The number of citizens' appeals regarding violations of labor rights in Russia exceeded 70,000, which is 50% more than last year. Wage arrears reached 2.2 billion rubles, which is the highest level since August 2020.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not be able to independently finance an 800,000-strong Armed Forces. Partial funding of the army by partners is being considered as a security guarantee.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that there is no threat to Ukraine's export potential, but there are risks of increasing Russian attacks. Constant shelling of Odesa region may be related to attempts to disrupt the grain corridor.
Tomorrow, December 21, hourly power outage schedules and capacity restrictions will be introduced in Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksiy Kuleba stated that he sees no preconditions for fuel price increases after the strikes on the Odesa region. He held talks with gas station operators and carriers, who confirmed the absence of a threat of price hikes.
President Zelenskyy commented on the EU's decision to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros for 2026-2027 without using frozen Russian assets. He noted that this decision would affect peace talks, as provisions regarding reconstruction and Russian assets were envisioned in peace agreements.
EU taxpayers will pay €3 billion annually in interest on a loan to finance Ukraine's defense. The new plan will provide Ukraine with €45 billion next year, with the remaining funds to be paid in 2027.
Ukraine and Portugal have signed a statement on partnership for the production of naval drones. Portugal also supported a financial security guarantee for Ukraine worth 90 billion euros.
Leading Russian funeral companies earned 14. 872 billion rubles in 2024, which is 24% more than a year earlier. Coffin prices increased by 84%, and grave digging by 51% since the beginning of 2022.
Japan has decided to provide Ukraine with additional financial support for the next year, totaling approximately $6 billion. President Zelenskyy thanked Japan and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for this decision, which will strengthen Ukraine's defense.
The Ukrainian government is promptly eliminating the consequences of the Russian strike on the key bridge between Odesa and Izmail, establishing alternative communication routes. The region is provided with resources, transport operations are being adapted, and business operations are supported, the Cabinet of Ministers assures.
Morgan Stanley is the leading contender to be the lead underwriter for the SpaceX IPO due to long-standing ties with Elon Musk. The SpaceX offering in 2026 is expected to be the largest in history, exceeding $1.5 trillion in capitalization.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, at an away meeting in Zaporizhzhia, reallocated budget funds. Over UAH 700 million was directed to the restoration of medical facilities, energy autonomy of universities, safety of schoolchildren, and aid to affected regions.
A record harvest of sugar beets in Belarus, about 5 million tons, has become a risk factor due to the oversupply in the Russian market. This leads to a drop in sugar prices and a deterioration of the economy for farmers and processors.
The Cabinet of Ministers has not yet approved the procedure for obtaining a certificate for 150,000 hryvnias for the purchase of a vehicle for military personnel, as provided for by the law on strengthening mobilization. The Ministry of Finance has developed a draft resolution, which is processing comments from interested bodies.
Gas prices in Europe have fallen to pre-war levels, but European factories continue to close or relocate. Experts believe that relief came too late, and businesses have lost faith in stability on the continent.
The global oil market is experiencing an oversupply of "black gold," pushing oil prices down. A record 1.3 billion barrels of crude oil are in transit or awaiting buyers in the world's oceans.
EU leaders have decided to lend 90 billion euros to finance Ukraine's defense, avoiding the use of frozen Russian assets. Investors, experts, and analysts are divided on this issue.
The criminal prosecution of Roman Mileshko's group of aviation companies has been ongoing for more than three years without any charges being filed. A number of law enforcement agencies have found no evidence of a crime, which indicates possible pressure from competitors.
In 2025, gold and silver became record-breaking growth leaders in global markets, attracting the attention of both institutional investors and private savers. In 2026, it is important for Ukrainians to consider not only the potential for profit but also the risks of volatility and corrections, as warned by fintech expert Olena Sosedka.
Due to Russian attacks on energy facilities in five regions of Ukraine, consumers have been cut off from power, with over 99,000 of them in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Blackout schedules remain in effect, but additional capacities have been freed up to shorten them.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reported that the procedure for providing compensation to military personnel under the eOselia program has not yet been developed. The law provided for compensation of 50% of the first installment and additional payments after the first and second year of service.
The European Council decided to allocate 90 billion euros in funding to Ukraine for 2026-2027. The funds will be based on EU borrowings without the use of Russian assets and without the involvement of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
The European Union has agreed to finance Ukraine with 90 billion euros over two years. Ukraine will repay these funds only after receiving reparations from Russia, and frozen Russian assets will remain frozen.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed details of the agreement between EU leaders on providing financial assistance to Ukraine for 2026–2027.
The countries of the European Union have agreed to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros in aid for 2026-2027. This was stated by the President of the European Council, António Costa.
US President Donald Trump signed into law the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026 with a record budget of $901 billion. The document allocates $800 million to Ukraine - $400 million for each of the next two years as part of the Security Assistance Initiative, which provides for the purchase of American weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump will sign into law on December 18 the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026, which regulates military pay raises and measures to respond to geopolitical threats, and also provides for the allocation of $800 million to Ukraine for the purchase of American weapons.
European Union leaders have not reached an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Discussions on providing a loan will continue on December 19 at the summit in Brussels.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed confidence that EU leaders will agree on a way to support Ukraine. She expects a solution to be found, despite possible difficulties, as the issue is too important.
