European Union

Specialized cannabis shops will be opened in Hannover and Frankfurt am Main starting in 2025. The five-year experiment will involve 4000 participants and will be conducted under scientific supervision.

The European Commission has approved the annual Enlargement Package assessing Ukraine's progress towards the EU. Provided all requirements are met, negotiations on clusters could begin in 2025.

Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö recommends that the EU create its own intelligence service. The proposal is part of a review of the bloc's war and crisis preparedness presented to Ursula von der Leyen.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo has spoken out against Ukraine's Victory Plan in an interview with a Russian propagandist. He said that there were allegedly “real” peace agreements in April 2022.

International donors provide support to small businesses in small towns in Ukraine through grants and consultations. Brovary community attracted over UAH 466 million in investments and created almost 600 jobs during the war.

Russia earns $10-12 billion a month from the shadow fleet, Zelensky said. The capacity of Russia's shadow oil fleet increased by 70% over the year, despite Western sanctions.

The European Commission has stated that it is impossible to start negotiations on Georgia's accession to the EU without changing the country's current course. The report points to problems with the parliamentary elections and the lack of progress in key reforms.

The government has approved a plan to join the European Network of Employment Services (EURES). Ukraine points to the need to study the classification of occupations, the role of intermediaries, and the coverage of students for effective integration.

The President of Ukraine said that Kyiv has never promoted the idea of EU soldiers taking part in combat operations. He emphasized that this is a dangerous topic that could lead to a loss of support.

The President said that Ukraine would not put pressure on citizens abroad to return home. He called on those who can to return and help the country.

At the fourth Ukraine-North Europe Summit, they discussed strengthening defense support, including air defense systems and the Petriot. The partner countries supported Ukraine's Victory Plan and agreed to increase defense production.

If Russia continues its attacks on generation facilities in the winter, power outages of up to 8 hours a day are possible. “Ukrenergo is preparing three winter scenarios, including the worst-case scenario.

The European Commission is preparing a report on the progress of the EU candidate countries. The document will recognize the successes of Ukraine and Moldova, but without specific recommendations for further integration steps.

Ukraine's energy system remains balanced, but the balance is fragile. Ukraine relies on electricity imports from the EU and encourages economical consumption during peak hours.

Josep Borrell expressed concern about violations during the parliamentary elections in Georgia. International observers did not recognize the elections as free, and the President of Georgia called them rigged.

North Korea could earn about $5. 5 billion by supplying weapons to Russia. The DPRK could also send up to 20 thousand of its soldiers to Russia.

Starting March 2025, European operators will be able to review the limits on electricity imports to Ukraine and Moldova on a monthly basis. From December 2024, the import capacity limit will be 2,100 MW.

The U. S. State Department has called on the Georgian authorities to return to the Euro-Atlantic path and stop anti-democratic actions. Washington does not rule out further consequences if the direction of the Georgian government does not change.

According to a poll by Rating, 74% of Ukrainians named the fight against corruption as the most important reform, while only 10% considered customs a priority. 84% of respondents are dissatisfied with the current results of anti-corruption reform.

During his visit to Georgia, Viktor Orban congratulated the Georgian Dream on its election victory. He said that the country had not allowed itself to be drawn into a war with Russia, as it had been with Ukraine.

The Romanian Defense Ministry has drafted a bill to destroy drones that illegally violate the country's airspace. The document provides for the possibility of shooting down drones depending on the level of threat and risk to human life and property.

Iran has executed 69-year-old Jamshid Sharmaghd on charges of the 2008 Shiraz terrorist attack. Amnesty International claims an unfair trial and forced confessions, while the EU condemns the execution.

Starting in December, the maximum capacity of electricity imports from the EU will increase to 2. 1 GW. Ukraine will also receive an additional 250 MW of guaranteed capacity for emergency assistance.

Ukrainians view tax hikes and government actions critically, yet remain hopeful for victory, according to a poll.

The South Korean president announced that a delegation will visit Ukraine to discuss the presence of North Korean troops in Russia. The delegation will brief the EU and meet with Ukrainian intelligence and defense officials.

Ministers from 13 EU countries expressed “deep concern” about the situation in Georgia after the parliamentary elections. They condemned Viktor Orban's premature visit to Tbilisi and said he did not represent the EU.

A protest against the results of the parliamentary elections, where the Georgian Dream party won 53. 93% of the vote, ended in Tbilisi. The opposition and President Zurabishvili demanded an investigation into the fraud and repeat elections.

Japan has agreed to allocate 471. 9 billion yen to Ukraine through a World Bank fund. The funds are part of a $50 billion G7 loan secured by frozen Russian assets.

During Viktor Orban's visit to Tbilisi, local residents booed cars with Hungarian flags on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters chanted anti-Russian slogans, while the Hungarian Prime Minister declared his support for Georgia.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said that Orban's visit to Georgia was purely bilateral and did not represent the interests of the EU. The Hungarian prime minister unexpectedly showed up at the hotel where the opposition is meeting with Western diplomats.