Slovakia
Border guards of the Chop detachment exposed a clergyman of the UOC who tried to illegally smuggle a conscript across the border for $10,000. He hid the man in his own car under his cassocks.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke about the "root causes of the war" in Ukraine and called for security guarantees for Russia. He also used talking points from Kremlin rhetoric when commenting on Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the coming days will show whether EU countries will support the peace process. He also expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the current European strategy to weaken Russia.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Brussels has ceased to be a key factor in world politics, and the negotiations in Alaska demonstrate a split in Europe. He also noted "experiments of external interference" in Central Europe.
A law enforcement officer in Zakarpattia organized a scheme to transport men of conscription age to Slovakia. He was detained while receiving a $5,000 reward.
The average annual salary of a Ukrainian ambassador in 2024 reached UAH 2. 95 million, including compensatory payments. Additional sources of income include property rental, gifts, and dividends from corporate rights.
In Zakarpattia, near the village of Pallo, 19 citizens of Ukraine who were attempting to illegally cross the border into Slovakia were detained. The violators were detected by cameras, and operational groups arrived at the scene.
The peak of the Perseid meteor shower falls on August 12-13, 2025, but the full Moon will complicate observations. Fewer meteors are expected, but bright "fireballs" are possible.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his country provides significant assistance to Ukraine, but relations cannot be one-sided. He pointed to Ukraine's cessation of gas supplies through its territory, which harmed Slovakia.
"Ukrzaliznytsia" for the first time organized the transportation of petroleum products from Germany to Ukraine in its own specialized tank cars. The entire route from Hamburg to the Ukrainian border was provided by the subsidiary UZ Cargo Poland Sp. z o.o.
Kazakh company KazMunayGas delivered 85,000 tons of oil to Hungary for the first time by sea via the Croatian port of Omišalj. The oil is intended for the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, which expands Kazakhstan's exports and diversifies Hungary's imports.
The full-scale war has placed Ukrainian businesses under extraordinary pressure. For the aviation sector, this has meant more than the loss of access to infrastructure — it has brought a complete shutdown of the domestic market, forced relocation, adaptation to new realities, and the challenge of maintaining world-class standards on the international stage.
The National Bank of Ukraine reports that food prices in Ukraine have converged with European ones, and some, like butter, have even exceeded them. This is due to internal and external factors, including high production costs and differences in VAT rates.
Ukrainian police, together with foreign colleagues, identified a resident of Dnipro who sent false reports about the mining of educational institutions and leisure centers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Latvia. He has been charged with knowingly false reporting of a threat to public safety.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine plans to open over 10 new consular offices by the end of the year, including in Romania, Iraq, Italy, Germany, Slovakia, France, and Poland. Consulates in Antalya and Gdansk will receive general consulate status.
Ukraine welcomes the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia, but considers it insufficient. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasized the need to strengthen sanction policy, particularly from the US, to limit Russia's ability to continue the war.
The European Union has approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, covering the banking, energy, and military-industrial sectors. The package includes a new dynamic oil price cap, and Slovakia supported it after receiving guarantees regarding gas prices.
EU ambassadors approved the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. Slovakia, which previously blocked the sanctions, supported them after reaching agreements with the European Commission on gas prices.
Slovakia will allow the approval of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia on July 18. Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed with Ursula von der Leyen on guarantees regarding gas prices and its possible shortage.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the country will not support the EU's REPowerEU initiative to abandon Russian gas from 2028. Slovakia links this issue to the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, demanding a postponement of the vote.
EU foreign ministers failed to reach an agreement on the 18th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation on July 16. Discussion of the issue may resume on Friday, despite Poland's optimism and Slovakia's resistance.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed optimism about the swift adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia. This will happen despite public opposition from Slovakia, which blocked it the day before.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha confirmed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks in any format and geographical zone. He refuted Russia's statements about delaying negotiations, calling them manipulation.
A man was detained in Dnipro who last year threatened terrorist attacks in schools in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. His activities were financed by Russians, and the detention took place with the participation of Ukrainian, Czech, and Slovak special services.
US President Donald Trump announced an agreement with NATO on arming Ukraine. Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Baltic states, the Netherlands, Canada, and Great Britain supported the initiative, while the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia refused.
The 2025-2026 hunting season has begun in Zakarpattia with the aim of preventing an increase in the number of predatory animals and the spread of infectious diseases. Hunters must obtain a permit and hunting licenses, and hunting is allowed only within established limits.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his intention to postpone the vote on the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Slovakia seeks an exemption that would allow it to fulfill its contract with Gazprom until 2034, rejecting the EC's proposal to stop Russian gas supplies from 2028.
The European Commission is working with Slovakia to address its concerns about the EU's plan to phase out Russian gas imports by 2028. Bratislava is blocking a sanctions package, fearing shortages and rising prices.
The end of the duty-free trade agreement with the EU will cost Ukraine about 1 billion euros in losses. Denys Marchuk noted that the statements of some EU countries about the harm of Ukrainian agricultural products are often based on myths.
Malta and Slovakia did not support the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia. A decision is expected after the meeting of EU ambassadors.