European Union

Tens of thousands of pro-European demonstrators celebrated the New Year outside Georgia's parliament, continuing their protests against the government. President Salome Zurabishvili joined the protesters, refusing to hand over power to a successor.

Starting from January 1, 2025, Ukraine will introduce new rules for compulsory motor insurance. The amount of payments will increase, the system for calculating the cost of policies will change, and a direct settlement mechanism will be introduced.

On January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria officially became part of the Schengen area. Passport checks at land borders have been canceled, making it easier to travel between EU countries.

The government plans to cover the 2025 budget deficit with $36. 9 billion in external borrowings. The EU, IMF, and the US will be the main donors, and Ukraine's economy may grow by 4.3%.

President Zelenskyy said that the Hungarian and Slovak people support Ukraine, and their authorities should recognize the truth. He emphasized the importance of European unity and warned against cooperation with Russia.

And how much will you have to pay.

A series of New Year's Eve protests demanding new elections are planned in the Georgian capital. Participants will collect humanitarian aid for the needy and hold several marches on Rustaveli Avenue.

Producers of alcohol and bioethanol will pay a guaranteed tax on the maximum possible production volume. The law will remain in force until Ukraine joins the EU or until 2030.

Wholesale prices for tangerines in Europe have reached record levels, approaching €2 per kilogram. The reason was a poor harvest in Turkey and weather disasters in the EU in 2024.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte promised to increase military presence in the Baltic Sea after the incidents with the cables. Poland proposed to make the Baltic Sea a zone of enhanced NATO military control.

Germany suspends 232 million euros worth of development projects in Georgia because of the country's rejection of European integration. Thousands of Georgians protest against the pro-Russian course of the Georgian Dream and demand new elections.

According to a Rakuten Viber survey, 63% of Ukrainians regularly donate to support the Armed Forces, and 27% help in other ways. The majority (53%) learn about the collection from friends and acquaintances.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the creation of a register of certificates for working with animals, which will be launched in 2026. The system will contain data on certificate holders, areas of training, and cases of violations of the law.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico writes a letter to the EU leadership regarding Ukraine's termination of Russian gas transit after 2024.

Zoran Milanovic received almost half of the votes in the first round of the Croatian presidential election. The second round will be held on January 12, as no candidate has gained an absolute majority.

Kaja Kallas said that the number of sabotage attacks in Europe has increased since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU plans to step up measures against Russian ships and is considering the use of frozen Russian assets.

Moldova has uncovered a channel for illegal migration of Ukrainian men through the Transnistrian section of the border. A 23-year-old Moldovan who helped smuggle Ukrainians to the EU was detained.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called on the EU to ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas. According to him, there are enough alternative suppliers of LNG gas on the market.

The Polish government plans to increase electricity production for Ukraine due to a possible suspension of supplies from Slovakia. Bratislava threatens to stop exports because of Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas.

The UK government will provide 4. 5 million pounds to document and investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

In 2024, the number of displaced people in the world increased by 5 million compared to last year. The biggest crisis is in Syria, where 13.8 million people have become refugees inside and outside the country.

The Finnish authorities have moved the Russian tanker Eagle S for a detailed investigation into the damage to the submarine cable. The vessel is suspected of damaging the Estlink-2 electric cable and four telecommunications cables.

The President instructed government officials to work with the EU to maintain the stability of the energy system. Ukraine is looking for alternatives to Slovak electricity imports, which currently account for 19% of the total.

In the EU, all portable electronic devices must now have a USB Type-C port. The new rules apply to smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets, and from 2026, laptops as well.

The President of Ukraine commented on the Slovak prime minister's statement about the possible termination of electricity supplies after January 1. Zelenskyy accused Fico of acting in the interests of Russia and recalled the economic consequences for Slovakia.

Kyrgyzstan has begun construction of a new railroad connecting China with Europe through Central Asia. The 450-500 km long project will allow cargo to be transported bypassing russia.

The NBU refutes myths about the new law on motor third party liability insurance, which will come into force on January 1, 2025. The law provides for a gradual transition to electronic policies and an increase in maximum payments to the European level.

Israel's Attorney General initiates an investigation into Sarah Netanyahu on suspicion of obstruction of justice. She is accused of putting pressure on witnesses and intimidating prosecutors in her husband's corruption case.

The United States and the World Bank have provided $485 million to Ukraine as part of the PEACE in Ukraine project. The funds will be used to cover social and humanitarian expenses of the state budget.

The Cabinet of Ministers has determined the list of goods subject to export licensing in 2025. Quotas for sugar and poultry exports and restrictions on grain exports to five EU countries were established.