The investigation into the case of Hryhoriy Didenko, head of the Odesa Regional Council, and Yulia Didenko, a people's deputy, has been completed. They failed to include information about property worth over UAH 8 million in their declarations for 2021–2023, including apartments and two Audi SQ8s.
NielsenIQ's Russian subsidiary is actively recruiting staff for high-risk markets, including occupied Ukrainian territories and Iran, as revealed by job postings on HH. ru. The company's internal research previously labeled occupied Ukrainian lands as "new Russian regions."
Expert Alexander Gabuev predicts the exhaustion of the Kremlin's economic resources in 12-18 months if sanctions are strengthened. He notes that time is working against Putin, and further sanctions could shorten this period.
The retail price of gasoline in Russia is 67. 1 rubles per liter, which is higher than the price in the US ($2.98 per gallon). This is due to the high share of taxes and fees in Russian pricing.
In Zaporizhzhia, a group of four individuals, including the owner and director of a limited liability company, who systematically stole natural gas from the main pipeline system, has been exposed. The suspects connected to the system bypassing metering devices, selling the gas through a mobile refueling station.
The US Congress has provided $800 million in aid to Ukraine in the defense budget for two years, allocating $400 million each for 2026 and 2027. The total US defense budget for 2026 will be $901 billion.
From September 2026, student scholarships at educational institutions will double. The State Budget-2026 provides UAH 6.6 billion for scholarship payments.
High-tech stocks, crypto assets, and gold remain in demand among investors. New investment opportunities are also emerging – some of them are available to Ukrainians.
The Dutch government has pledged an additional 700 million euros to Ukraine from the remaining funds in the budgets of the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs. This amount is less than the parliament's request, but most parties supported the proposal.
The adopted draft law on the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026 has been submitted to President Volodymyr Zelensky for signature. Information on this is posted on the parliament's website.
EU countries will have to allocate billions of euros to guarantee loans to Ukraine totaling up to 210 billion euros, with Germany providing support of up to 52 billion euros. The European Commission presented these figures after proposing a "reparation loan" for Ukraine of 165 billion euros from frozen Russian assets.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The meeting takes place amid fears that the US may pressure Ukraine to accept a peace deal with Russia.
The Hungarian authorities do not support participation in financial assistance to Ukraine, thwarting the European "Plan B" to use frozen Russian assets. Budapest refused to join the issuance of joint Eurobonds, which increased tensions within the EU.
European Union leaders will discuss the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine at a summit on December 18. Belgium has a special position on this issue, and the US is trying to block EU plans to use these assets.
Hungary blocked the decision to issue Eurobonds to finance Ukraine, which was an alternative to the "reparation loan. " Belgium also opposes it due to fears of lawsuits from Russia.
The Cabinet of Ministers held a meeting on providing for the military, approving a draft law on contracts with clear terms and expanding service opportunities for foreigners. Military training in higher education is also being strengthened, and a Research Center for the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is being established.
Ukraine's new proposal to exchange GDP warrants for 'C' type bonds is significantly more attractive to creditors than previous options. This is a critical step for Ukraine to emerge from debt default.
Euroclear CEO Valerie Urbain believes that frozen Russian assets should be used for peace negotiations rather than to finance a reparations loan to Ukraine. This would avoid complex legal risks and preserve leverage.
The prosecutor's office succeeded in revoking outdated rules in Odesa that allowed the illegal transfer of sandy coastal areas for rent without tenders. The Odesa City Council canceled these Rules on November 19, 2025.
The German Bundestag has passed a new military service law that provides for a two-tier system with voluntary service and possible conscription. This is intended to increase the size of the Bundeswehr, as 18-year-old men will receive notices of readiness to serve.
The Cabinet of Ministers must submit a bill to the Verkhovna Rada regarding individual entrepreneurs and VAT as one of the IMF's beacons. It provides for mandatory registration of VAT payers from January 1, 2027, for simplified taxpayers with a turnover of more than UAH 1 million.
The US is trying to block EU plans to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support a loan to Ukraine. Washington believes that these assets are necessary to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
In 2026, the security and defense sector will receive UAH 2. 8 trillion, of which UAH 1.4 trillion will go to military personnel's monetary allowance. The government assures that payments to military personnel will be made in full without delays.
Since December 1, a program for issuing housing certificates for internally displaced persons, military personnel, and people with disabilities has been in effect. As of this morning, 16.5 thousand applications have been submitted, but the terms for receiving the first certificates remain unknown.
The IMF welcomes discussions in Europe on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The Fund emphasizes compliance with international law and non-disruption of the functioning of the global monetary system.
The International Monetary Fund has named conditions for a new four-year EFF program with Ukraine, which provides access to 8. 1 billion US dollars. Among the conditions are the adoption of the 2026 budget, expansion of the tax base, and a number of others.
Ukraine's reserves reached $54. 7 billion as of December 1, increasing by 10.6% in November. The growth was driven by receipts from partners, which offset the NBU's net sale of foreign currency and debt payments.
Ukraine has pushed back against hedge funds' demands regarding debt restructuring, stating that its proposal to exchange $3. 2 billion in GDP warrants is the best possible solution. The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine is confident in its proposal, which is intended to restore the sustainability of public debt.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk demands to classify the first item on the agenda of Friday's Sejm meeting. According to media reports, it will concern cryptocurrencies and a detected "Russian trace."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled a trip to Oslo to persuade Belgium to support a €165 billion "reparation loan" to Ukraine. The loan is proposed to be secured by frozen Russian state assets located in Belgium.
