European Union

The external independent audit of the NABU has started. Experts will assess the effectiveness of detectives' work, which is important for Ukraine to receive international financial assistance and EU membership.

Shalva Papuashvili signed a package of laws restricting the rights of LGBT people in Georgia. The country's president refused to sign the document, but the speaker of the parliament did so in accordance with the constitution.

Over the past two years, almost 120 thousand transit declarations have been processed in the NCTS system. The number of declarations has increased 3.7 times over the past year, with the total amount of guarantees reaching EUR 450 million.

The Ukrainian Defense Minister discussed expanding cooperation with leading defense companies. Umerov called for the localization of production and the creation of joint ventures, in particular for the production of missiles and drones.

The decree provides for the allocation of at least 26. 3% of GDP to the security and defense sector in 2025. Priority areas of funding have been identified, including the development of the Armed Forces and cybersecurity.

EU ambassadors have approved a new sanctions mechanism aimed at countering Russia's hybrid actions. It will come into force next week, and names will be added to the sanctions list later.

The SBI transferred the case of Oleksandr Zyma to the police after 9 months of investigation. Experts believe that delaying the case could undermine confidence in the state's anti-corruption efforts.

The strategy identifies demographic threats and ways to overcome them in Ukraine. The goal is to ensure demographic growth, preserve human capital, and create conditions for the return of Ukrainians who have been forced to leave the country.

China increased its weight in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index to 27. 8%. This was due to a $3.2 trillion increase in the value of Chinese stocks following the US Federal Reserve's monetary easing and China's stimulus measures.

Andriy Sybiga met with President of Poland Andrzej Duda in Warsaw. They discussed Ukraine's priority defense needs.

The President of Ukraine discussed with the Prime Minister the financial situation and the acceleration of decisions on the use of Russian assets. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for Ukraine.

Georgia has begun to compile a list of “foreign agent” organizations. The list includes the Youth Organization of Ukrainians in Georgia - Svitanok, which helps Ukrainian refugees integrate in the country.

European countries are asking their citizens to leave Lebanon because of the threat of an Israeli offensive. Some governments are organizing charter flights, while others are advising to use commercial flights from Beirut.

PACE adopted a resolution calling for sanctions against Russian state media and propagandists. The document also recognizes the Russian Orthodox Church as an instrument of Russian influence and propaganda.

Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has taken over as NATO chief, replacing Jens Stoltenberg. His main tasks are to support Ukraine, increase defense spending by member states, and maintain US involvement in European security.

The European Asylum Agency (EUAA) recently released data on asylum trends in the European Union for the first half of 2024.

President Zelenskyy has announced that he is preparing to sign the 27th security agreement for Ukraine. The country has already signed 26 such agreements, the most recent being with Ireland in September of this year.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland said that the rule of law and the justice system will be a priority in the negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also emphasized the importance of exhuming the victims of the Volyn tragedy.

Two clinic managers and a lawyer were sentenced to suspended sentences for human trafficking in the field of reproduction.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called on Hungary to support the opening of negotiating clusters on EU accession. The parties also agreed to develop border infrastructure and hold a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission.

The UK will become the first G7 country to phase out coal-fired electricity. The last coal-fired power plant in Ratcliffe-on-Soar will shut down, helping the country meet its climate goals.

Croatia's Prime Minister says that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has pushed more countries into the EU. According to him, Putin has inadvertently become the biggest “promoter” of the EU expansion.

The Center for Monitoring Racist Behavior believes that the president has insulted citizens; the first hearing will take place in 2025.

The President of Ukraine believes that Putin loves his life and therefore should be afraid to use nuclear weapons.

Austria is holding parliamentary elections. The right-wing radical AfD, which criticizes aid to Ukraine, and the current chancellor's AfP, which supports Kyiv, but more moderately than other EU countries, are in the running.

U. S. President Joe Biden commented on the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike. He called it “a measure of justice” and reaffirmed his support for Israel's right to self-defense.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell criticized Hungary for participating in a meeting on a “peace plan” for Ukraine organized by China and Brazil. He called it “thinking in terms of surrender” and expressed confidence in the EU's continued support for Ukraine.

russian media outlets are spreading disinformation about the forced deportation of Ukrainians of military age from Poland to the front. This is part of the Kremlin's propaganda, which has no documentary evidence.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has completed a visit to the United States, where he presented his Victory Plan. He met with Joe Biden, Donald Trump and other politicians to discuss support for Ukraine.

russia remains an important energy supplier to Europe, accounting for 15% of the EU's gas imports in 2023.