Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have signed a new treaty providing for mutual assistance in the event of armed attack and joint development of the Deep Precision Strike missile system. The agreement also covers cooperation in trade, transport, and migration, deepening ties after Brexit.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated that he does not know what Ukraine is and where it is located. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine published the country's coordinates and its description, provided by the Grok chatbot.
Russian troops are preparing for an intensified summer offensive, concentrating 160,000 personnel near the front line. They have made little progress, improving positions to cut off Ukrainian troops in Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Kupyansk.
The updated Ukrainian Cup trophy is made in the style of a Cossack mace. The cup features the motto belonging to the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade named after Ivan Sirko.
President Zelenskyy stated that about 40% of the weapons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are produced in Ukraine, and this figure should increase to 50% within six months. The new government will audit defense agreements with partners.
In the first half of 2025, passenger car imports to Ukraine increased by 12. 5%, reaching 2.55 billion US dollars. Electric vehicles account for 31.6% of imports, benefiting from preferential customs clearance conditions.
Yulia Svyrydenko, the newly appointed Prime Minister of Ukraine, outlined key priorities: providing for the army, increasing domestic production, and optimizing the state apparatus. She also emphasized supporting entrepreneurs and reducing expenditures.
The Brave1 cluster launched the Test in Ukraine platform, which allows international defence tech companies to test their technologies on the real battlefield in Ukraine. This will enable foreign companies to create precise solutions and receive feedback from the military.
On Friday, July 18, contrasting weather is expected in Ukraine with temperatures ranging from +17°C in the west to +35°C in the east. Rains with thunderstorms are forecast almost throughout the country, except for the south; in Kyiv, it will be around +20°C.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing Olha Stefanishyna as Special Commissioner for the Development of Cooperation with the United States of America.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, congratulated Yulia Svyrydenko on her appointment as Prime Minister of Ukraine. She also thanked Denys Shmyhal for his work and wished him success in his new position as Minister of Defense.
Mykhailo Fedorov refuted rumors about the cancellation of distance learning, emphasizing the priority of children's safety. MOES Order No. 1112 will be canceled due to contradictions regarding access to education, especially in frontline communities.
The bodies of 1000 deceased citizens, who, according to the Russian side, belong to citizens of Ukraine, including military personnel, have been returned to Ukraine. This was the result of repatriation measures.
This summer, the Mike's Hard Drink brand introduced a vibrant new product — the Pineapple flavor, which could become the main favorite of the season.
The German government expressed disagreement with the European Commission's proposal for the EU budget, which included €100 billion in aid to Ukraine. Berlin considers an increase in the budget unacceptable when member states are consolidating their own budgets.
Procurement is gradually turning into a powerful strategic management tool that helps companies not only save money.
Due to bad weather, 24 settlements in three regions of Ukraine were left without electricity. Electricity consumption decreased by 5.8% due to the decline in heat.
Ukraine received the bodies of 1,000 fallen defenders, while Russia received 19 bodies of its servicemen. This took place within the framework of agreements reached in Istanbul.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed Yulia Svyrydenko as the new Prime Minister of Ukraine after the resignation of Denys Shmyhal. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft resolution on her appointment.
The Commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Europe, General Alexus Grinkevich, announced preparations for the rapid transfer of additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. He noted that he is working very closely with the Germans on this issue, despite Germany's previous statements about the lack of information regarding current supplies.
Most UAVs are not subject to mandatory registration, and personnel will not undergo flight medical examination.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the military will return home after Ukraine's victory over the enemy. He emphasized the need for quality rotations for soldiers.
SBU counterintelligence detained a spotter of Russian strikes on Kharkiv, who provided the occupiers with the location of a city council unit. The 45-year-old unemployed woman was recruited via Telegram and maintained contact with the occupiers through a chatbot.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy supported the candidacy of Andriy Sybiha for the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. This information was confirmed by Mariana Bezuhla, head of the subcommittee.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on State Power Organization supported the President's submission regarding the appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko to the post of Prime Minister of Ukraine. The Rada is expected to consider all personnel issues at today's meeting.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security supported the candidacy of Denys Shmyhal for the post of Minister of Defense of Ukraine. 11 committee members voted for his appointment, 4 abstained.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna has been appointed Ambassador to the USA. Former Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov will move to the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported.
In April-June 2025, 73,799 individual entrepreneurs were opened in Ukraine, which is 3% less than last year. In the first half of the year, 137,557 new individual entrepreneurs were registered, but 157,605 ceased operations, with more than a third of them having worked for less than two years.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada the candidacies of Andriy Sybiha for the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Denys Shmyhal for the post of Minister of Defense.
A presidential draft resolution on the appointment of Yulia Svyrydenko as Prime Minister of Ukraine has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. The information is posted on the parliament's website.