European countries are preparing for a potential war with Russia, fearing that Donald Trump will push Ukraine into an unfavorable peace deal. France is reinstating military service, Germany is conducting exercises, and Britain is focusing on defense against Russia.
Leaders of eight EU countries bordering Russia will demand targeted defense funding in the next long-term budget of the bloc at a summit in Helsinki. This is due to growing concerns about Russia's aggressive actions, which are testing their borders.
Martial law does not automatically exempt the state from paying penalties for overdue VAT refunds. The controlling body must prove force majeure circumstances that made the refund impossible.
The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia and confirms the freezing of Russian assets. The EU is ready to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years, which amounts to about 90 billion euros.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that frozen Russian assets totaling up to $210 billion are a financial security guarantee for Ukraine. He presented two scenarios for their use: for post-war reconstruction or for annual financial assistance of 40-45 billion euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in case of continued aggression.
The Ukrainian government has approved a decision that will allow 18,000 Ukrainian families to obtain housing under the "eOselia" program. The Ministry of Finance will issue UAH 30 billion in government bonds to provide resources.
China's National Health Commission announced that starting in 2026, it will cover all childbirth-related expenses, including prenatal check-ups. This decision is part of Beijing's efforts to stimulate the birth rate and address the demographic crisis.
The EU approves its first-ever Affordable Housing Plan to combat rising prices. It will focus on freeing up public funds and regulating tourist apartments.
SBU long-range drones hit the oil platforms of Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft in the Caspian Sea for the third time this week. Equipment at the Korchagin field was damaged, halting production processes.
Law enforcement officers exposed a scheme to legalize over UAH 578 million obtained from defense contracts. Enterprise officials acted in collusion with a "conversion center," withdrawing budget funds through forged documents.
EU diplomacy chief Kallas said that EU leaders will discuss financing Ukraine at Thursday's meeting, where a reparation loan is the most likely option. This loan will be based on frozen Russian assets, avoiding the use of taxpayer money.
The European Union is facing a critical week as it tries to protect Ukraine from an unfavorable peace deal imposed by the US and Russia, and to save a multi-billion euro loan financing agreement for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and American officials in Berlin to discuss a peace deal, and will also fight for support for the lending plan among European governments.
Ukraine has for the first time purchased the innovative drug pembrolizumab for the free treatment of melanoma. Deliveries are expected from June 2026 under a managed access mechanism.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will seek another path to end the war with Russia if peace talks do not yield results. He emphasized the need for a realistic approach to the peace process, noting that financial support from EU partners continues to arrive.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU's initiative to use frozen Russian assets, calling it dangerous and equating it to a declaration of war, and also accused European leaders of a misguided financial approach to supporting Ukraine.
The head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, reported that Russia intends to increase the serial production of the Oreshnik ballistic missile and modernize its warhead. More than 50 enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex are involved in the production of the missile, and funding is provided by the Russian National Welfare Fund.
The average expenditure on education per child in Sub-Saharan Africa is 200 euros, while in Europe and North America, these figures are significantly higher. This 40-fold gap exceeds the gap in GDP per capita, deepening the global wealth hierarchy. The report indicates that the richest 10% own 75% of global wealth.
The new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, stated that the country would not guarantee financing for Ukraine. He noted that the Czech Republic needs funds for its citizens and is lobbying for the restoration of access to preferential loans under the SAFE program.
Petr Fiala, the outgoing head of the Czech government, announced that the goal of supplying 1. 8 million large-caliber shells to Ukraine has been met. The new Czech government may discontinue this initiative, despite the president's support.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is starting payments in case of death or injury of journalists while performing their professional duties. The first payment will be received by the father of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity. The program is provided for in the state budget for 2026.
Switzerland has decided to purchase fewer F-35 fighter jets from the US than planned to keep costs within the approved limit. The country faced additional costs of up to 1.3 billion Swiss francs due to rising energy and raw material prices.
Several railway sections on the approaches to Pivdennyi port have been de-energized due to Russian strikes. The enemy is trying to limit exports through Ukrainian seaports by attacking railway infrastructure.
The Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 1. 8 billion from the reserve fund for the maintenance of important roads in frontline regions. Additionally, UAH 665.4 million was directed to purchase fuel for 9 frontline regions, which will ensure the operation of backup power sources.
The EU Council has agreed to apply a fixed duty of 3 euros on parcels worth up to 150 euros imported into the EU, starting from July 1, 2026. This measure aims to eliminate unfair competition and risks for consumers.
According to preliminary information, SBU drones damaged critical equipment on both ice-resistant platforms, leading to the suspension of production processes.
The European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe. This removed a significant obstacle to using these funds to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
The European Commission is ready to include the guarantees that Belgium is demanding for the use of immobilized assets of the Russian central bank. This will allow Ukraine to be provided with a "reparation loan" to compensate for war damages.
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov admitted that budget subsidies cannot last indefinitely. This indicates a rejection of the "war economy" concept and a weakening of Russia's economic dynamics.
Lawyer Ihor Yasko spoke about two ways to re-register a car in Ukraine: offline at a Ministry of Internal Affairs service center and online through "Diia". He detailed the cost, necessary documents, taxes and fees, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
In 2026, utility tariffs in Russia will increase by almost 18% on average, and in some regions by more than 40%. This is due to the fact that the Kremlin can no longer cope with financing the war.
