants to temporarily settle in the US, in particular a key initiative that provides entry for Ukrainians. The Uniting for ...

Euroclear is wary of the negative consequences of confiscating Russian assets.

Euroclear is wary of the negative consequences of confiscating Russian assets. Confiscating frozen Russian assets could have unintended consequences that would hurt the international financial system, said Valerie Urben, Euroclear CEO, which holds most of Russia’s frozen a...

The Czech Republic has prepared an EU integration plan for Ukraine and Moldova.

The Czech Republic has prepared an EU integration plan for Ukraine and Moldova. The Czech plan covers specific measures in energy, agriculture, telecommunications, and several other sectors. The initiative has already received support from eight EU countries, including Germany, S...

Friday, January 24

Trump makes another strong step toward ending the war in Ukraine by pushing Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil prices.

Trump makes another strong step toward ending the war in Ukraine by pushing Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil prices. At the World Economic Forum via teleconference, President Donald Trump said he will demand Saudi Arabia and OPEC reduce the cost of oil and will ask Riyadh to increase a planned US investment package ...

More weapons in exchange for lowering the mobilization age: Zelenskyy identifies the prerequisite for negotiations with Russia.

More weapons in exchange for lowering the mobilization age: Zelenskyy identifies the prerequisite for negotiations with Russia. The US may put forward a condition for the provision of additional military aid to Ukraine – lowering the mobilization age for men. President Zelenskyy has refrained from raising the conscription age,...

The Russian elite has begun considering peace talks with Ukraine, but there is a nuance.

The Russian elite has begun considering peace talks with Ukraine, but there is a nuance. Economic difficulties are prompting some of the Russian elite to believe that the conflict in Ukraine must be resolved through negotiation. This week, US President Donald Trump said that levying addit...

Ukraine and its allies are discussing the deployment of up to 50,000 peacekeepers.

Ukraine and its allies are discussing the deployment of up to 50,000 peacekeepers. As reported by Politico and the FT, current talks are focused on forming a deterrent force pulled from five to six different European countries that would guard the line of contact in the event of a c...

Ukraine and Sweden will sign a bilateral cooperation agreement in the defense industry; Sweden is expected to invest in Ukraine’s long-range capabilities.

Ukraine and Sweden will sign a bilateral cooperation agreement in the defense industry; Sweden is expected to invest in Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. Representatives from Ukraine and Sweden agreed on a bilateral agreement to support the implementation of joint projects in the defense industry and discussed substantive proposals for their creation, ...

The EU, along with two individual countries, are launching a €14M program to support Ukraine’s European integration.

The EU, along with two individual countries, are launching a €14M program to support Ukraine’s European integration. In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Olga Stefanishyna, the EU, Denmark, and Lithuania reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine̵...

Thursday, January 23

NATO states that Russia lacks the potential for a breakthrough on the front.

NATO states that Russia lacks the potential for a breakthrough on the front. The US Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, believes that Russia currently lacks the military potential for a large-scale breakthrough on the front. At the World Economic Forum...

Trump instructs Kellogg to end war in Ukraine in 100 days.

Trump instructs Kellogg to end war in Ukraine in 100 days. US President Donald Trump has instructed his special envoy for the Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, to end the war in 100 days. According to the WSJ, Kellogg will advise Trump on negotiations, but ...

US State Department: We want to end the war against Ukraine so that it does not happen again; Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and sanctions.

US State Department: We want to end the war against Ukraine so that it does not happen again; Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and sanctions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Donald Trump’s promise to end the war will become an official priority of US foreign policy. “We do not want the conflict to end and then resume...

Zelenskyy: Ukraine must first receive strong security guarantees from the US and American peacekeepers to end the war.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine must first receive strong security guarantees from the US and American peacekeepers to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that any effective peacekeeping force deployed in Ukraine must include US troops. He added that European allies do not have enough soldiers to deter Putin ...

Wednesday, January 22

Trump officially becomes US president: He promises to end all wars and states that Putin is destroying Russia, but does not mention Ukraine.

Trump officially becomes US president: He promises to end all wars and states that Putin is destroying Russia, but does not mention Ukraine. Donald Trump was sworn in, officially becoming the 47th president of the United States. After taking office, he said that he would focus on ending all wars in the world and building “the stronge...

Markets in the US and EU react differently to Trump’s new energy policy.

Markets in the US and EU react differently to Trump’s new energy policy. On Monday, 47th US President Donald Trump declared an energy emergency, allowing energy extraction in places previously where it was previously prohibited. “We will drill. We will become a rich ...

The Senate approves the new US Secretary of State; Rubio says that Ukraine and Russia must both agree to concessions to end the war.

The Senate approves the new US Secretary of State; Rubio says that Ukraine and Russia must both agree to concessions to end the war. A few hours after US President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the Senate confirmed Marco Rubio for the post of US Secretary of State. He becomes the first Cabinet official of the new administratio...

Zelenskyy in Davos: We need a diplomatic solution to end the war.

Zelenskyy in Davos: We need a diplomatic solution to end the war. It is necessary to achieve a diplomatic means to end the war, but whether the peace will be stable and fair depends on what this diplomacy and security guarantees turn out to be, said President Zelens...

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