European Union

Keith Kellogg will visit Germany, Belgium, and Ukraine on February 13-22 to promote a plan to end the war. At the Munich conference, he will present an offer of military support in exchange for resources.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and seven European countries declared their readiness to increase support for Ukraine. Europe insists on participating in future peace talks and providing Ukraine with strong security guarantees.

German border guards may refuse entry to Ukrainians who have already received protection in other EU countries. The visa-free regime for short-term travel remains in effect, but it is necessary to prove the tourist purpose of the visit.

Ukraine has signed a memorandum of understanding with Estonia on cooperation in the digitalization of tax administration. The project will last for two years and includes digitalization of services, data protection, and integration with EU systems.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that future peace talks to end the war in Ukraine should be conducted from a position of strength. According to him, the EU and the US should increase assistance to Ukraine to achieve this goal.

Mark Rutte said that NATO would respond with a devastating response in the event of a Russian attack on the Alliance. The Secretary General emphasized the importance of helping Ukraine and strengthening its own defense capabilities.

The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law on simplified drug registration and transparent pricing. The new rules provide for price control of medicines and simplified registration of drugs from the EU, the UK and the US.

69% of Ukrainians believe that the suspension of USAID funding will have negative consequences for the country. At the same time, 59% see this as an element of justice due to the ineffectiveness of some projects.

The National Assembly of Armenia has passed in the first reading a bill to start the EU accession process. The draft law was voted in favor by 63 deputies and supported by a public initiative and the government.

A study by Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University has shown that overconfidence in AI impairs people's cognitive abilities. A survey of 319 IT professionals revealed a direct correlation between confidence in AI and a decrease in critical thinking.

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.