Europe needs to reduce its dependence on American payment groups such as Visa and Mastercard, said Martina Weimert, head of the banking alliance EPI. This is due to concerns that their dominance could be weaponized in the event of a deterioration in transatlantic relations.
On January 30, the draw for the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 season playoffs took place in Switzerland. The matches will be held on February 19 and 26, and the winners will advance to the round of 16.
The draw for the 2025/26 Champions League playoff round has taken place, with 16 teams competing for a spot in the round of 16. Among the participants are Ukrainian footballers and their clubs, who have learned their opponents.
The IAEA Board of Governors held an emergency meeting regarding nuclear risks from Russia's systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. IAEA head Rafael Grossi confirmed that these attacks fall under the organization's mandate and pose direct nuclear risks.
European leaders and industry representatives met in Hamburg to discuss cooperation in energy and security in the North Sea. The UK and Europe signed the Hamburg Declaration to implement large-scale offshore wind energy projects.
The EU's foreign policy service has expressed concern about US President Donald Trump's "broad powers" in the Peace Council. The Peace Council's statute "raises concerns about the EU's constitutional principles."
Belgium has not joined the Peace Council initiated by Donald Trump. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot stated that his country had not signed the Peace Council Charter.
Ukrainian forward Danylo Sikan officially became a player of Belgian "Anderlecht", signing a contract until the summer of 2030. "Anderlecht" paid "Trabzonspor" about 4 million euros for the transfer of the 24-year-old forward.
The 2026 European Futsal Championship starts on January 21 and will be held in Lithuania, Latvia, and Slovenia. The Ukrainian national team has announced its final squad for the tournament.
European countries, including Norway, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, are actively preparing for a potential war with Russia by increasing defense budgets and strengthening infrastructure. Some states, like Norway, are considering the possibility of confiscating civilian property for defense needs.
The government has a real mechanism to seize $300 billion of Russian assets, but ignores it, - Kulyk.
Estonian Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi stated that financial support for Ukraine should take precedence over EU budgetary discipline. He emphasized the need to mobilize resources to counter the threat to liberal democracy.
Germany and the Netherlands want Ukraine to be able to buy American weapons with the €90 billion EU loan. France insists on preferential treatment for EU military companies.
In its 8th week of screening, the film "You Are Space" grossed UAH 58. 95 million, with a total audience of 318,514 people. The film is confidently approaching the list of the highest-grossing Ukrainian films.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated that his country will provide Ukraine with "aviation and a fleet" to maintain peace after the war ends. This decision was announced after a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris.
Investigators suspect that sparklers on champagne bottles caused a fire in a bar at a Swiss ski resort. 40 people died, 119 were injured.
Since PURL was launched in August, 24 countries have joined it, and the total amount of contributions is $4. 3 billion. This allows for the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriots, and strengthening Ukraine's defense.
The European Union plans to impose a 20th package of sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Measures will include travel restrictions, asset freezes, and sanctions in the energy and banking sectors.
Mykola Leontovych's score of "Shchedryk" has been exhibited at New York's Carnegie Hall. This became possible after the facsimile was transferred to the Carnegie Hall archive.
The science fiction drama You Are Space by director Pavlo Ostrikov confidently holds high positions in Ukrainian cinema distribution and continues to attract the attention of viewers.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
On December 19, the European Union approved €90 billion in funding for Ukraine, which the country will repay after receiving reparations from Russia. Journalists found out how this process took place.
As of early December 2025, official delegations led by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy have made over 50 foreign visits. The accounting of expenses for their organization is not kept separately, and information about the preparation of visits is restricted.
The 53-year-old actor and director Akhtem Seitablayev published photos with his daughter and granddaughter from Belgium, captioning them as "moments of happiness. " In January 2022, the actor showed photos from his daughter's wedding.
EU taxpayers will pay €3 billion annually in interest on a loan to finance Ukraine's defense. The new plan will provide Ukraine with €45 billion next year, with the remaining funds to be paid in 2027.
The song "Shchedryk" was written at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1936, its English version was released, which is known to the world as "Carol of the Bells".
Russia has decided to terminate military agreements with 11 European countries, concluded in 1992-2002. These agreements regulated bilateral military cooperation after the collapse of the USSR.
EU leaders have decided to lend 90 billion euros to finance Ukraine's defense, avoiding the use of frozen Russian assets. Investors, experts, and analysts are divided on this issue.
European Union leaders have not reached an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Discussions on providing a loan will continue on December 19 at the summit in Brussels.
The European Commission and Belgium are negotiating the use of 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. Belgium seeks additional financial guarantees due to concerns about legal and financial risks.
