Verkhovna Rada

The Verkhovna Rada is awaiting a report from the head of the Security Service of Ukraine on the illegal wiretapping of journalists and the activities of the department previously headed by Artem Shilo, who was detained for allegedly leading an organized group to steal money during martial law.

Vice Speaker of the Lithuanian Seimas Paulius Saudargas arrives in Kyiv to meet with Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk to discuss defense support for Ukraine.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, suggested that South Africa could become an important mediator in bringing all Ukrainians home.

Reducing the mobilization age from 27 to 25 will support Ukraine's ability to rebuild existing military units, but Western military assistance remains crucial to improving the combat capability of the Ukrainian army, according to a new report by the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Verkhovna Rada is developing a model that will allow companies to reserve up to 50% of their employees subject to military service by paying a fee of 1. 5% of salary plus UAH 20,000 per month for each employee, provided there are no tax arrears.

According to the European Business Association, there are about 540,000 people in Ukraine, mostly in the energy, agriculture, industry, and transportation sectors, who are subject to mobilization.

President Zelenskyy signs a law that improves social protection rights for military and police officers, including leave after injury, disability determination, maternity leave, death compensation, and prevention of gender discrimination.

President Zelenskyy signed a bill to create an electronic office for persons liable for military service, which will facilitate the rapid collection and processing of military data and the digitalization of services for servicemen, thereby strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs a bill to lower Ukraine's conscription age from 27 to 25.

The Cabinet of Ministers approves a draft law on the siting, design and construction of power units 3 and 4 of the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant.

Olena Shulyak, head of the Servant of the People party, called on the Parliament to immediately adopt a number of draft laws on local self-government, including laws on local democracy, self-organization bodies, transparency of local authorities, and public consultations, which are part of the Ukrainian Foundation's program.

According to MP Mykhailo Tsymbalyuk, the blocking of tax invoices has become a serious problem that threatens Ukraine's national security, as it halts the activities of enterprises and disrupts economic operations.

255 Ukrainian children were removed from their parents by local social services abroad as of December 31, 2023, with the worst situation in Germany (71 cases), Poland (33), Italy (25), Czech Republic (24) and Sweden (17).

A Russian court refuses to release Crimean political prisoner Amet Suleymanov, who needs urgent heart surgery and is being denied adequate medical care in violation of the Geneva Convention.

Former FSB assistant Danylo Hetmantsev is now not only a member of parliament from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Servant of the People party, but he also heads one of the most important committees of the Verkhovna Rada.

President Zelenskyy honored the memory of more than 1,400 Ukrainian civilians, including 37 children, killed by Russian occupiers during the 33-day occupation of Bucha in Kyiv region two years ago.

The head of the French National Assembly, Yaelle Bron-Pivet, visited Odesa to inspect the seaport, discuss security challenges, emphasize the restoration of port infrastructure, strengthen air defense, and condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Over 470,000 hectares have been planted in Ukraine, with acreage increasing in Kherson and Kharkiv regions due to demining, but farmers are abandoning corn in favor of more profitable crops such as soybeans and are facing problems exporting to Western Europe due to the blocked border with Poland.

This year's harvest in Ukraine is expected to reach 77 million tons, down about 30% from the pre-war harvest of over 100 million tons, due to farmers abandoning intensive cultivation techniques and lower yields per hectare.

More than 470,000 hectares have been sown in Ukraine so far, with the majority of grain planted in Odesa region as the spring sowing campaign begins amid challenges in the de-occupied and war-affected areas.

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence has completed consideration of all 4,269 amendments to the draft law on mobilization, and the Verkhovna Rada may begin consideration of the document in two weeks.

Telegram may be under the influence of Russian special services and should be regulated by Ukrainian law, says the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy.

The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence has considered 4051 out of 4266 amendments to the draft law on mobilization, making it 95% ready, with the remaining amendments scheduled to be completed tomorrow.

Stefanchuk discussed with the President of the French National Assembly Ukraine's defense needs, including air defense systems, long-range missiles and air support, as well as the freezing of Russian assets to compensate for Ukraine's losses.

The new law on mobilization and military training introduces basic military training at universities starting in 2025, conscript service lasting 5 months in peacetime and 3 months in wartime instead of regular service, mobilization from 25 to 60 years of age, and deferment of military service until the age of military service for citizens from 18 years of age.

The head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, believes that Telegram poses a threat to national security, as it can be used to influence people in the occupied territories and spread disinformation, and calls for the regulation of such platforms.

The draft law on mobilization is 82% ready, the Security Committee has considered 3,518 amendments and plans to consider the remaining amendments tomorrow.

Inadequate conditions of detention and failure to provide necessary medical care have led to Ukrainian political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziyev losing almost half of his weight, and at least 36 of the 216 illegally convicted Crimean political prisoners need immediate medical care.

MPs plan to consider over 700 more amendments to the draft law on mobilization, likely approving over 80% of the bill today.

MP Galyna Tretyakova withdraws draft law No. 11104, which proposed to criminalize unauthorized representation of Ukraine in international negotiations, after it was criticized.