European Union

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will completely disconnect from the Russian power grid on February 8. The countries signed an agreement to synchronize with the European grid back in August 2023.

In different regions of Ukraine, 17 organizers of draft evasion schemes were detained. Among the detainees are doctors, officials, and carriers who helped transport conscripts abroad for $14,000.

The Council of Europe intends to establish a special tribunal to review Russia's aggression against Ukraine by the end of 2025. 40 countries and the EU are already working on the legal framework for the future tribunal.

The EU is considering expanding the definition of defense investment and changing fiscal rules to increase military spending. Poland proposes to include spending on infrastructure and dual-use facilities.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry reports progress in establishing a special tribunal to address crimes of aggression by Russia. A coalition of 40 countries is working on the legal framework.

The International Criminal Court called on 125 member states to oppose the sanctions imposed by the US president. The court in The Hague condemned the actions of the Trump administration and received the support of the US European allies.

Ukraine's international reserves decreased by 1. 8% in January 2025, amounting to $43 billion. The NBU sold $3.76 billion on the foreign exchange market, while receiving €3 billion from the EU.

The Vice Prime Minister said that Ukraine's membership in the EU is not subject to negotiations and will happen regardless of any plans. She also recalled the irreversibility of Ukraine's membership in NATO, which has been confirmed by all allies.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the bill to repeal the Lozovyi amendments may be delayed. The government also introduced a draft law on reforming the ARMA, agreed with the EU.

In February 2025, Ukraine made the first pipeline supply of biomethane to the EU in the amount of 67 thousand cubic meters. Ukrainian producers can export biomethane through the gas transportation system under the same conditions as natural gas producers.

The Vice Prime Minister explained why the EU should be a party to negotiations to end the war with Russia. According to her, Ukraine's membership in the EU is already a fait accompli, and the Union is a key geopolitical player.

The Vice Prime Minister explained that Hungary's blocking of Ukraine's accession to the EU is political in nature. The decision depends on the consensus of all member states and is linked to geopolitical changes in the world.

Ukraine is awaiting the approval of a roadmap to start negotiations on EU accession. The first cluster may open in April, two more in June, and the rest during the Danish presidency.

The Finnish government has submitted a bill to ban real estate purchases by citizens of countries at war. The law will not apply to foreigners with permanent residence permits in Finland.

A Unity Hub center may appear in Prague by June to help Ukrainian refugees return home. The project will be jointly funded by Ukraine, the Czech Interior Ministry and the EU.

Ukraine is ready to start consultations with the European Commission on tariff liberalization. This was stated by Ihor Zhovkva at a meeting with the French Minister of Foreign Trade.

The European Commission intends to extend the requirement for 90% occupancy of gas storage facilities after 2024. The largest storage countries are negotiating to reduce this limit due to the risk of speculation.

The Ministry of Health declares that there is no scientific evidence of the safety of tobacco products for electric heating. Ukraine tightens anti-tobacco legislation and introduces new restrictions on sales and advertising.

Russian billionaires Friedman and Aven sold their stakes in Alfa-Bank to their partner Kosogov for 240 billion rubles. The sale of assets was made in order to challenge EU sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's state and guaranteed debt reached $166. 1 billion. The weighted average cost of debt decreased from 7.79% to 5.09%, and the maturity increased from 6.27 to 12.26 years.

Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to negotiate with Putin in the presence of Ukraine's partners. The Kremlin also declared its openness to talks, despite previous statements about Zelenskyy's “illegitimacy.

The European Commission plans to tighten customs control of goods from Asian marketplaces due to dangerous products. It is considering abolishing the exemption from customs duties on imports of goods below 150 euros.

Latvia is fully prepared to synchronize with the European power grid on February 8-9. President Rinkēvičs warns of possible provocations and disinformation from Russia.

EU and US shipowners have sold 230 obsolete tankers to shell companies to circumvent Russian sanctions. More than half of the vessels were sold to Greek companies for $3.7 billion.

Georgia's ruling party is initiating a new law on media that will limit its funding from foreign sources. The bill will be based on British legislation and will set standards of objectivity and journalistic ethics.

The HACC upheld the claim of the Ministry of Justice and seized Vyacheslav Zanevsky's assets for the benefit of the state. The confiscated property includes a company, 12 land plots, apartments and cash.

The economic crisis in Hungary threatens Viktor Orban's victory in the 2026 elections. High inflation, falling living standards, and a declining birth rate are undermining the Fidesz party's position.

Ukrenergo's Supervisory Board has announced a competition for the position of the company's CEO. The competition will be supported by Korn Ferry, one of the global executive search consultancies.

The EU plans to use an “anti-coercion tool” in response to possible US duties on European goods. Brussels could hit the US technology sector and restrict intellectual property rights.

The US Department of Defense is preparing a plan for the complete withdrawal of troops from Syria within 30-90 days. There are currently about 2,000 US troops in the country, including 1,100 temporary rotational forces.