Slovakia
European crypto exchange WhiteBIT is launching a Global Talent Program for Ukrainian developers. The program will last four months and transform Junior+ developers into blockchain professionals.
Top Slovak officials, including the president, the speaker of the National Council, and the prime minister, have advocated for an end to military aid to Ukraine. The country will also not send soldiers or participate in guarantees for a large loan from the European Commission.
Slovakia and the US will sign an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in nuclear energy. It envisages the construction of a new 1200 MW power unit at the Jaslovské Bohunice NPP.
Ukraine has become a member of the UNESCO Steering Committee on Quality Education for the first time, a global body coordinating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4. This gives Ukraine the opportunity to influence the formation of global educational priorities.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the country's possible participation in monitoring a peace agreement or truce in Ukraine. Slovakia is ready to cooperate in non-military areas, but will not send soldiers or provide weapons.
Pedestrian and cyclist crossing has been introduced at the international checkpoint "Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké" on the Ukrainian-Slovak border. As of January 5, almost a thousand citizens have already used the pedestrian lane.
After the New Year holidays, the longest queues at the border are observed in the Polish direction, which complicates crossing for drivers and passengers. The State Border Guard Service advises taking into account the possible unstable operation of electronic systems of control services at checkpoints.
In early January 2026, the capacity for electricity imports from the EU to Ukraine-Moldova increased to 2450 MW. This was the result of cooperation between transmission system operators and increases the resilience of Ukraine's energy system.
According to Kaliňák, Ukraine will never be in NATO. In his opinion, Ukraine will also have problems joining the European Union.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba summarized the results of 2025 in the transport industry, noting an increase in seats on international trains and the launch of the Eurotrack. The "transport visa-free regime" with the EU was extended, and digital systems such as eCherha and e-TTN were introduced.
Russian pipeline gas exports to Europe in 2025 decreased by 44% to 18 billion cubic meters, which is the lowest figure since the mid-1970s. This happened after the closure of the Ukrainian route and the cessation of fossil fuel imports from Russia.
As a result of Russia's night attack, elevators, warehouses, a barge, and vessels flying the flags of Slovakia, Palau, and Liberia were damaged in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. There is also damage to the Lviv railway at Kovel station, including a locomotive and a freight car.
Ukraine has successfully held its first joint auctions for allocating cross-border interconnection capacity with Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. Electricity imports from the EU will become more predictable, and supplies will begin in January.
Two Ukrainian citizens were detained at the Ukrainian-Slovak border while attempting to import 2 kg of methamphetamine. During searches, another 1.7 kg of the substance was seized from them, with a total value of approximately 9.5 million hryvnias.
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.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has been released on bail after being arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in London. She was detained for holding a sign in support of Palestine Action, which the British government considers a terrorist organization.
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.
The Supreme Court of Slovakia has temporarily suspended controversial legislation that abolishes the national whistleblower protection office. This decision is an important step in ensuring the rule of law in Slovakia, as the new law was deemed too controversial.
A Politico columnist predicts that the Russian-Ukrainian war will end next year on terms extremely unfavorable to Ukraine. This is due to the EU's inability to agree on the use of frozen Russian assets and insufficient funding.
On the eve of the holidays, there is a significant increase in passenger and transport traffic at the border with Ukraine. In one day, 15,000 more people entered Ukraine than left.
An inter-provincial bus traveling from Jakarta to Yogyakarta was involved in a fatal accident on the Krapyak toll road in Semarang city. As a result of the accident, 16 people died and 18 were injured.
The US presidential administration has begun recalling career diplomats, terminating the mandates of mission chiefs in 29 countries by January 2026. This decision aims to replace personnel appointed during the Biden era with individuals who support Trump's ideology.
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.
Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna confirmed the continuation of the ammunition initiative for Ukraine until 2026. Funding has been secured for the purchase of 760,000 shells, and support for Ukraine is "a matter of course."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he managed to prevent "a declaration of war on Russia" by allocating a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine. In response, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski ironically "awarded" Orban the Order of Lenin.
EU leaders agreed on a plan to finance Ukraine through joint borrowing after 16 hours of negotiations. Politico named Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever as the main "winners" of the summit.
The European Council decided to allocate 90 billion euros in funding to Ukraine for 2026-2027. The funds will be based on EU borrowings without the use of Russian assets and without the involvement of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
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.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Hungary, the US, Slovakia, and possibly a few other allies oppose Ukraine's membership in the Alliance. He noted that at the 2024 Washington Summit, allies agreed on Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO, but in practice, some members are against it.
At Thursday's EU summit, leaders will try to persuade Belgium to agree to the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. This is the EU's last chance to greenlight a proposal to raise 210 billion euros from Russian assets.