Politics
The Cabinet of Ministers postpones the launch of the E-excise system until 1 November 2026
The government has postponed the mandatory launch of the electronic excise system from 1 January to 1 November 2026. Business and the state have been given additional time to test and transition to the new rules of administration
Zelenskyy ready for referendum on Trump's plan under ceasefire
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he could put Donald Trump's peace plan to a referendum if Russia agrees to a ceasefire for at least 60 days. Territorial issues and security guarantees remain a key concern.
Preparing elections in time of war: positions of the working group speakers
The working group on the preparation of laws on elections in times of war will hold its next meeting by 9 January 2026. Speakers spoke about destroyed polling stations, the risks of online voting and the constitutional ban on martial law elections
Ukraine has attracted almost USD 200 million under Japanese guarantees as part of the World Bank's SURGE project
In December, Ukraine received $196.3 million in concessional financing from the World Bank under the guarantee of the Japanese government. The funds are aimed at strengthening fiscal management and budget sustainability
Trump, Zelenskyy set to meet in Florida to agree on US peace plan
Donald Trump may host Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to finalise the US peace plan. Kyiv says document is 90 per cent agreed, key dispute is over Donbas
Closure of AZAL crash case in Russia raises serious questions
Azerbaijan has said that the decision of the Russian Investigative Committee to close the criminal case on the downing of AZAL flight J2 8243 is distrustful. Baku is waiting for the completion of compensation and a legal assessment of the actions of officials
Sanctions reduced Russian budget revenues by tens of billions of dollars in 2025
The sanctions have led to a reduction in real budget revenues by tens of billions of dollars in 2025. Russia's oil and gas revenues and export earnings have fallen significantly
Kim Jong-un supervised the test of new long-range anti-aircraft missiles
North Korea launched new long-range anti-aircraft missiles that hit targets at an altitude of 200 km. Kim Jong-un also announced the acceleration of the construction of nuclear submarines and the expansion of the fleet
The US will block Venezuelan oil for at least two more months, relying on economic pressure
Washington will focus on the "quarantine" of Venezuelan oil over the next two months. The United States is increasing sanctions pressure on the regime of Nicolas Maduro and building up its military presence in the Caribbean
False generals' reports convinced Putin that he was winning the war against Ukraine
Russian commanders, according to Western sources, are presenting an overly positive picture of the frontline to the Kremlin. As an example, they cite the statement about the alleged complete capture of Kupyansk, which was denied by the Ukrainian side
Poland to resume production of anti-personnel mines and plans to mine eastern border
Warsaw is preparing to produce anti-personnel mines for the first time since the Cold War and deploy them along the border with Belarus and Russia as part of the East Shield programme. Poland's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention is due to enter into force on 20 February 2026
Thailand and Cambodia launch talks to end border clashes
Representatives of Thailand and Cambodia begin four days of border talks to end fighting that has claimed more than 40 lives and displaced about 1 million people
