Bulgaria

Since 2025, a new system of functional status assessment has been in place in Ukraine, replacing the MSEC. Ukrainians abroad can be assessed remotely under a special procedure.

Cyprus plans to finalize all technical issues to join the Schengen area by the end of 2025. The country's president announced the expected benefits for tourism and investment, but experts warn of possible complications due to the island's divided status.

Ukraine has set an example for European countries in refusing to use Russian nuclear fuel for Soviet-designed reactors. Three EU countries already use Westinghouse fuel, and two more are preparing to switch.

KazMunayGas proposes to buy Bulgaria's only oil refinery from Russia's Lukoil. The deal could strengthen the position of Kazakh oil in Europe and double the company's refining capacity in the region.

The Ministers of Education of Ukraine and Bulgaria signed a cooperation agreement for the next 4 years. The document provides for academic mobility, teacher exchanges and support for national minorities.

The documentary Bartka by Volodymyr Bakuma won the audience vote at the OKO Film Festival. The film tells the story of a forester from the Carpathians and raises environmental issues.

In Switzerland, starting from January 1, 2025, it will be illegal to cover your face in public places. Violations are subject to a fine.

The head of a private company suspected of embezzling UAH 94. 8 million in the purchase of transformers for Ukrzaliznytsia was extradited from Bulgaria. The HACC imposed on her a measure of restraint in the form of detention with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 9.9 million.

On January 1, 2025, Romania and Bulgaria officially became part of the Schengen area. Passport checks at land borders have been canceled, making it easier to travel between EU countries.

And how much will you have to pay.

Bulgaria offers Moldova access to LNG and assistance through Bulgargaz in the event that Russian gas supplies are cut off on January 1. The countries have already signed a document on crisis response.

The separatist authorities of Transnistria have cut off gas supplies to 12 state institutions due to the upcoming cessation of transit from Russia. “Gazprom plans to stop gas exports to Moldova on January 1 due to debts.

The Cabinet of Ministers has determined the list of goods subject to export licensing in 2025. Quotas for sugar and poultry exports and restrictions on grain exports to five EU countries were established.

After joining the Schengen area in 2025, Romania will close 30 land border crossings on its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria. The country will strengthen security measures due to the risks of illegal migration.

The leader of the largest party in Bulgaria, GERB, Boyko Borisov, refused to support the signing of a security agreement with Ukraine. The interim government appealed for a mandate from parliament, but Borisov stated that the situation had changed and the agreement was no longer appropriate.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the “protection of citizens” in Transnistria due to the possible termination of gas supplies through Ukraine. Moldova accuses Moscow of gas blackmail and is looking for alternative supply routes.

Russia's maritime oil exports fell to 3. 06 million barrels per day due to terminal repairs and sanctions pressure. Two-thirds of Russia's “shadow fleet” tankers are idle at ports due to tighter Western sanctions.

Peter Szijjarto vetoed the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill in the EU sanctions list. The Hungarian minister also blocked the disbursement of 6.5 billion euros from the European Peace Fund.

Hungary and Bulgaria have agreed on a new solution to pay for Russian gas through Gazprombank, despite US sanctions. Peter Szijjarto said that a legal solution had been found that is not subject to restrictions.

The EU Council has decided to abolish controls at the land borders with Bulgaria and Romania as of January 1, 2025. The countries have already been part of the Schengen area by air and sea since March 2024.

There are 27226 foreign students enrolled in Ukrainian universities, most of them from China - 10735 people. The most popular specialty among foreigners is medicine, and most students study at KNUTD.

Bulgarian lawmakers plan to set up a commission to investigate Russian influence in the country. A network of 51 companies in Plovdiv has been identified that generate hundreds of millions of impressions of pro-Russian content in social networks every day.

Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Ihor Zhovkva announced the signing of a new security agreement. Ukraine already has 27 such documents that provide military assistance and funding for 2024 and beyond.

Austria lifted its veto on the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. The decision was made after a significant reduction in illegal border crossings from 70,000 to 4,000 cases.

The EU is in talks with the United States to ease sanctions against Gazprombank over the risks of gas supplies to Europe. Putin canceled the requirement to pay through this bank, but the issue of payments remains complex.

Georgian Ambassador to the Czech Republic Tem Maisuradze announced her resignation due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process. Earlier, the ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States announced their resignations.

SOCAR has started supplying gas to the Slovak state energy supplier SPP since December 1, 2024. This is a pilot short-term contract with the prospect of a long-term partnership.

Georgia's ambassadors to several EU and US countries are resigning due to the government's decision to suspend the EU accession process until 2028. Among those who resigned are ambassadors to Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States.

Three Bulgarians are accused of spying for Russia over surveillance of a US base where the Ukrainian military trained. The group also planned to spy on investigative journalists and organize provocations.

The Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria presented a certificate of honor and a medal to Delian Peevski, who is under US and British sanctions. The award caused outrage in Bulgarian society.