Politics

Thursday, December 21

Ukrainian and Polish businesses are working on a solution to unblock the border starting February 1.

Ukrainian and Polish businesses are working on a solution to unblock the border starting February 1. The Federation of Employers of Ukraine has published the results of negotiations between Polish and Ukrainian business representatives regarding the reopening of the border crossings. “One of th...

Wednesday, December 20

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a year-end press conference in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a year-end press conference in Kyiv. We summarize President Zelenskyy’s press conference: “I need more arguments”: Zelenskyy’s request for additional evidence to justify the military’s insistence on the additional mobi...

Europe is considering the consequences of untimely aid to Ukraine.

Europe is considering the consequences of untimely aid to Ukraine. Due to problems with allocating aid to Kyiv, European officials are considering the implications of a possible Russian victory in Ukraine, writes Bloomberg. Beyond the potentially catastrophic consequ...

The Pentagon warns Congress of the danger of failing to agree on funding for Ukraine by December 30.

The Pentagon warns Congress of the danger of failing to agree on funding for Ukraine by December 30. The US Department of Defense is spending its last $1.07B on purchasing new weapons and equipment to replace those removed from stockpiles and sent to Ukraine. On December 30, this account will be empt...

Visa-free transport given by the EU has increased Ukraine’s exports and imports by road by more than 40%.

Visa-free transport given by the EU has increased Ukraine’s exports and imports by road by more than 40%. Ukrainian exports and imports to and from the EU increased by 47.5% and 44%, respectively, during the agreement on cargo transportation between Ukraine and the EU (transport visa-free), Minister of In...

Tuesday, December 19

The IMF is concerned about Ukraine’s delayed financial assistance.

The IMF is concerned about Ukraine’s delayed financial assistance. The head of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, believes the West should provide financial aid to Ukraine as soon as possible. In her opinion, Ukraine can cope with the likely short-term financing deficit ...

Sweden and Denmark will transfer $263.6M worth of CV90 IFVs to Ukraine.

Sweden and Denmark will transfer $263.6M worth of CV90 IFVs to Ukraine. On December 18, the defense ministers of Sweden and Denmark signed a joint declaration on transferring CV90 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. Initially, Denmark will provide DKK 1.8B ($263.6M), a...

The US continues to discuss aid for Ukraine, and expectations are mixed.

The US continues to discuss aid for Ukraine, and expectations are mixed. Representatives from both parties in the US Congress expressed positive expectations regarding negotiations on migration reform, a prerequisite for approving aid to Ukraine and Israel. However, lawmak...

The EU supports an increase in the financing of the arms fund for Ukraine but has not yet agreed on the amount.

The EU supports an increase in the financing of the arms fund for Ukraine but has not yet agreed on the amount. The leaders of the EU states support an increase in financing for the European Peace Fund (EPF), which allocates funds to purchase weapons for Ukraine. The European Council also emphasized the urgent ...

Monday, December 18

The EU has postponed the allocation of €50B for Ukraine until January 2024.

The EU has postponed the allocation of €50B for Ukraine until January 2024. The European Commission has proposed giving Ukraine €50B in financial aid through 2027. On December 14, EU leaders discussed this initiative at a summit in Brussels. Hungary vetoed the decision on the...

Ukraine must implement more than 2,700 European acts, while 59% of requirements have been implemented in the energy sector.

Ukraine must implement more than 2,700 European acts, while 59% of requirements have been implemented in the energy sector. The government calculated that for EU membership, Ukraine must implement 2,739 acts of EU law, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. According to him, Ukraine has analyzed about 28,000 acts of EU law for...

What kind of aid did Ukraine’s allies allocate last week?

What kind of aid did Ukraine’s allies allocate last week? USAID is increasing the total funding of a grant program to support the innovative transformation and development of Ukrainian enterprises to $11M. About 75 grants will now be provided within the prog...

Germany hands over the second Patriot missile system and is buying €258M worth of ammunition; what other weapons did Ukraine get?

Germany hands over the second Patriot missile system and is buying €258M worth of ammunition; what other weapons did Ukraine get? The second Patriot air defense system with spare parts and missiles from Germany was delivered to Ukraine. Also in the assistance package are all-terrain vehicles, Bandvagn 206 (BV206) military vehicl...

This week, the US Senate will consider a bill to aid to Ukraine.

This week, the US Senate will consider a bill to aid to Ukraine. The leader of the Democratic majority in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, announced that the vote on the budget request from the Biden administration, which includes $60B in spending items related to sup...

Friday, December 15

On Thursday, the 27 leaders of the EU decided to begin accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

On Thursday, the 27 leaders of the EU decided to begin accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The decision marks a major milestone on Kyiv’s determined path to join the European Union once the conflict of Russia’s war is over and represents an endorsement by Brussels of the country’s Western t...

Where will the funds from the five-year, $7B support package from Norway go?

Where will the funds from the five-year, $7B support package from Norway go? Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced four key allocations to Ukraine as part of a five-year support package worth NOK 75B ($7.1B). Funds will be distributed as follows: NOK 135M ($12.79...

The EU will send ammunition by the end of the year, and the US has $1B left for Ukraine.

The EU will send ammunition by the end of the year, and the US has $1B left for Ukraine. By the end of the year, the EU will provide Ukraine with half a million rounds of ammunition, and in 2024 it will deliver the promised million shells, a high-ranking European official told journalists...

Thursday, December 14

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the US lawmakers but could not change the Republicans’ position.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the US lawmakers but could not change the Republicans’ position. Zelenskyy spoke in the US Senate, where he met with the leaders of both parties. He told the senators about Ukraine’s current security and economic situation and the importance of maintaining vi...

The US Senate has said that aid to Ukraine will not be approved before Christmas.

The US Senate has said that aid to Ukraine will not be approved before Christmas. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell believes Congress is unlikely to pass an additional financial package for Ukraine before Christmas, even if both political parties agree on it in the coming da...

The IMF supports a moratorium on Ukraine’s national debt payment until 2027.

The IMF supports a moratorium on Ukraine’s national debt payment until 2027. To that end, the restructuring will be carried out by the middle of 2024, said the head of the IMF mission in Ukraine, Gavin Gray. “An ambitious external commercial debt restructuring should be ...

The US will send $200M in air defenses, the Czech Republic licenses €4.7B in military exports to Ukraine, Latvia will help with the drone coalition, and Scholz promises a Patriot system by the end of the year.

The US will send $200M in air defenses, the Czech Republic licenses €4.7B in military exports to Ukraine, Latvia will help with the drone coalition, and Scholz promises a Patriot system by the end of the year. AIM-9M air defense missiles, air defense system components, and additional ammunition for HIMARS will be included in the US’ $200M package of military aid for Ukraine. In addition, the package w...

Hungary is ready to remove its veto from €50B in EU aid to Ukraine for a “favor” from the EC.

Hungary is ready to remove its veto from €50B in EU aid to Ukraine for a “favor” from the EC. Hungary is ready to lift its veto on the EU’s current €50B funding proposal for Ukraine if the EU unfreezes €30B earmarked for Budapest, which was blocked last year due to problems with the rule...

The Ukraine-Northern Europe summit results: Norway will provide an additional $800M, and Denmark €1B.

The Ukraine-Northern Europe summit results: Norway will provide an additional $800M, and Denmark €1B. Norway will increase its financial assistance to Ukraine by $800M for the payment of salaries, the country’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr said at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. ...

Wednesday, December 13

The US tries to persuade Ukraine to negotiate with Russia.

The US tries to persuade Ukraine to negotiate with Russia. According to the NYT, some US military officials are proposing a new strategy for Ukraine: focus on holding onto the territories it controls and developing its weapon-producing capabilities through 20...

The US is preparing a defense package for delivery to Ukraine by the end of the year, Germany is doubling its aid budget, and Finland is ramping up ammunition production.

The US is preparing a defense package for delivery to Ukraine by the end of the year, Germany is doubling its aid budget, and Finland is ramping up ammunition production. Washington will provide another package of military aid to Kyiv by the end of December, said John Kirby, US National Security Council representative. At the same time, Germany confirmed that it will d...

There is a back-up plan: the EU is preparing extra-budgetary financing for Ukraine to bypass Hungary’s veto.

There is a back-up plan: the EU is preparing extra-budgetary financing for Ukraine to bypass Hungary’s veto. EU diplomats are discussing technical proposals to attract emergency funding for Ukraine outside the bloc’s common budget if Hungary does not waive its veto on a four-year €50B support package t...

The EC approves a plan for the use of the Russian Federation’s frozen assets for Ukraine’s benefit.

The EC approves a plan for the use of the Russian Federation’s frozen assets for Ukraine’s benefit. As a high-ranking EU official told journalists at a closed briefing, the European Commission will not publish the proposal but will submit it to the European Council for study and decision-making. The...

Donald Tusk announces Poland’s decision to unblock the border with Ukraine and demanded Western aid to our country.

Donald Tusk announces Poland’s decision to unblock the border with Ukraine and demanded Western aid to our country. The Seimas of Poland voted to elect the leader of the Civil Coalition, Donald Tusk, to the post of Prime Minister. On December 13 Tusk will be sworn in and then will represent Poland at the EU Council...

Tuesday, December 12

The Fitch agency is convinced that international financial support for Ukraine will not weaken in 2024.

The Fitch agency is convinced that international financial support for Ukraine will not weaken in 2024. International agency Fitch Ratings expects that international aid to Ukraine for 2024 will be only slightly lower than the amount forecasted for 2023, $43B, despite the political risks associated with...

The new PM of Poland promises to unblock the border with Ukraine and announces the shifting of the Hungarian government toward Russia’s position.

The new PM of Poland promises to unblock the border with Ukraine and announces the shifting of the Hungarian government toward Russia’s position. The new head of the Polish government, Donald Tusk, criticized the current government’s actions and said that he will immediately correct the problem of blocked cargo transportation at the borde...

The UK and Norway will lead a sea coalition to help Ukraine.

The UK and Norway will lead a sea coalition to help Ukraine. The new association of countries will supply ships and other means of transport to Ukrainian defenders for conducting combat operations at sea, the British Ministry of Defense reported. The maritime c...

How are restrictions against Russian oil working one year after implementation?

How are restrictions against Russian oil working one year after implementation? After Russia’s full-scale invasion, the gray fleet has accounted for more than half of Russia’s oil exports for the first time. The gray fleet helped Moscow survive the shock of Western sanction...

Poland has opened the largest cargo checkpoint on the border with Ukraine, but two more countries have begun blockades.

Poland has opened the largest cargo checkpoint on the border with Ukraine, but two more countries have begun blockades. Poland has unblocked the Yagodin-Dorohusk cargo checkpoint, announced Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov. He noted that as of 2:00 p.m. on December 11, stable truck traffic was restored, an...

Monday, December 11

Biden is ready to compromise on border security to obtain $61B in aid for Ukraine.

Biden is ready to compromise on border security to obtain $61B in aid for Ukraine. The White House and Congress are in a hurry to conclude an agreement that would provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel and, at the same time, provide resources to control illegal immigration acros...

Western analysts predict a long war in Ukraine, but the US plans to persuade Russia to negotiate with Ukraine by the end of 2024.

Western analysts predict a long war in Ukraine, but the US plans to persuade Russia to negotiate with Ukraine by the end of 2024. As the WSJ notes, Ukraine is shifting to strategic defense after failing to liberate large swathes of territory in its 2023 summer offensive. At the same time, economic and military support from the U...

What “Christmas presents” have Ukraine’s partners prepared for the Russian aggressor?

What “Christmas presents” have Ukraine’s partners prepared for the Russian aggressor? Germany has allocated another package of military aid for Ukraine, which includes 250 rounds of 155-mm artillery ammunition, a LUNA NG reconnaissance complex, 10 VECTOR reconnaissance drones, cars, tr...

The EU will consider a plan to use revenues from Russia’s frozen assets; Britain supports using these assets to help Ukraine.

The EU will consider a plan to use revenues from Russia’s frozen assets; Britain supports using these assets to help Ukraine. The EC must approve a legal proposal regarding the use of income from Russian assets frozen under sanctions in connection with the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion. The decision is expected to...

The Ukrainian Parliament adopts several laws necessary for starting negotiations on joining the EU.

The Ukrainian Parliament adopts several laws necessary for starting negotiations on joining the EU. To fulfill the EC’s criteria for the opening of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, Ukraine’s parliament approved a draft law on increasing the resources of the National Anti-Corrupti...

The EU does not have a back-up plan for opening negotiations on Ukraine’s membership, while Hungary is still against it.

The EU does not have a back-up plan for opening negotiations on Ukraine’s membership, while Hungary is still against it. The EU has no plan B to commence membership negotiations with Ukraine. Still, there is hope that the decision on further funding will be adopted at the summit of the European Council on December 14-15...

Friday, December 8

Aid to Ukraine from international partners has reached a two-year low.

Aid to Ukraine from international partners has reached a two-year low. According to Ukraine Support Tracker analysts, assistance from allies and international partners for Ukraine fell to the lowest level since January 2022. From the end of summer to the end of autumn of...

Ukraine presents the US with its latest weapons request, including F-18 fighter jets, as well as Apache and Blackhawk helicopters.

Ukraine presents the US with its latest weapons request, including F-18 fighter jets, as well as Apache and Blackhawk helicopters. At a closed meeting in Washington, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine presented the US with a list of necessary weapons, which includes F-18 fighters. The latest air defense systems, such as THAAD, Ap...

Biden calls the failure to provide aid to Ukraine the “greatest gift“ for Russia.

Biden calls the failure to provide aid to Ukraine the “greatest gift“ for Russia. A bill under consideration in the US Senate, which would allocate $110B for assistance to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and other purposes, did not pass a procedural vote in the US Senate. “Tonight i...

The EU plans to control all arms supplies to Ukraine while simultaneously working to increase military aid.

The EU plans to control all arms supplies to Ukraine while simultaneously working to increase military aid. The European Union intends to strengthen control over the supply of weapons to Ukraine by creating a pan-European defense market. In particular, the European Commission is developing the European Defe...

Through joint procurement, the EU has supplied Ukraine with only 60,000 shells.

Through joint procurement, the EU has supplied Ukraine with only 60,000 shells. In March 2023, the EU developed a plan to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells, one of the key weapons in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The plan consists of three parts: supplies from the st...

A European donor funds control service will operate in Ukraine.

A European donor funds control service will operate in Ukraine. The European Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) will be deployed to monitor the use of money from international donors, said the head of the State Audit Service, Alla Basalayeva. “We will m...

Thursday, December 7

The US Congress will consider an extension of the Lend-Lease Act for Ukraine.

The US Congress will consider an extension of the Lend-Lease Act for Ukraine. The Ukrainian ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, said that this week Congress should also consider amendments to the defense budget for 2024, including those related to lend-lease program for Ukr...

The US Senate has presented a $111B bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, and strengthen the Mexican border.

The US Senate has presented a $111B bill that would provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, and strengthen the Mexican border. Senate Democrats unveiled a national security package worth about $111B, which includes assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as well as measures aimed at protecting the southern border of the US. More th...

EU ambassadors will discuss the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s membership by December 10.

EU ambassadors will discuss the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s membership by December 10. The EC leaders’ meeting will be held in Brussels on December 14-15. European leaders are expected to discuss the European Commission’s proposals for a political decision on membership talk...

Wednesday, December 6

Ukraine has lost almost ₴10B through the Polish border blockade; The EC seeks to preserve transport visa-free.

Ukraine has lost almost ₴10B through the Polish border blockade; The EC seeks to preserve transport visa-free. Ukraine’s losses are associated with a 40% export drop due to blocked checkpoints. The state budget of Ukraine lost ₴9.3B due to the loss of these customs payments, said the head of the specialized pa...

The UK has given Ukraine advanced missiles to counter the Shahed, and Germany is preparing to hand over unique RCH-155 guns in 2024.

The UK has given Ukraine advanced missiles to counter the Shahed, and Germany is preparing to hand over unique RCH-155 guns in 2024. The UK will hand over to Ukraine the latest Martlet multi-purpose guided missiles that are effective against Shahed kamikaze drones. However, there is still no official information about the transfer ...

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