European Union

Wine producers in the EU are adapting to falling demand due to changing consumer habits, especially among young people. Experts recommend developing the market for non-alcoholic wines, which will grow to 14 billion euros by 2031.

The NBU sets the official exchange rate at 41. 66 UAH/USD and 43.01 UAH/EUR. Ukraine will receive the second tranche of EUR 1.9 bn from frozen Russian assets in April.

The Japanese government has asked the United States to exempt Japanese companies from the new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. In 2024, Japan exported more than 480 billion yen worth of steel and non-ferrous metals to the United States.

At the Krakivets checkpoint, two attempts to smuggle medicines from Italy and Germany were detected. Psychotropic drugs and medicines for diabetes and obesity were found in Mercedes cars.

Ukraine received 35 points out of 100 in the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, losing one point compared to last year. One of the main reasons for this is the scandalous appointment of the head of the ARMA.

The draft law on cryptocurrency legalization in Ukraine is ready for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada. The document is based on the European MiCA regulations and provides for the creation of a transparent market for virtual assets.

The Polish Minister of European Affairs announces the second tranche of funds from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. The EU also plans to introduce the 16th package of sanctions against Russia on the anniversary of the invasion.

Ukraine is implementing joint customs control with the EU and modernizing its border infrastructure. By 2030, it is planned to upgrade 29 and build 17 new checkpoints.

Ursula von der Leyen promised to introduce tough measures in response to the new US duties on European steel and aluminum. The European Commission intends to protect the economic interests of the EU, workers and consumers.

In Ukraine, COVID-19-related deaths are more common, although influenza is ahead in terms of the number of diagnoses. The largest increase in the incidence is observed in the western regions due to the larger number of children and migration.

The European Commission intends to restructure multibillion-dollar foreign aid to better align with political interests. The bloc seeks to strengthen alliances and secure strategic interests in a challenging international environment.

The Deputy Head of the OP held talks with a representative of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Ukraine's reconstruction and European integration. Austria has already provided over EUR 800 million in assistance and supports further reforms in Ukraine.

In the center of Tbilisi, police detained protesters, including politician Levan Gogichaishvili, for blocking Rustaveli Avenue.

In Europe, 100,000 new cases of gonorrhea were reported, up 31% from last year and 300% from 2014. The number of syphilis cases increased by 13% to 40,000.

Over the past two days, drones attacked a Rostec helicopter plant, the Kuibyshev-Lisichansk oil pipeline and several refineries in Russia. Targets included facilities in the Rostov, Volgograd and Krasnodar regions.

The European Commission will include support for Ukraine as a “top priority” in its 2025 work program. The document confirms support for Ukraine's future membership in the EU and will be presented on February 12.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have successfully disconnected from the Russian power grid and synchronized with the European one. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls on the EU to abandon Russian energy supplies and use Ukrainian gas storage facilities.

Gas prices in Europe have risen to 58. 25 euros per megawatt-hour due to colder weather and low reserves. The EU's gas storage facilities are only 49% full, which is significantly lower than last year.

Cooperation of Ukrainian communities with twin cities: the way to development and recovery.

EU countries are conducting secret negotiations to seize tankers of the Russian “shadow fleet” in the Baltic Sea. Three mechanisms of detention are being considered: environmental threats, piracy and new national legislation.

More than 1. 14 million Ukrainian refugees chose Germany over Poland as a place of residence. The main reasons were higher salaries, better social benefits, and healthcare services.

French President Macron said that the introduction of US tariffs on European goods would lead to higher inflation in the US. He urged the US to focus on China as the main problem instead of Europe.

The SAPO has opened proceedings against MP Roman Kaptelov over his family's undeclared real estate in Moscow. The case concerns the residence of his wife and children in Russia, as well as his wife's income from a Russian state institution.

The EU is launching a Digital Identity Wallet for the use of electronic documents between countries by the end of 2026. Ukraine is already testing the integration of Diia with this system for SIM card registration and banking services.

The European Commission has responded to Trump's announcement of 25% duties on steel and aluminum from the EU. The Commission is awaiting official clarifications and is ready to defend the interests of European businesses.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO in the near future because of the US position. According to him, the alliance does not accept countries at war.

EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova and EIB Group President Nadia Calvino arrived in Kyiv by train and were met by Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovsky.

The Self-Determination Party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, won 39. 8% of the vote in the Kosovo parliamentary elections. The party will have to look for coalition partners to form a government.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have finally disconnected from the Russian power grid and joined the EU system. The ceremony took place in Vilnius with the participation of the leaders of the Baltic states and the President of Poland.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have synchronized with the EU grid, receiving €1. 23 billion in support. Zelensky called this an important step that will deprive Russia of the ability to use energy as a weapon.