Politics

Monday, April 15

The EU will provide Ukraine with €3.4B in transition financing and allocate €121M for EBRD recapitalization to increase assistance to Ukraine.

The EU will provide Ukraine with €3.4B in transition financing and allocate €121M for EBRD recapitalization to increase assistance to Ukraine. The EC has made the first €4.5B payment of transitional financing for Ukraine, and the next payment of €1.5B is planned for this month, subject to Ukraine’s compliance with all established conditions....

Due to new EU restrictions and increased control over transporters, Ukrainian farmers should look for alternative sales markets.

Due to new EU restrictions and increased control over transporters, Ukrainian farmers should look for alternative sales markets. Deputy Minister of Agricultural Policy Taras Vysotskyi said that, starting in June, the EU will introduce restrictions on importing certain types of Ukrainian agricultural products if their supply exc...

Friday, April 12

Donald Tusk: The EU must use the frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.

Donald Tusk: The EU must use the frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. During a news conference in Warsaw on April 11, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the European Union should tap Russia’s frozen assets to help Ukraine because the windfall profits alone are insuf...

Thursday, April 11

Sitting on two chairs: The US criticizes Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries over fear of rising global fuel prices.

Sitting on two chairs: The US criticizes Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries over fear of rising global fuel prices. US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin criticized Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries in Russia. He stated that these strikes could negatively affect the availability of energy resources globally. “It...

The US approves the emergency sale of Hawk air defense systems equipment to Ukraine for $138M.

The US approves the emergency sale of Hawk air defense systems equipment to Ukraine for $138M. On April 9, the US State Department authorized the emergency sale of $138M worth of military products to Ukraine to maintain and repair Hawk air defense systems to help defend against attacks by Russi...

Switzerland plans to provide $5.5B for Ukraine’s reconstruction through 2036, and Luxembourg directs €50M to the reconstruction of Kryvyi Rih.

Switzerland plans to provide $5.5B for Ukraine’s reconstruction through 2036, and Luxembourg directs €50M to the reconstruction of Kryvyi Rih. The Federal Council of Switzerland has approved a financing plan that extends to 2036 for Ukraine’s recovery in the amount of ₣5B ($5.5B). The plan must still be approved by the country’s parlia...

The EU is preparing the 14th package of sanctions, while Russian oligarchs are escaping previous sanctions through the EU court.

The EU is preparing the 14th package of sanctions, while Russian oligarchs are escaping previous sanctions through the EU court. As EC Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis reported: “We have started the preparation of the 14th package of sanctions, which should be adopted in the spring. It will probably include a wide list o...

Germany will help Ukraine to create an analog of its recovery bank and has increased interest in the Ukrainian energy market.

Germany will help Ukraine to create an analog of its recovery bank and has increased interest in the Ukrainian energy market. The German government approved a set of measures to support the reconstruction of Ukraine. One of them is the creation of an analog of the German reconstruction bank KfW, based on the Entrepreneurship...

Western countries must spend $10T on defense to effectively deter dictatorial regimes.

Western countries must spend $10T on defense to effectively deter dictatorial regimes. In 2024, defense spending by European NATO members will reach 2% of GDP ($470B) for the first time. However, to ensure effective defense and maintain its deterrence policy, NATO countries must increas...

Wednesday, April 10

Britain and France seek to deprive Russia of victory and discuss increasing the supply of ammunition and drones to Ukraine.

Britain and France seek to deprive Russia of victory and discuss increasing the supply of ammunition and drones to Ukraine. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed over the phone priorities for the coming months, including increasing the supply of ammunition, drones, and air defens...

Kurt Volker is convinced that the US will approve the Ukrainian aid package in April.

Kurt Volker is convinced that the US will approve the Ukrainian aid package in April. $61B in US aid to Ukraine will be approved in April, according to American diplomat and former special representative of the US State Department for Ukraine Kurt Volker. He noted that the Speaker of t...

Ukraine must “cut” its agricultural sector to join the EU.

Ukraine must “cut” its agricultural sector to join the EU. As Politico writes, tariffs on imported Ukrainian agricultural products, which are currently under discussion, are necessary to correct the “inequality” in the trade balance between Ukrain...

Germany will mobilize the private sector to rebuild Ukraine, and Italy will form a list of interested companies.

Germany will mobilize the private sector to rebuild Ukraine, and Italy will form a list of interested companies. On April 10, the German government will consider a comprehensive document on the mobilization of private sector resources for Ukraine’s restoration, the Ministry of Economic Development of Germany rep...

The European Parliament and the Council of EU have reached a preliminary agreement on continuing trade liberalization with Ukraine.

The European Parliament and the Council of EU have reached a preliminary agreement on continuing trade liberalization with Ukraine. Thus, import duties and quotas for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU will be suspended for another year, until June 5, 2025. However, in the event of a significant disruption to ...

Tuesday, April 9

If Ukraine loses, we all lose: The West is trying to increase military aid to Ukraine.

If Ukraine loses, we all lose: The West is trying to increase military aid to Ukraine. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne jointly called on allies to do more to ensure Ukraine’s victory over Russia. Cameron and Sejourne emphasized ...

Greece plans to transfer dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

Greece plans to transfer dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. It is noted that the Greek government plans to sell 108 fighter jets that are currently subject to decommissioning. In particular, the conversation is about 32 units of F-16C/-D Block 30. In July 2022...

Ukraine’s debt to the IMF is recognized as stable and is not subject to restructuring.

Ukraine’s debt to the IMF is recognized as stable and is not subject to restructuring. To the question of whether the IMF can write off Ukraine’s approximately $15B in debt, taking into account an analysis of Ukraine’s debt sustainability, the top manager of the IMF, Julie K...

Monday, April 8

NATO is informally discussing ending the war and Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance in exchange for territorial concessions.

NATO is informally discussing ending the war and Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance in exchange for territorial concessions. According to La Republica, experts are considering such a scenario and so far, it has not been evaluated from a political point of view. At the same time, all decisions related to the war in Ukraine a...

As US aid becomes increasingly distant, Ukraine agrees to loans.

As US aid becomes increasingly distant, Ukraine agrees to loans. Disputes between Republicans in the House of Representatives of the US Congress and threats to remove Speaker Mike Johnson from his post may cause the long-awaited decision on funding to support Ukrai...

South Korea will allocate $2.3B in aid to Ukraine, Lithuania has sent armored personnel carriers and drones, and Estonia has found another million shells.

South Korea will allocate $2.3B in aid to Ukraine, Lithuania has sent armored personnel carriers and drones, and Estonia has found another million shells. Seoul will provide Kyiv with a medium- and long-term $2.3B aid package starting this year and will also offer $12M to rehabilitate wounded Ukrainian soldiers through the NATO Trust Fund for Aid to Ukr...

The Russian Federation’s frozen assets: What is Ukraine waiting for, and what is it already receiving?

The Russian Federation’s frozen assets: What is Ukraine waiting for, and what is it already receiving? Deputy Head of the Office of President Iryna Mudra reported that to speed up the receipt of frozen assets from the US the REPO act, which would allow the US president to seize Russian sovereign assets...

The IMF plans to discuss Ukraine at the spring meetings with the WB.

The IMF plans to discuss Ukraine at the spring meetings with the WB. The top manager of the IMF, Julie Kozack, said: “We will discuss during the spring meetings on April 15 (between the IMF and the World Bank) the situation in Ukraine and the critical importance of the...

Friday, April 5

€100B from NATO is not enough: Lithuania insists on increasing the financing amount for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including within the limits of bilateral commitments.

€100B from NATO is not enough: Lithuania insists on increasing the financing amount for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including within the limits of bilateral commitments. As NATO members discuss the creation of a €100B five-year fund to support Ukraine, Lithuania is taking the position that these efforts may also include bilateral aid, Lithuania’s ambassador to t...

NATO member countries have accepted Stoltenberg’s idea of a €100B fund for Ukraine “with a squeal.”

NATO member countries have accepted Stoltenberg’s idea of a €100B fund for Ukraine “with a squeal.” According to diplomats, it is unknown whether the NATO member countries will be able to reach an agreement on €100B in multi-year aid for Ukraine. Several members of the Alliance have stated that the ...

Poland, France, and Germany believe that the concession policy towards Putin was naive.

Poland, France, and Germany believe that the concession policy towards Putin was naive. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine proved that the policy of concessions was “naive,” emphasized the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, and her colleagues ...

Latvia will transfer €1M worth of drones, launch joint production of shells and drones, and prepare a security agreement for Ukraine.

Latvia will transfer €1M worth of drones, launch joint production of shells and drones, and prepare a security agreement for Ukraine. Latvia will soon hand over €1M worth of domestically produced drones to Ukraine. As part of the drone coalition, it plans to allocate at least €10M this year. The Latvian government announced another ...

Europe and the US have intensified efforts to find Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

Europe and the US have intensified efforts to find Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine. The heads of diplomacy from Ukraine and the EU discussed military support for Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, said: “I am grateful to Josep Borrell for his wi...

Estonia has provided €10M in guarantees to the EIB fund for Ukraine.

Estonia has provided €10M in guarantees to the EIB fund for Ukraine. The European Investment Bank and Estonia signed a contribution agreement, according to which Estonia provides €10M to the EU for Ukraine Fund. The fund, launched by the EIB in 2023, is part of a large...

Thursday, April 4

Is the White House ready to make gas concessions to help Ukraine?

Is the White House ready to make gas concessions to help Ukraine? Reuters sources in the White House said that US officials are ready to end the pause announced by President Biden on the approval of liquefied natural gas exports to get the aid package for Ukraine ap...

NATO seeks to increase support for Ukraine to persuade Russia to negotiate.

NATO seeks to increase support for Ukraine to persuade Russia to negotiate. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said before a meeting of foreign ministers from NATO countries that the Alliance’s transition to long-term commitments to support Ukraine are designed to ...

Finland will provide Ukraine with a €188M military aid package and signed a security guarantee agreement.

Finland will provide Ukraine with a €188M military aid package and signed a security guarantee agreement. Finland has announced a new aid package to Ukraine worth €188M. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said that this is the 23rd aid package to Ukraine. “It contains means for anti-aircraft defense ...

Denmark is working on a new aid package for Ukraine, and Estonia wants to create a joint defense enterprise and a €20M support package.

Denmark is working on a new aid package for Ukraine, and Estonia wants to create a joint defense enterprise and a €20M support package. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s priorities in defense support. “We discussed Ukraine’s priority ...

Sanctions against the Russian mining and metallurgical industry: Will Ukraine benefit?

Sanctions against the Russian mining and metallurgical industry: Will Ukraine benefit? As a result of European sanctions on the Mining and Metallurgical Industry (MMI), Russia’s export of metallurgical raw materials, semi-finished products, rolled steel, and pipes to the EU decrea...

The EU continues to work on reparations for Ukraine: €37B in private and €208B in state assets of the Russian Federation are frozen.

The EU continues to work on reparations for Ukraine: €37B in private and €208B in state assets of the Russian Federation are frozen. As European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, stated: “We are working on this issue regarding Russian frozen assets, whether private or public. We have €37B of private assets in Europe ...

Wednesday, April 3

NATO has proposed a $100B five-year fund to aid Ukraine, but all members must reach agreement on the measure.

NATO has proposed a $100B five-year fund to aid Ukraine, but all members must reach agreement on the measure. According to Bloomberg, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposes establishing a fund of allied contributions worth $100B over five years for Ukraine as part of a package that alliance leaders ...

The US aid package for Ukraine is again under threat; Democrats are not happy with the confiscation of Russian assets.

The US aid package for Ukraine is again under threat; Democrats are not happy with the confiscation of Russian assets. Democrats are outraged by US House Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to provide aid to Ukraine. According to Axios, the Democratic concern is centered around using the REPO act to confiscate frozen Ru...

The US is preparing to transfer $5-8B of Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The US is preparing to transfer $5-8B of Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Congress is preparing a bipartisan bill that would allow the confiscation of $5-8B of the Russian Federation’s sovereign assets that are currently under the US’ jurisdiction and use them t...

Tuesday, April 2

US support for Ukraine is subject to changes, approval is expected by April 22.

US support for Ukraine is subject to changes, approval is expected by April 22. Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, Mike Johnson, said that after the end of the Easter vacation, he plans to submit for consideration a bill on additional aid to Ukraine, whic...

Ukraine’s accession to the EU will trigger an influx of foreign investment and changes in the financial sector.

Ukraine’s accession to the EU will trigger an influx of foreign investment and changes in the financial sector. The country’s accession to the EU entails a sharp increase in private foreign direct investment, said Tomas Fiala, CEO of Dragon Capital. “If you look at private investments in Poland, dur...

Poland is preparing changes for refugees from Ukraine, and Germany is simplifying employment.

Poland is preparing changes for refugees from Ukraine, and Germany is simplifying employment. The Polish government wants to simplify the system of obtaining temporary residence permits for Ukrainians. The government has prepared a system allowing all persons with a PESEL UKR, without exceptio...

Monday, April 1

Military aid to Ukraine: one million shells, €1B in loans from Poland, and €100M from Belgium.

Military aid to Ukraine: one million shells, €1B in loans from Poland, and €100M from Belgium. The participants of the Czech initiative to purchase artillery ammunition for the needs of Ukraine signed an agreement under which our country will receive one million rounds of ammunition. Initially,...

France is increasing military support for Ukraine and sending more weapons.

France is increasing military support for Ukraine and sending more weapons. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said his country will deliver hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine in 2024 and early 2025 as part of a new military aid package. Paris has also prepared a ...

The EU is being called on to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia because they themselves are not ready for war.

The EU is being called on to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia because they themselves are not ready for war. During his Easter wishes, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reminded listeners of the need for a just peace and called for further support for Ukraine. He emphasized that Ukraine’s support is needed...

Ukraine will defer payments on its national debt with the US, and the Eurobond restructuring might include a partial debt write-off.

Ukraine will defer payments on its national debt with the US, and the Eurobond restructuring might include a partial debt write-off. Ukraine and the US signed an agreement to postpone public debt payments with a group of Ukraine’s creditors from the G7 countries and the Paris Club. At the same time, the debt sustainability analysis...

Ukrainian and Polish farmers agree on the export of a wide range of products, but not grain.

Ukrainian and Polish farmers agree on the export of a wide range of products, but not grain. Trade negotiations between Ukraine and Poland continue not only between governments but also at the level of agricultural associations. As a result, Ukraine reached an agreement on exporting chicken m...

Friday, March 29

Germany has provided Ukraine with a large package of military aid, and hundreds of thousands more shells are being prepared.

Germany has provided Ukraine with a large package of military aid, and hundreds of thousands more shells are being prepared. Germany handed over a package of military aid to Ukraine, which included nine Carrier Warthog tracked command all-terrain vehicles, 18,000 155 mm shells, six WISENT 1 demining tanks, trucks, engineeri...

The EU has agreed on new terms for Ukraine’s trade benefits.

The EU has agreed on new terms for Ukraine’s trade benefits. Ambassadors from the EU member states reached a compromise on the issue of extending the preferential trade regime with Ukraine for another year. The agreement provides that the base period that will ...

Ukraine and Poland could not agree on unblocking the border; more time is needed.

Ukraine and Poland could not agree on unblocking the border; more time is needed. Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Solskyi commented on the meeting results in the tripartite format, Ukraine-Poland-EU. Negotiations on the issues of unblocking the border and finding common position...

Thursday, March 28

France will pressure arms manufacturers to speed up aid to Ukraine and is preparing the transfer of 78 Caesar howitzers and 400 drones.

France will pressure arms manufacturers to speed up aid to Ukraine and is preparing the transfer of 78 Caesar howitzers and 400 drones. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he is ready to use his powers to requisition industrial capacity or impose priorities on arms manufacturers to speed up the production of weapons and amm...

What should Ukraine expect from its international partners in 2024?

What should Ukraine expect from its international partners in 2024? In the first quarter of the year, Ukraine plans to receive almost $10.2B from partners, notes the Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Danylo Hetmantsev. In particular: $4.88B from the EU (Ukraine Fa...

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