European Union

Belgium received €1. 7 billion in profits from russian assets and will use the funds to support Ukrainian refugees and defense needs.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Zvarych, called on Poles to end the blockade of the border with Ukraine, which benefits russia by weakening the economies of both countries and Ukraine's defense capabilities against russian aggression.

Ukraine will not sign a new gas transit contract with russia, but is ready to facilitate transit through its pipelines if initiated by the European Union.

The level of counterfeit banknotes in Ukraine decreased in 2023 to 2. 1 counterfeits per million hryvnias, down from 2.2 in 2022, while in the EU, counterfeiting was almost eight times higher, according to the National Bank of Ukraine.

At the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine signed ammunition contracts with any company that claimed to be able to provide shells due to critical need, but some companies failed to deliver, moving money abroad.

The joint venture with Rheinmetall is already providing repair services in Ukraine and plans to expand its activities to include assembly and production.

The EU is preparing sanctions against about 30 russians and companies in connection with the death of russian politician alexei navalny, which are to be approved on March 18.

The European Commission has fined Apple EUR 1. 8 billion for violating antitrust laws due to the terms of use of the App Store, which disadvantaged competitors in the music streaming market and restricted users.

About two thousand children have been orphaned by the fighting in Ukraine since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion. The authorities are trying to place these children in family-based care.

Ukraine cut spending on lobbying in the United States by 93% to $367 thousand in 2023, compared to almost $5 million in the first year of the war with Russia.

Ukrainian business is ready to produce more than 1 million drones, with more than $40 billion allocated for production this year.

Ukraine is negotiating the confiscation of $300 billion in Russian assets to finance the country's recovery.

The European Commission will propose to allow Ukraine to join the EU's defense industry support program to help modernize Ukraine's military industry and bring it closer to EU membership.

In March, Ukraine expects to receive €4. 5 billion from the EU and $900 million from the IMF.

Poland is working on a 5-step plan for Ukraine to resolve the border blockade caused by Polish farmers.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Ukraine needs at least $37 billion in foreign aid.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal outlined three main tasks for Ukraine this year: ensuring security and defense, ensuring economic stability and reforms on the path to the European Union and restoring Ukraine.

Ukraine expects the European Commission to present a framework for EU accession negotiations by March 12 based on Ukraine's progress in implementing reforms.

Polish farmers continue to block six checkpoints on the border with Ukraine, causing about 2,500 trucks to queue up as of this morning.

The European Commission may propose within two weeks to use the profits from frozen Russian assets for the joint purchase of military equipment for Ukraine, media reports say.

Poland is holding informal talks with the EU president to exempt Polish farmers from some provisions of the European Green Deal, due to fears that the neighborhood with Ukraine could harm the agricultural market.

The French Secretary of State for European Affairs said that it would be a mistake not to discuss further possibilities of European assistance to Ukraine, as Ukrainians are fighting for European security against Russia's imperialist ambitions.

Starting March 11, cars with Russian license plates will be confiscated in Lithuania. The exception will be their transit to and from the Kaliningrad region. Such cars can stay in the country for no more than 24 hours with the mandatory presence of the owner

The Belizean-flagged cargo ship Rubymar, carrying 21 tons of fertilizer, sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by Yemeni Houthis, which could cause an environmental disaster.

The EU will pay 50 million euros to UNRWA, but will withhold 32 million until the investigation of charges against 12 staff members accused by Israel of participating in the October attacks is completed.

The Ministers of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the Czech Republic sign a declaration of intent to strengthen cooperation between their agencies in countering hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and documenting Russian war crimes.

The European Union will step up inspections of carriers to ensure compliance with agreements on grain exports from Ukraine amid Polish protests over Ukrainian goods.

Switzerland has joined the 13th package of EU sanctions against russia, expanding its sanctions lists to 106 individuals and 88 organizations involved in the supply of weapons to North Korea and the occupation of Ukrainian territories.

Ukraine and the Netherlands sign a bilateral security agreement that provides for €2 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year and further defense assistance over the next ten years.

Vocational schools in 7 regions of Ukraine will introduce a new Civilian Drone Operator curriculum to teach students how to fly drones, which are increasingly used in agriculture, rescue operations, and war documentation.