Politics & Economics

As part of the COP29 climate conference in Baku, the USA and Ukraine announced the launch of three new projects in the field of small modular reactors (SMRs) with a total funding of $30 million. That’s according to the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that the partnership will be implemented as part of the FIRST program (Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology). "The program envisages the implementation of three interrelated projects: the construction of a pilot plant for the production of pure hydrogen and ammonia (Pure Fuel project), the conversion of…

The last of Russia's large state-owned banks, Gazprom, which retains access to SWIFT and settlements in major world currencies, will be subject to new U.S. sanctions. This is reported by Nikkei with reference to officials familiar with the issue, reports Ukrinform. The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is considering the possibility of designating Gazprombank (GPB), the third-largest bank in Russia by assets, which serves as a hub for gas settlements with Europe. According to sources, Gazprom will be banned from any transactions with American banks. A decision on sanctions will be made by November-end, of which the U.S. has…

For Saturday, November 16, Ukraine has scheduled electricity imports from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova. This was reported by the Ministry of Energy, Ukrinform saw. "For the current day, imports from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova are expected for a total of 5,828 MWh," the report says. It is noted that the damage to the energy infrastructure over the Russian massive attacks complicates the functioning of the energy system. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy asks Ukrainians to rationally consume electricity, especially from 16:00 to 22:00. Read also: By halting gas supplies to Austria, Russia once again weaponizes energy…

Ukraine could reopen Lviv Airport next year, partially restoring the air services that had been suspended across the country since the Russian full-scale invasion started. The relevant statement was made by Reuters, referring to Crispin Ellison, a senior partner at insurance broker Marsh McLennan, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to Ellison, Kyiv had been in talks with European aviation authorities and airlines on restoring some air travel for almost a year. “If regulators agree it is safe to open it and a political decision is made, the insurance industry is ready to support the recovery efforts,” Ellison said, referring to…

Russia's targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and must be stopped. This was stated by Assistant UN Secretary General, coordinator of the UN system in Ukraine Matthias Schmale, who spoke at a press briefing in Geneva on Friday on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and preparations for winter, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. He cited a UN human rights report released a few weeks ago which clearly demonstrated that attacks on energy infrastructure are attacks on civilians, because energy is required for heating, cooking and other necessities. Therefore, deliberate attacks and destruction of energy…

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received more than $100 billion in external budget support. In particular, since February 2022, Ukraine has received: $31.1 billion in 2022, $42.5 billion in 2023, and $27.2 billion in 2024 (as of November 14), Ukrinform reports, referring to the Ministry of Finance. “The largest providers of budgetary assistance for this period are: the European Union - $40.5 billion; the United States - $28.2 billion; the IMF - $11.4 billion; Japan - $ 6.3 billion; Canada - $5.4 billion,” the report says. The top five partners in terms of financial support provided…

As of November 15, 2024, a total of 71.4 million tonnes of the new-harvest crops were gathered across Ukraine. The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “Overall, 52.1 million tonnes of grain crops and about 19.3 million tonnes of oilseeds were harvested,” the report states. As of November 15, 2024, Ukrainian farmers gathered grain and oilseed crops from 19.2 million hectares. In particular, wheat, barley and peas were harvested from 100% of crop fields. A total of 22.4 million tonnes of wheat was gathered from 4.9 million hectares, 5.6 million…

On November 13-15, The Hague hosted the third preparatory meeting on the establishment of an international Claims Commission for Ukraine, during which the Ukrainian delegation presented its position. That is according to the Ukrainian President’s Office, Ukrinform reports. Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, commenced the meeting via online link and encouraged attendees to expedite the formation of the Commission. "I express my gratitude to the countries that have supported us on this long journey from the very beginning. The Register of Damage now includes 43 states and the EU. At the same time, I am…

In the direction of renewable energy, the development of wind energy will be key in 2025 in Ukraine. Minister of Energy German Galushchenko said this in an interview with Ukrinform on the sidelines of the international exhibition conference, ReBuild Ukraine Construction and Energy, held in Warsaw. "But from the point of view of ‘green’ energy, of course, we intend to significantly increase wind generation next year. There are corresponding plans for the construction of specific wind generation facilities with a capacity of over 800 mW," the minister noted. He added that at the conference in Warsaw, Ukraine's western partners showed…

Starting tomorrow, Russia’s energy giant Gazprom will stop supplying natural gas via Ukraine’s territory to the Austrian company OMV. This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to Reuters. "Austria's OMV (OMVV.VI), opens new tab has been informed by Gazprom (GAZP.MM), opens new tab that the Russian gas producer would reduce its deliveries of natural gas from to zero from 0500 GMT on Nov. 16, according to information published on the CEGH Remit platform on Friday," the report reads. Read also: Gazprom withdrawn from Latvijas gāze According to the notification, the volumes of natural gas affected by the decision stand up…