Politics

Thursday, January 25

Ramstein meeting results in more weapons for Ukraine.

Ramstein meeting results in more weapons for Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has promised to provide six Sea King Mk41 multirole helicopters with components and spare parts. Ukraine will receive 10 multi-functional inflatable vessels fro...

Slovakia will support the €50B allocation and allow private companies to supply arms to Ukraine.

Slovakia will support the €50B allocation and allow private companies to supply arms to Ukraine. The Prime Ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia, Denys Shmyhal and Robert Fico, reached an agreement on several issues, including the EU’s allocation of €50B to Ukraine. Moreover, the parties agreed...

Belgium in the Council of the EU: the liberalization of trade with Ukraine will continue, but the bloc will seek joint solutions to meet the demands of European farmers.

Belgium in the Council of the EU: the liberalization of trade with Ukraine will continue, but the bloc will seek joint solutions to meet the demands of European farmers. David Clarinval, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, which holds the EU presidency, said: “Member countries have once again demonstrated solidarity with Ukraine. The EC will soon announce a pr...

The EU is preparing a large-scale support package for Ukraine with money and weapons to coincide with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

The EU is preparing a large-scale support package for Ukraine with money and weapons to coincide with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. According to FT, the long-awaited agreement to allocate €50B to Kyiv over four years, part of which may be paid out as soon as the deal is concluded, has been reached. €5B in annual military aid and t...

Wednesday, January 24

Ignore the Headlines: Momentum is Moving in Ukraine’s Direction, not Russia’s

Ignore the Headlines: Momentum is Moving in Ukraine’s Direction, not Russia’s For all the talk of the Kremlin’s rising confidence since late 2023, the reality is in fact far from encouraging for Russia. Rather oddly, a nation mired in a foreign war it cannot easily extricate it...

The US held a Ramstein meeting for the first time without additional money for Ukraine.

The US held a Ramstein meeting for the first time without additional money for Ukraine. On January 23, allies held the 18th Ramstein meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, conducted online. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called on global partners to strengthen Ukrainian a...

The EU promises a harsh response to Hungary’s veto on Ukrainian aid.

The EU promises a harsh response to Hungary’s veto on Ukrainian aid. European Union leaders are poised to take a stricter stance on Hungary if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocks a €50B aid package for Ukraine at a summit on February 1. The EU member states are ready to...

EU countries reach a political agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets.

EU countries reach a political agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets. The EU member states have a political consensus to use the profits from the Russian Federation’s frozen assets, said the high representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, after the Council of the EU meeti...

Ukraine and Poland discuss economic cooperation: development of interconnectors, new checkpoints, highways, and the export of agricultural products.

Ukraine and Poland discuss economic cooperation: development of interconnectors, new checkpoints, highways, and the export of agricultural products. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk discussed the further development of electricity interconnectors in addition to the interconnector between the Khmelnytskyi...

Tuesday, January 23

The Polish prime minister visited Kyiv and promised defense support, security guarantees, and help with reconstruction.

The Polish prime minister visited Kyiv and promised defense support, security guarantees, and help with reconstruction. After meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new Polish defense package. According to him, Ukraine will also receive a loan from Poland, which will b...

Here are the new details of the €20B EU military aid fund for Ukraine.

Here are the new details of the €20B EU military aid fund for Ukraine. This week, EU diplomats will begin consideration of a new plan to hasten the supply of military aid to Ukraine. The plan envisages the creation of a dedicated fund, to which €6.5B will be directed fro...

Russia threatens the West with $288B in losses for blocking its assets.

Russia threatens the West with $288B in losses for blocking its assets. Russian propaganda media have calculated that Western companies may lose $288B in response to the confiscation of Russian assets. The G7 leaders will agree to develop a stronger statement of intent to...

Monday, January 22

The US has reached an agreement to finance the government, and next comes aid to Ukraine.

The US has reached an agreement to finance the government, and next comes aid to Ukraine. The FT writes that the US House of Representatives has approved a new bill that President Joe Biden signed to extend the government’s temporary funding until March and avoid a shutdown. Congress...

A Ukrainian diplomat names three options for bypassing Hungary’s veto on €50B in aid.

A Ukrainian diplomat names three options for bypassing Hungary’s veto on €50B in aid. At the EU summit on February 1, Hungary can again veto the provision of €50B to Ukraine for 2024-2027 under the Ukraine Facility program. Approval of this program is Plan A. But there are at least two...

The EU is working on its 13th package of sanctions and wants a €5B reform to the military aid fund for Ukraine.

The EU is working on its 13th package of sanctions and wants a €5B reform to the military aid fund for Ukraine. The EU has started discussions on a new package of sanctions, which it aims to approve by February 24, the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Potential measures could include new l...

The EU can allocate €6-€8B a year to Ukraine from revenues sourced from frozen Russian assets.

The EU can allocate €6-€8B a year to Ukraine from revenues sourced from frozen Russian assets. The Ukrainian ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, said that the EU has about €200B out of the total €300B of frozen Russian assets. It is difficult to transfer the assets outright to Ukraine, owi...

Taurus missiles would help protect civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, but Germany continues to stall.

Taurus missiles would help protect civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, but Germany continues to stall. Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Ivan Gavryliuk said: “These missiles can hit otherwise inaccessible locations that contain enemy aircraft, missile complexes, and ammunition depots. It also...

Zelenskyy’s office announces a plan to stimulate private investment.

Zelenskyy’s office announces a plan to stimulate private investment. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Rostyslav Shurma, noted: “We understand that today there is practically zero investment interest in Ukraine. The main obstacles that are holding us bac...

Friday, January 19

An agreement on aid for Ukraine will be reached next week, as Biden makes concessions.

An agreement on aid for Ukraine will be reached next week, as Biden makes concessions. As the White House has reported, US President Joe Biden held a confidential meeting with Congressional leaders to discuss Ukraine’s urgent need for further assistance. “Lawmakers are expec...

EU leaders in Davos say it is necessary to prepare for war with the Russian Federation.

EU leaders in Davos say it is necessary to prepare for war with the Russian Federation. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevičs said at the summit in Davos that his country should work on the combat capability of its army and prepare for a hybrid war. “The defense industry should streng...

Ukraine will develop investment and business partnerships with Sweden and Switzerland.

Ukraine will develop investment and business partnerships with Sweden and Switzerland. The Ukrainian contingent emphasizes that a war risk insurance infrastructure has been created to allow foreign investors to enter the Ukrainian market, and work is ongoing on additional investment att...

France is implementing a war economy regime to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

France is implementing a war economy regime to support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. France will produce 78 Caesar self-propelled artillery systems, specifically for Ukraine, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu said. He added that Ukraine purchased six of these insta...

1,000 tanks and 400 HIMARS: How Ukraine’s partners help to win the war.

1,000 tanks and 400 HIMARS: How Ukraine’s partners help to win the war. In Davos, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on the allies to provide Ukraine with everything it needs to defeat the Russian Federation. He emphasized that if the West wants to ...

Thursday, January 18

Germany will provide €7B in military aid, and France will transfer 40 SCALP missiles and agrees on security guarantees.

Germany will provide €7B in military aid, and France will transfer 40 SCALP missiles and agrees on security guarantees. US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held a phone conversation on January 16 to discuss further support for Ukraine. “Germany will provide more than €7B in military goods in ...

Germany announces more aid, Latvia forms a drone coalition, and Sweden is thinking about Gripen jets.

Germany announces more aid, Latvia forms a drone coalition, and Sweden is thinking about Gripen jets. New military assistance from Germany includes Leopard 1 tank ammunition, eight armored personnel carriers, 25 RQ-35 HEIDRUN reconnaissance drones, 50 SatCom communication terminals, eight Zetros truck...

After European Council pressure on Hungary, Orban agrees to unlock €50B for Ukraine, but Slovakia is now against the move.

After European Council pressure on Hungary, Orban agrees to unlock €50B for Ukraine, but Slovakia is now against the move. After the announced consideration of a resolution on the deprivation of the right to vote in the Council of the EU, Hungary declared that it is ready to give in and unblock funding for Ukraine. Accord...

The US and the EU insist on providing financial aid to Ukraine as soon as possible.

The US and the EU insist on providing financial aid to Ukraine as soon as possible. As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has noted, the lack of additional funding from the States will be a problem for Ukraine, the US, and the world. “Of the money we are asking for, $50B will be sp...

Belgium, which presides over the EU Council, insists on a clear mechanism for confiscating Russian assets.

Belgium, which presides over the EU Council, insists on a clear mechanism for confiscating Russian assets. “Belgium is not against the confiscation of the €280B in frozen assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank, but there must be a clear mechanism for this. For example, they can be used as colla...

The EC is preparing a draft negotiation framework for Ukraine’s accession.

The EC is preparing a draft negotiation framework for Ukraine’s accession. The European Commission has started work on the negotiating framework for Ukraine – a document that defines the principles and procedures for conducting negotiations on EU accession, said the EC...

Wednesday, January 17

Zelenskyy met with Jens Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken, and the world’s largest businesses in Davos.

Zelenskyy met with Jens Stoltenberg, Antony Blinken, and the world’s largest businesses in Davos. The Ukrainian president discussed the situation on the battlefield with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Ukrainian air defense system....

Switzerland will host the Global Peace Summit and has announced a $1.7B aid package for Ukraine’s recovery.

Switzerland will host the Global Peace Summit and has announced a $1.7B aid package for Ukraine’s recovery. Swiss President Viola Amherd, after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on January 15, confirmed that the Peace Formula summit can be held in Switzerland. In addition, she announced...

The EU is preparing its 13th package of anti-Russian sanctions but keeps buying Russian oil through India.

The EU is preparing its 13th package of anti-Russian sanctions but keeps buying Russian oil through India. The European Commission will begin negotiations with EU countries on the introduction of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia, which are planned to be adopted by the second anniversary of the ...

The European Parliament proposes fixing a GDP share for aid to Ukraine.

The European Parliament proposes fixing a GDP share for aid to Ukraine. Assistance to Ukraine will be more effective if EU countries fulfill their promises without delay. According to a European Parliament discussion, determining a fixed share of GDP to define the amount ...

Germany has initiated an audit of EU military aid to Ukraine and is calling for increased support.

Germany has initiated an audit of EU military aid to Ukraine and is calling for increased support. The European External Action Service (EEAS) wants to audit EU countries’ arms supply to Ukraine so the results can be presented at the EU leader summit, the FT writes. The audit will be conducte...

Tuesday, January 16

Ukraine’s Peace Formula: What was agreed upon in Davos?

Ukraine’s Peace Formula: What was agreed upon in Davos? The fourth round of discussions between national security advisers regarding peace in Ukraine, which took place on January 14 in Davos, ended without a clear plan. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of S...

The World Economic Forum has started in Davos: Zelenskyy plans to attend.

The World Economic Forum has started in Davos: Zelenskyy plans to attend. More than a hundred heads of state and government gathered on January 15 in Davos, Switzerland, for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting. On January 15, President Zelenskyy began a working vi...

Ukraine can attract $300B through reparation bonds as a backup plan.

Ukraine can attract $300B through reparation bonds as a backup plan. Ukraine can raise about $300B by selling bonds secured by future lawsuits against Russia for compensation for the damage it has caused during military operations. “Kyiv will be able to receive this am...

While Germany is preparing for war with Russia, Estonia is preparing Ukraine’s victory plan.

While Germany is preparing for war with Russia, Estonia is preparing Ukraine’s victory plan. Bild writes, with reference to a secret document, that the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) is preparing for a hybrid Russian attack on NATO’s eastern flank in February this year. Escalation bet...

The US will agree to an aid package to Ukraine sooner than transferring frozen Russian assets.

The US will agree to an aid package to Ukraine sooner than transferring frozen Russian assets. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the US, Oksana Markarova, said that the priority for the Embassy of Ukraine is the approval by the US Congress of a $61B aid package. She noted that Ukraine continues rece...

Brussels will offer to continue preferential trade for Ukraine, but Poland is against it.

Brussels will offer to continue preferential trade for Ukraine, but Poland is against it. Today, January 16, the European Commission will propose the extension of the suspension of tariffs and quotas on the import of Ukrainian products until June 2025, writes the FT. At the same time, Poli...

Monday, January 15

100 years of partnership and £2.5B of military support: The results from the British Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv.

100 years of partnership and £2.5B of military support: The results from the British Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv. During Prime Minister of the UK Rishi Sunak’s visit to Kyiv on January 12, he announced the provision of £2.5B (over $3B) in military support to Ukraine over the next financial year. The aid pac...

The US special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction discusses exports, logistics, and strengthening the economy.

The US special representative for Ukraine’s reconstruction discusses exports, logistics, and strengthening the economy. Penny Pritzker arrived in Kyiv on January 12. Along with her, top managers from Bank of America, the agricultural company Archer Daniels Midland, and one of the world’s largest insurers, Marsh M...

Washington suggests how Kyiv can interest American investors in participating in Ukrainian privatization.

Washington suggests how Kyiv can interest American investors in participating in Ukrainian privatization. During a conversation with journalists, the US Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery, Penny Pritzker, said: “The leaders of your government said that there will be privatization...

France, Latvia, and Sweden are arming Ukraine, and Italy is calling for a transition to diplomacy.

France, Latvia, and Sweden are arming Ukraine, and Italy is calling for a transition to diplomacy. Paris is determined to work with Kyiv’s to strengthen Ukraine’s capabilities to produce weapons systems domestically, said French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne during his visit to Kyiv on J...

Orban has achieved concessions from the EU, which seeks to unlock €50B for Ukraine.

Orban has achieved concessions from the EU, which seeks to unlock €50B for Ukraine. The European Commission is ready to accept some of Hungary’s demands in order to overcome its veto of a €50B support package for Ukraine. In particular, the EC is prepared to grant Budapest the ...

NATO predicts that Russia’s war against Ukraine will last at least two more years.

NATO predicts that Russia’s war against Ukraine will last at least two more years. Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Mircea Geoană, announced the Alliance’s expectations of a long-term conflict. He said this is indicated by the fact that neither side shows an ability to win a decisi...

The IMF is assessing the impact of the confiscation of Russian assets on the international financial system, and Russia is preparing its case for the courts.

The IMF is assessing the impact of the confiscation of Russian assets on the international financial system, and Russia is preparing its case for the courts. The top manager of the IMF, Julia Kozak, noted that the fund believes that decisions on the confiscation of Russian assets should be made by the countries where the frozen funds of the Russian Federat...

Friday, January 12

Zelenskyy has appealed to the Baltic countries for help: Estonia will provide €1.2B in support for Ukraine.

Zelenskyy has appealed to the Baltic countries for help: Estonia will provide €1.2B in support for Ukraine. The Russian dictator Putin wants to destroy Ukraine, and after that, other countries bordering the Russian Federation may become targets of his aggression, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Vilniu...

The White House approves confiscating $300B in Russian assets to restore Ukraine.

The White House approves confiscating $300B in Russian assets to restore Ukraine. US President Joe Biden’s administration supports a bill that would allow it to confiscate about $300B in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s restoration. Biden supports the move amid congression...

The EU is close to approving €50B in financial aid to Ukraine, and the money may arrive in the first quarter.

The EU is close to approving €50B in financial aid to Ukraine, and the money may arrive in the first quarter. EU ambassadors approved a “partial negotiating mandate” for a proposal to create a single specialized instrument to support Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction, and modernization whil...

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