Ukraine
Yulia Svyrydenko instructed Serhiy Marchenko to submit a decision to the government for consideration on the formation of a competition commission for the selection of the head of the State Customs Service. This is intended to ensure a transparent and professional selection.
Participants of the EIT in research methodology have received their results. The results card, necessary for admission to postgraduate studies, is available for download in their personal accounts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They discussed the consequences of Russia's brutal attack on Kyiv, increased drone production, financial needs, sanctions, and coordination with Donald Trump.
President Zelenskyy calls on Russia for a meeting at the leaders' level to end the war. Ukraine is ready for negotiations at any moment, if it is not an attempt to buy time.
The Diia City United business association proposes to finalize the Defence City special regime before the second reading. They draw attention to 5 aspects, among which are guarantees for a wide range of companies and data protection for defense companies.
Vladimir Putin stated that negotiations with Ukraine are in demand, but emphasized that Russia's demands from June 2024 remain valid. Moscow is ready to wait if Kyiv believes now is not the time for negotiations.
The business activity expectations index in July 2025 decreased to 48. 3. This was influenced by infrastructure shelling and rising costs, but stable energy and demand are curbing the decline.
Five months after the ban on marketing agreements between pharmacies and manufacturers, medicines have not become cheaper, except for the “TOP-100”. Manufacturers save money, but prices for patients remain high, and small manufacturers lose competitiveness.
A survey in the Czech Republic shows growing fatigue with Ukrainian refugees, although most support their stay. 58% believe the country has accepted too many refugees, but 52% support providing asylum.
The National Bank of Ukraine forecasts GDP growth of 2. 1% in 2025, which is slower than last year. This is due to increased shelling, infrastructure losses, and negative migration trends.
Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, the winner of the competition for the position of director of the Bureau of Economic Security, will undergo a polygraph test. This decision was made after a conversation with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Forecaster Natalka Didenko predicts dry and warm weather in most of Ukraine on August 2-3. Precipitation is possible in Rivne region, the Carpathians, the east, Dnipropetrovsk region, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava region.
The National Bank of Ukraine expects Ukrainian migrants to start gradually returning from 2027, but the speed of this process will depend on security risks. Until 2027, an outflow of migrants is predicted, and from 2027, a net return of about 100,000 people is expected.
In July 2025, Ukrainians purchased over 6. 4 thousand new passenger cars, which is 1% more than last year. Toyota remains the leader, and the Chinese brand BYD is approaching it.
The KLR Bus terminal in Khmelnytskyi has been certified and meets EU and Ukrainian requirements. The company has invested over UAH 40 million and plans to expand to Lviv and Przemyśl.
A 65-year-old man was forcibly detained and beaten by TCC employees in Kaniv. The court refused to open criminal proceedings due to missed deadlines for filing the application.
Germany will transfer additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine as a first stage. Other system components will be transferred within 2-3 months.
HUR employees identified and published data of a representative of the separate drone aviation brigade GROM "Kaskad". The corresponding brigade launches "Shahed" type drones on the territory of Ukraine and strikes civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, terrorizing the civilian population.
A local resident is suspected of seizing almost 2 hectares of land in Drahobrat. The plots, valued at UAH 12.5 million, have been seized, and all those involved in the scheme are being identified.
The National Bank lowered the forecast for grain and leguminous crops to 57. 9 million tons, and oilseeds to 21.0 million tons in 2025. The reasons were unfavorable weather conditions, in particular spring frosts, and the slow expansion of sown areas.
Andriy Yermak held talks with advisors from Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy. The preparation of a bilateral security agreement between Ukraine and the USA was discussed, which includes financial support from European partners.
The National Bank of Ukraine forecasts stable tariffs for electricity, gas, heating, and hot water until the end of 2025. A gradual adjustment of tariffs to economically justified levels is expected from 2026.
Germany will provide Ukraine with two Patriot air defense systems. The US will replace these systems for Germany with new ones.
The US Department of Defense announced on July 31, 2025, the signing of large-scale contracts worth tens of billions of dollars. The agreements cover aviation, navy, army, scientific developments, and international cooperation, including arms supplies to allies.
The supply of labor in Ukraine is growing faster than demand, but the shortage of personnel will persist. The National Bank predicts slower salary growth due to imbalances in the labor market.
The SBU detained a former nurse who collected data on checkpoints and strongholds of the Defense Forces in Sumy region. The woman recorded objects with a mini-camera installed on her bicycle and transmitted the data to her handler.
President Zelenskyy stated that in July, Russia used over 3,800 "Shaheds", almost 260 missiles, and over 5,100 KABs against Ukraine. He emphasized the need for additional pressure and sanctions against Moscow.
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.
Renovation works to modernize the infrastructure have begun at the Kelmentsi-Larga border crossing point. This may lead to temporary delays when crossing the border with Moldova.
The battle for Chasiv Yar has been going on for over two years, the front line is stable, there are no breakthroughs. Russian forces have suffered huge losses but have not achieved success, so they resort to information dumps and prepare massive assaults.