European Union

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a law on raising the excise tax on tobacco products. The cost of a pack of cigarettes will increase by about 40 hryvnias, and the budget will receive more than 20 billion hryvnias.

Ukraine does not introduce toll roads during martial law, but is preparing appropriate legislation. Various toll road models are considered, including a vignette system and attracting private investors.

German foreign minister Anna Lena Berbok announced her readiness to consider the participation of German peacekeepers in Ukraine. France and the United Kingdom are also discussing the possibility of deploying their troops on the front line.

The European Union is lowering the protected status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected". The amendments will take effect in March 2025, unless there are significant objections from the Council of Europe member states.

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier betel has spoken out against Ukraine's accession to NATO due to the risk of new conflicts. At the same time, Luxembourg supports Ukraine's membership in the EU.

The UN has requested гуманіт 47 billion in humanitarian aid for 32 countries in 2025. The current demand for 2024 is only 43% funded, which is one of the worst figures in history.

Ukraine and the EU have signed an agreement on macro-financial assistance of up to 35 billion euros. Repayment of the loan is planned to be carried out at the expense of profits from frozen assets of the Russian Federation in the EU.

Three journalists were injured during protests against the termination of EU accession negotiations in Tbilisi. Security forces dispersed the protesters with water cannons and tear gas.

Starting from January 2025, Lithuania will ban taking driving exams in Russian. Exams will be conducted in Lithuanian and the official languages of the EU, with the exception of Ukrainians with temporary protection.

Thousands of people gathered outside the Georgian parliament to protest against the "Georgian Dream". Special forces use water cannons and tear gas, and protesters respond with fireworks and water.

European diplomacy President Kaya Kallas called on the EU to fulfill its promises of military assistance to Ukraine. The EU is working on new sanctions against Russia and unblocking 6.5 billion euros from the European Peace Fund.

The French parliament will vote on a vote of no confidence in the government of Michel Barnier. The Prime Minister may become the record holder for the shortest term in office in the modern history of the country.

"Doobra farm" from Bohuslav region won two bronze awards at the World Cheese Awards 2024. The company represents Ukraine at the prestigious international cheese competition for the third year in a row.

The Cabinet of ministers appointed Igor Smelyansky as the Government Commissioner for Customs Reform. He will coordinate Customs Reform and lead an interdepartmental working group with a wide range of tasks.

The parliament adopted a law on contingent liabilities, which will allow receiving $50 billion from the G7. The loan will not need to be repaid if Ukraine does not receive reparations from the Russian Federation.

Georgian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Tem Maisuradze announced her resignation due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process. Earlier, the ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States announced their resignations.

Mass protests against the policies of the government and the Georgian Dream party continue in the center of Tbilisi. Demonstrators accuse the authorities of deviating from the European course, and the police use force to disperse the actions.

The president of Ukraine said that there are insufficient contacts with the newly elected US President Donald Trump. Zelensky stressed the importance of maintaining the support of the United States and the EU in the war against Russia.

Students went on strike at the Batumi University of Arts and other educational institutions of Georgia. The protesters oppose the government's decision to suspend negotiations with the EU until 2028.

In the Georgian capital, police used force against demonstrators protesting because of the authorities ' refusal to negotiate with the EU. Special forces use water cannons and tear gas.

The president of Ukraine announced constant plans to end the war by 2025 and the need to strengthen the state. At the meeting with the German Chancellor, issues of security and support from the United States and the EU were discussed.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto paid another visit to Moscow during the war. He said that the conflict has no military solution and called for negotiations with Russia.

The unemployment rate in the euro area remains at 6. 3%, while in the EU - 5.9%. The lowest rates were recorded in the Czech Republic, Malta and Poland, while the highest rates were recorded in Spain and Greece.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemns the suppression of protests in Georgia and rejects statements about the "Ukrainian scenario". Georgian authorities suspended negotiations with the EU, prompting mass protests and detentions of 224 people.

In Georgian cities, students and schoolchildren are on massive strike because of the government's decision to freeze the process of negotiations on EU membership. The minister of education demands to resume training and threatens private institutions with revocation of licenses.

Zurab Japaridze was detained on Chavchavadze Avenue after clashes with police over road closures. The opposition coalition "for change" is trying to establish the location of its leader.

MEPs have called on the European Commission to impose sanctions against the leadership of the Georgian Dream because of the authoritarian seizure of power. The Baltic states have already agreed to impose national sanctions against the suppression of protests in Georgia.

The NBU set the official Hryvnia exchange rate at UAH 41. 5847/USD. by strengthening it by 1 kopeck. In exchangers, the dollar is traded at 41.75−41.81 UAH, the euro - at 44.22−44.40 UAH.

Clashes between protesters and police continue in Tbilisi for the fourth night in a row over the suspension of EU accession negotiations. The opposition accuses the government of pro-Russian policies and deviating from the Western course.

Georgia's ambassadors to several EU and US countries are resigning due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process until 2028. Among those who resigned are ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States.