Verkhovna Rada
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law exempting persons who have been held in places of detention from administrative fees for issuing passports. The documents will be issued within three business days if applied for within one year of release.
The Verkhovna Rada passed in the first reading draft law No. 9421 on the involvement of veterans in basic military training. The training will be conducted in schools with the participation of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Veterans.
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law on providing rehabilitation services to the military in special educational institutions. Draft law No. 10160 allows special schools to help military personnel and veterans with visual and hearing impairments.
The Ombudsman explained the main types of bullying and mechanisms of protection against it in Ukraine. Contacts of hotlines are provided and liability for bullying, including fines of up to UAH 3,400, is described.
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law doubling the limit on charitable contributions for companies from 4% to 8% of their profits. The new rules will apply from 2025 until the end of martial law, subject to previous charitable contributions.
The Verkhovna Rada has voted in favor of a bill to compensate for car insurance costs for combatants starting in 2025. The document provides for a 50% discount on insurance policies and special conditions for certain categories of citizens.
The SBI is investigating former acting head of the State Tax Service, Tetyana Kiriyenko, for failing to comply with a court order. She faces up to 8 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the resolution on democracy in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression by 268 votes. The document confirms Zelenskyy's legitimacy and the impossibility of elections until peace is established.
The Verkhovna Rada has voted to terminate the powers of MP Iryna Kormyshkina. The next representatives of the Servant of the People party, Sverba, Melnyk or Paliychuk, may run for her seat.
Former Health Minister Oleg Musiy warns of the risks of state regulation of the pharmaceutical market. The new restrictions could lead to the withdrawal of foreign manufacturers from Ukraine and a shortage of important drugs.
On February 25, 1918, the Ukrainian Central Rada approved the Trident as the emblem of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The decision was made in Korosten, when Kyiv was under the occupation of Bolshevik Russia.
The MP calls on law enforcement officers to investigate a scheme to withdraw about $3 million from Russia's Alfa-Bank to circumvent sanctions.
A draft resolution on the early termination of the powers of MP Iryna Kormyshkina has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. Earlier, she was notified of suspicion of illicit enrichment and entering false information in her declaration.
The parliament held a meeting with government officials, international partners, and clergy to pray for Ukraine. Prime Minister Shmyhal noted the successes and unity of the Ukrainian people over the three years of full-scale war.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted an appeal to parliaments, governments and international organizations on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion. 244 MPs supported the document with calls for military, economic assistance and promotion of European integration.
Economist Andriy Novak warns of the risks of increased state regulation of the pharmaceutical market. The expert believes that restrictions on free competition may lead to an outflow of foreign companies from Ukraine.
On February 24, Ukrainians celebrate Maslenitsa, a traditional winter farewell holiday, and the National Day of Prayer. The world also celebrates Bartender's Day and Information Architecture Day.
The President said that the issue of elections is being actively raised by Russia and appears in discussions in the United States. Zelenskyy emphasized the impossibility of holding elections due to the security situation and the need to lift martial law.
Tomorrow, an important summit will take place in Kyiv with the participation of 13 offline and 24 online leaders, including the EU leadership. The event will be attended by 24 European Commissioners and will feature a Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic platform.
For the first time in the history of the EU, Ukraine has included the parliament as a negotiator in the accession process. The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on the preparation of clusters and is part of the negotiating groups on European integration.
Rodion Miroshnyk said that the United States plans to “seize” Ukraine's profits to pay off its debts. He also expressed dissatisfaction with possible compensation to Kyiv for losses from the Russian invasion.
The Commission on Foreign Experts did not provide a report on the NABU audit, which was supposed to be ready by January. Lawyers demand a full audit of the Bureau's 9 years of work, not just the last few months.
The new regulation of the pharmaceutical market may lead to the termination of social programs to support patients and increase in drug prices. The business community calls for regulating marketing agreements in line with European practices.
Starting March 1, 2025, the government will set new restrictions on markups for all medicines. Experts warn of a possible shortage of drugs and the growth of the shadow market.
Economist Borys Kushniruk has warned of the risks of the new law on pharmaceutical market regulation. A ban on discounts and restrictions on margins could lead to higher drug prices and a reduction in the range of products.
The OP adviser said that it is necessary to resume the US military aid programs. According to him, only the programs approved during Biden's term are currently in place, and there are no new ones yet.
The Tabletochki Foundation warns of the risks of administrative restrictions on drug prices. Restrictions may lead to the withdrawal of drugs from the market and the switch to less effective analogues.
Venislavsky, a member of the Verkhovna Rada's National Security Committee, denies that the supply of American weapons to Ukraine has been halted. At the same time, other MPs claim that arms sales have been suspended.
The Verkhovna Rada has registered a bill to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. The document provides for new labeling requirements and restrictions on the sale of beverages with a high content of stimulants.
The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said that elections in Ukraine will be held only after the end of martial law. According to him, holding elections during the war is against the law.