Belgium
BAE Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa have entered into a strategic partnership to establish a new 155mm artillery ammunition production plant in Poland. This aims to address the shortage of shells in Ukraine and among Poland's NATO partners.
The Trump administration ordered the destruction of a $9. 7 million shipment of USAID contraceptives intended for low-income countries. The supplies are stuck in a warehouse in Belgium, and offers from international organizations to distribute or sell them have been rejected.
Belgium may agree to riskier strategies to increase profits from frozen Russian assets if legal risks are distributed among all EU member states. About 190 billion euros of Russian sovereign assets are held in the Belgian Euroclear depository.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that partners will continue to help Ukraine, making it more extensive and systematic. The EU is allocating 6.6 billion euros for weapons. Germany plans to provide Ukraine with Patriot.
On August 8, Ukraine and the European Commission began screening Ukrainian legislation under the last negotiating chapter in the agriculture cluster. Meetings will continue until September 10 in a hybrid format.
France and Germany propose that the EU target Lukoil and other players who help Russia sell oil. This is part of the 19th sanctions package, which aims to reduce the Kremlin's oil revenues.
Belgium will not transfer blocked Russian funds, as this threatens its reputation as a financial center. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confirmed that asset confiscation is not an option for the country.
President Zelenskyy thanked partners for participating in the PURL program, which has accumulated $2 billion. The program allows Ukraine to purchase weapons from the United States, with coordination carried out by NATO.
Belgium will provide Ukraine with 100 million euros in military aid this year through the PURL mechanism. This amount is in addition to the 1 billion euros in military support already provided.
The European Commission is developing a mechanism to transfer nearly 200 billion euros of immobilized Russian assets for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. This option involves moving the assets into riskier investments to generate higher returns, as well as creating a special purpose fund.
Hungary challenged in the EU court the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. Budapest believes that the decision was made bypassing the veto right of EU member states.
The Belgian Prime Minister stated the legal difficulties of confiscating frozen Russian assets. A significant portion of them, 183 billion euros, is located in Brussels at Euroclear.
Belgium will provide Ukraine with several F-16 fighter jets in September. This information was confirmed by Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot during a press conference in Odesa.
Belgium is ready to join international forces with an appropriate mandate after a ceasefire. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated this in Odesa.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated Ukraine's firm intention to end Russian aggression in 2025. He discussed peace efforts with colleagues from Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands in Odesa.
Representatives of Ukraine and Benelux countries in Odesa condemned Russia's aggression and reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty. They emphasized the need to end the war and restore peace.
European postal services are suspending parcel shipments to the USA due to new tariffs on imported goods worth less than $800. This decision is related to the repeal of the de minimis tax exemption by US President Donald Trump.
An article by Ihor Harbaruk, Vice President of the "Ukrainian International Institute of Recovery", expert of the NGO "Economic Discussion Club".
Today, August 18, marks International Pinot Noir Day and "Never Give Up" Day. Also celebrated are Birth Control Pill Day, Bad Poetry Day, and the Day of Remembrance of Martyrs Florus and Laurus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels for a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. After that, he will take part in an online meeting of the leaders of the "Coalition of the Willing."
Ukraine has 5 key demands for a war settlement, including a long-term truce before territorial exchange, reparations, and security guarantees. The return of prisoners and children is also a priority.
Volvo Cars has moved production of EX30 models for the US from China to Belgium. This will help avoid high anti-China tariffs and reduce delivery waiting times.
Ukrainians who were forced to leave for European countries receive different amounts of state aid. Payments vary from daily allowances in Sweden to over a thousand euros in Belgium, while Germany provides "citizen's allowance."
An international coalition, led by Canada and Ukraine, called on Russia to unconditionally return abducted Ukrainian children. 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the EU signed a joint statement, emphasizing the violation of international law.
An international investigation has revealed that the smuggling of Anguilla anguilla eels is a multi-billion dollar business. Since 2021, almost 4 tons of glass eels have been exported from the EU, and gang members have been arrested.
The apple harvesting season in Ukraine lasts from September to November, with early varieties being picked in August. This year's harvest of quality apples is expected to be low due to weather conditions and the lack of protective technologies.
The number of representatives of Georgia's ruling party "Georgian Dream" and related individuals who have fallen under Western sanctions has exceeded 230. Restrictions were imposed by the USA, Great Britain, the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Ukraine's leading allies in Europe plan to approach the EU for tens of billions of euros in loans for joint procurement of weapons for Ukraine and to strengthen their own defense. The SAFE program envisages loans for weapons, financed by EU debt with a 45-year repayment period.
Nine countries have officially expressed interest in borrowing funds from the EU military procurement program SAFE by the deadline. Poland plans to request 25 billion euros, and Greece – at least 1.2 billion euros.
Qatar, the third largest LNG exporter, threatens to cut gas supplies to the EU in response to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The country demands changes to the law concerning forced labor and environmental standards, and also objects to the requirement for climate transition plans.