Julia Shramko
A report by the Pontifical Association reports that ten priests have been detained in Belarus over the past year, making Belarus the second country with the highest number of imprisoned priests. It is assumed that Lukashenka's administration is carrying out systematic harassment of the Catholic Church.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said he was working on the issue of using Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo said that Belgium is not against the confiscation of 280 billion euros of frozen assets of the Russian central bank, but is in favor of a clear mechanism.
The European Commission is reportedly preparing a draft decision to extend duty-free trade with Ukraine until June 2025, despite calls from some member states to reintroduce duties.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron plans to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
Despite Donald Trump's previous threats, the United States will not withdraw from NATO, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
Russian troops attacked Beryslav, Kherson region, injuring three people. According to Oleksandr Prokudin, the victims, including a couple in their 60s and a 54-year-old man, received medical assistance.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking at the World Economic Forum, said that he does not think a ceasefire in Ukraine is anywhere near.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko assured that the country has sufficient energy reserves to survive the winter.
The EU has frozen 20 billion euros of funds intended for Hungary, and Budapest must fulfill certain conditions to unblock these funds.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is optimistic that all 27 EU member states, including Hungary, which had previously opposed the decision, will reach an agreement on a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.
Due to the sharp cold snap, Ukraine has seen a sharp increase in electricity consumption, which has led to a 5% deficit in the power system. Ukrenergo calls on the population to use electricity sparingly in these conditions.
Ukrainian Air Force warns of an enemy missile in the direction of Kryvyi Rih.
Ukraine held talks with Belgium, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, on steps towards EU membership with the common goal of holding an intergovernmental conference as an initial stage of accession negotiations. The parties also discussed the use of frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.
Hungary has shown increasing willingness to compromise on the EU's €50 billion funding for Ukraine. Negotiations on potential sweeteners for Hungary are ongoing, and it is hoped that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.
The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reports that there is no shortage of electricity. At the same time, the Ministry calls for reducing consumption during peak hours
Nine more Berkut Black Company officers will stand trial in the case of the mass shootings of activists on Instytutska Street in Kyiv in 2014 during the Maidan.
French President Emmanuel Macron announces that France plans to sign a security agreement with Ukraine and start supplying weapons. Macron is personally planning a February visit to Ukraine to finalize these agreements.
According to the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, a railroad burned again in Russia.
Russian missile strike on Kharkiv hospitalizes 13 people.
The case of deputy Serhiy Batryn, suspected of exploding grenades in a village council in Zakarpattia, may be reclassified as a more serious crime.
Polish strikers unblocked the Korczowa-Krakowiec checkpoint on the Polish-Ukrainian border, while about 300 trucks were waiting to enter Ukraine.
According to the NBU survey, businesses expect to grow for the third quarter in a row, albeit at a slower pace. Inflation expectations are improving, while exchange rate expectations have slightly deteriorated.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban emphasizes that assistance to Ukraine should be provided in a way that does not affect the EU budget.
European manufacturers lose about 16 billion euros ($17. 5 billion) annually to counterfeit products, according to a study conducted by the EU Intellectual Property Agency. The industries most affected are clothing, cosmetics, and toys.
China's economy grew by about 5. 2% in 2023, slightly exceeding Beijing's targets
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the WEF in Davos that Russia is failing both militarily and economically. She added that Ukraine is closer than ever to joining the EU.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, speaking at the WEF, called for global sincerity and trust, which he believes has been undermined recently. He listed five ways to rebuild trust, including strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination, enhancing industrialization for stable supply chains, and promoting scientific and technological cooperation for continuous innovation.
Polish truckers agreed to suspend their protest at the border after reaching an agreement on "certain conditions" with the government. The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure is expected to sign the agreement.
Despite the high consumption of electricity in Ukraine, its production is currently sufficient, and there are plans to import electricity. However, there may be a shortage of electricity