Denys Shmyhal
According to forecasts, Ukraine's population could drop to 25 million by 2050. Currently, the country is home to about 36 million people, 5 million fewer than before the war.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the signing of an agreement with the USA on subsoil. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Ukraine will contribute 50% of revenues from future natural resources to a new joint recovery fund with the United States. The fund will be managed by both governments and reinvested in Ukraine's development and security.
A representative of the Ukrainian government will sign a preliminary agreement on minerals after the presidents agree on security guarantees. Work will then begin on the creation of a joint Ukrainian-American investment fund.
Ukraine and the US have completed work on an agreement to create a joint investment fund for reconstruction. The signing of the document will only take place after receiving security guarantees from the US.
The MPs did not support the proposal to summon Shmyhal and Svyrydenko to discuss the details of the resource deal. The coalition argued that “it is very difficult for government officials now”.
The Cabinet of Ministers has extended the deadline for re-booking employees liable for military service until March 31 due to cyberattacks on state registers. Businesses will have additional time to confirm their criticality status and re-book their staff.
The Cabinet of Ministers has regulated the issue of pharmacy discounts for patients with chronic diseases. The maximum trade margin of 25% for prescription drugs costing up to UAH 1000 has been established.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an 11. 5% pension indexation for more than 10 million citizens starting March 1. The minimum increase will be UAH 100, and the maximum increase will be UAH 1,500.
European Commissioner Martha Kos expects three clusters of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU to open in the first half of 2024. The European Commission also offers Ukraine to join the EU's internal energy market by April 27.
According to recent estimates, rebuilding Ukraine will cost about 500 billion euros. Ukraine offers Europe strategic cooperation in energy, critical materials and technology.
Ukraine's Prime Minister urged the EU to speed up negotiations on all six integration clusters. Hungary has blocked negotiations on the first cluster, demanding additional conditions for the protection of minorities.
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 government plans to extend the deadline for re-booking of employees liable for military service until March 31, 2024. The decision is due to the inaccessibility of state registers for more than 20 days due to cyberattacks.
Prime Minister Shmyhal confirmed the attraction of $38. 4 billion in financing from European partners in 2025. Ukraine cooperates with the IMF, the European Commission, the World Bank, and other financial institutions.
Prime Minister Shmyhal reported a sixfold increase in the capabilities of the Ukrainian defense industry since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine has significantly increased the production of ammunition, equipment, and drones.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine had a phone conversation with the Vice-President of the European Commission on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The parties discussed military support for Ukraine and ensuring peace in Europe.
Russians are deliberately attacking Ukraine's gas production and energy facilities in an attempt to cause a humanitarian catastrophe. Following the latest attacks in the south of the country, power engineers have been restoring heat supply in Mykolaiv and Odesa around the clock.
In January, drone production in Ukraine increased 10-fold year-on-year. The government allocates an additional UAH 7.9 billion for the purchase of drones through the State Special Communications Service.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine held a constructive meeting with Keith Kellogg, the US President's representative. They discussed issues of a just peace, security guarantees and joint development of defense production.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine had a productive conversation with the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. They discussed military logistics, European integration and support for the 16th package of EU sanctions.
The State Emergency Service reports normal radiation background at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the Russian strike on February 14. Rescuers continue to extinguish smoldering areas and repair the damaged shelter.
The IMF mission will start the seventh review of the EFF program this week. Ukraine plans to raise $2.7 billion in 2025, bringing total support since the start of the war to $12.4 billion.
The Ministry of Energy has been instructed to coordinate the defense of the gas transportation system with the military. The government is working on a gas supply strategy and increasing domestic gas production.
Work continues at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant to localize two smoldering centers after a Russian drone hit. Damage to the outer cladding of the arch and supporting structures was detected, but the radiation background has not changed.
The government approved the Priority Action Plan for 2025, which contains 392 tasks for ministries and agencies. The plan includes European integration commitments, cooperation with the IMF, and modernization of public services.
The Cabinet of Ministers will allocate UAH 460. 5 million in subventions for the construction of shelters in schools and military lyceums in 7 regions and 18 communities. It is planned to build more than 200 shelters by 2025.
Ukrainian banks provided over UAH 13 billion in loans for the installation of energy equipment. This will increase energy capacity by 530 MW.
The Cabinet of Ministers allocates UAH 1. 5 billion to maintain the safe condition of the Chornobyl NPP shelter after it was damaged by a Russian drone. An additional €400 million is planned to be raised from the EIB for energy-efficient reconstruction.
The College of European Commissioners will arrive in Ukraine next week. Consultations with the government are planned on security, sanctions against Russia and economic cooperation.