The Serbian president announces that the Slovak prime minister is scheduled to visit Moscow over the gas issue. Slovakia is looking for a solution after Ukraine announced that it would stop transiting Russian gas from January 1, 2025.
The government has adopted a new decree on subventions for free meals for primary school students. The document expands the list of educational institutions and improves funding mechanisms with mandatory 70/30 co-financing.
Viktor Orban told EU leaders that he was not ready to extend sanctions against Russia until after Trump's inauguration in the United States. At the EU summit, the Hungarian prime minister called on Europeans to “show strategic patience.
The NBU has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 89 UAH/USD, which is 2 kopecks lower than the previous figure. On the interbank market, the dollar is trading at UAH 41.85-41.87, the euro at UAH 43.51-43.52.
Slovakia's Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak called it “unthinkable” to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP. The country plans to remain at 2% of GDP, despite NATO's calls for increased spending due to the threat from Russia.
Zelenskyy meets with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels to discuss Ukraine's accession to the EU. The parties discussed new macro-financial assistance and the use of frozen Russian assets.
The President of Ukraine will hold a series of important meetings with European leaders in Brussels. Talks are scheduled with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and other countries, as well as the EU and NATO leaders.
Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar said that Hungary has gone too far in deviating from EU norms. Even a change of government in 2026 may not remedy the situation due to deep institutional changes.
Slovakia is negotiating alternative solutions for gas transit through Ukraine after the current agreement expires. Gas prices in Europe are declining amid optimistic expectations for 2024 supplies.
The President of the European Commission plans to ask EU leaders to increase aid to repair and modernize Ukraine's energy system. The EU has already provided significant support, but more needs to be done because of the capacity shortage.
Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of opening a basic cluster of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership at the beginning of 2025. Other clusters are planned to be considered during the same year.
The Slovak prime minister will discuss alternative ways of supplying gas through Ukraine with the head of the European Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the preparation of the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The previous sanctions have already led to a fall in the ruble and an increase in inflation in some sectors of the Russian economy by up to 70%.
U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Pyatt supports the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine after the contract expires. The EU is preparing for the end of the contract and plans to completely abandon Russian energy resources by 2027.
Gas companies from four EU countries warned the European Commission of the risks of stopping gas transit through Ukraine. Slovakia is negotiating with Gazprom, but the EC refuses to participate in the discussion.
The European Commission has launched an official investigation against TikTok for violating the law on digital services during the Romanian elections. The platform is suspected of promoting a pro-Russian candidate through fake accounts.
The Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 2. 6 billion from the EU for free hot meals for primary school students. In 2025, the program is to be expanded to all schoolchildren as part of the Winter Support program.
Prime Minister Shmyhal spoke with his Slovak counterpart about energy security and gas supplies. Ukraine is ready to transit any gas other than Russian gas after the current agreement expires in 2025.
The EU has signed contracts to create an IRIS2 network of 290 satellites by 2030. The €10.6 billion project will be implemented through a public-private partnership involving SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat.
In early 2025, Ukraine expects to open additional negotiation clusters on EU accession. The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on European integration laws and forming 35 negotiating groups.
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister called on the EU to approve a joint strategy to counter Russia's hybrid actions. Lithuania, together with 6 EU member states, has prepared a proposal to be considered at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.
The President of Ukraine will attend a meeting of the European Commission in Brussels to consider the EU's strategic vision for the next 5 years. The meeting will discuss the priorities of European integration and the role of the EU in a peaceful Europe.
Frank McCourt announced his readiness to buy the American TikTok for $20 billion from investors. The businessman plans to implement a decentralized protocol and keep advertising in the app.
During the large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, the new European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius was in hiding. The invaders fired 93 missiles and about 200 drones at critical infrastructure.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna reported that Poland did not provide specifics on Ukraine's European integration during its upcoming presidency of the EU Council. The Polish leadership plans to focus on security issues.
Ukraine is advised to regulate the nicotine pouch market following the EU's example, limiting the dosage to 20 mg. Sweden's experience shows the effectiveness of harm minimization strategies in the fight against tobacco addiction.
George Maloney is recognized as the most powerful person in Europe by Politico. Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, and Mark Rutte topped other categories of the ranking.
The survey showed a significant increase in Ukrainians' trust in Donald Trump - from 10. 1% to 44.6%. The most trusted foreign leaders are Ursula von der Leyen and Andrzej Duda, with 65% each.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, entered Politico's ranking of the most influential people in Europe in the “dreamers” category. Putin was ranked second in the “figures” category with the signature “imperialistic.
Protesters brought and burned a coffin with the image of pro-Russian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili outside the Georgian parliament building. This happened against the background of protests against the results of the parliamentary elections.
