Iran is experiencing its deepest socio-economic crisis in recent years, with projected GDP growth of only 0. 3% in 2025 and inflation exceeding 40%. This is due to a sharp reduction in oil exports caused by international sanctions and structural problems in the economy.
Chinese state-owned oil companies have suspended seaborne purchases of Russian oil following US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil. This comes as India also reduces its imports of Russian oil due to the same sanctions.
The FAVBET group of companies paid UAH 6. 4 billion in taxes and fees for the first nine months of 2025, which is 25% more than for the same period in 2024. The company remains the largest taxpayer in the industry, despite market challenges and the growth of the illegal segment.
The National Bank of Ukraine revised its economic growth forecast for 2025, lowering it to 1. 9% from 2.1%. This is due to the energy deficit caused by Russian shelling and damage to the gas production system.
The National Bank of Ukraine has improved its forecast for international reserves for 2026 to $52. 2 billion and for 2027 to $59.2 billion. This is due to assumptions about sufficient international financing, including a reparations loan from Russian assets.
Lviv Polytechnic became the leader among Ukrainian universities in the number of state-funded bachelors admitted. Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Sikorsky and Taras Shevchenko National University took second and third places, respectively.
The National Bank of Ukraine kept the key policy rate at 15. 5%. This decision was made due to high inflation expectations and pro-inflationary risks associated with the growing energy deficit.
In 2025, more than 200,000 first-year students were admitted to Ukrainian universities, which is 2. 6% more than last year. However, the number of applicants aged over 25 decreased by 15%.
The European Council is preparing a decision on financing Ukraine's needs in 2026-2027, including the procurement of military equipment. European Council President António Costa stated that support would continue "as long as it takes," and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need to increase pressure on Putin.
Ukraine received 46. 1 million euros in loan funds from the European Investment Bank for four projects to support urban development. The funds were transferred to the special fund of the state budget and are intended for the reconstruction of water supply, sewerage, energy efficiency, and the purchase of public transport.
A new UN-backed forum has been launched to tackle debt problems in developing countries. Global public debt reached $102 trillion in 2024.
Of the EU's 185 billion euro reparations credit, 40 billion will cover Ukraine's budget needs, 100 billion will go to military needs, and 45 billion euros will cover the ERA program. The European Commission is working on the implementation mechanism, and the instrument is expected to become available in the first quarter of 2026.
The Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation urges citizens to buy federal loan bonds and gold to "patch up" the budget deficit. This will allow the Kremlin to continue financing the war, shifting the burden onto the population.
Most Russian regions had exhausted their financial reserves by September, and six constituent entities of the federation had less than one percent of their annual budget in their accounts. The total deficit of regional budgets increased to 724.8 billion rubles, and revenues fell in 26 regions.
MP Andriy Odarchenko, convicted of bribery, is trying to retain control over the State Biotechnological University by promoting his people to leadership positions.
The draft Budget 2026 has been adopted in its first reading. 256 deputies voted in favor.
