Politics & Economics

In the first half of 2025, Ukraine exported goods worth USD 20.0 billion — a 4.2% decrease compared to January–June of the previous year. Imports during the same period totaled USD 38.6 billion. This was reported by the State Statistics Service, according to Ukrinform. “In the first half of 2025, exports of goods amounted to USD 20,044.9 million, or 95.8% of the volume recorded in the first half of 2024, while imports reached USD 38,557.1 million, or 115.6%,” the report stated. The trade deficit widened to USD 18.51 billion, compared to USD 12.43 billion in the same period last year.…

Ukrainian Prime Minster Yuliia Svyrydenko has instructed competent agencies to conduct an audit of subsoil users within strategically important sites. The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minster Yuliia Svyrydenko on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “I have instructed the Economy, Environment and Agriculture Ministry and the State Service for Geology and Mineral Resources to conduct an audit of all subsoil users holding permits for strategically important sites. We plan to verify who is actually operating and who is holding licenses without extraction. Such assets must either produce results or be returned to auction for responsible investors,” Svyrydenko noted. Additionally,…

The European Union is mobilizing EUR 500 million to finance emergency gas purchases for Ukraine. The relevant statement was made by the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. On August 13, 2025, the European Commission signed a guarantee agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) “to enable an unprecedented EUR 500 million loan for Ukraine’s energy security.” The financing will allow Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC to finance emergency gas purchases. “The Commission will guarantee 90% of the loan within the amended HI-BAR programme financed under the EU’s Ukraine Investment Framework,” the report states.…

In the second half of August 2025, the general situation on the foreign exchange market will remain largely unchanged. No significant exchange rate fluctuations are expected to take place. The relevant statement was made by Director of the Financial Markets and Investment Department at Globus Bank Taras Liesovyi in a commentary to Ukrinform. As explained by Liesovyi, the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar will continue to be formed within the ‘managed flexibility’ range, i.e. the National Bank’s strategy will remain the same. Hence, there will be no global exchange rate fluctuations with regard to the U.S. dollar. “Instead, current…

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported growing challenges in maintaining a stable water supply for cooling the reactors at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).   This information was published on the IAEA’s official website, according to Ukrinform. “Over the past two weeks, the IAEA staff at the ZNPP have continued to monitor the site's cooling water systems. The ZNPP’s six reactors have been in cold shutdown since spring 2024 but still require cooling water for their safety systems, reactor cores, and spent fuel pools. The ZNPP’s external power situation remains vulnerable, with the plant having lost the…

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has held a meeting with a team of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) and business associations to coordinate actions. The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “We have met with a team of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU) and business associations. We are grateful for their willingness to cooperate for the sake of our state and Ukraine’s development. We clearly realize that the strength of Ukrainian entrepreneurship is critically important for the economic stability of the state. Our ability to finance defense,…

The Republic of Azerbaijan has sent another shipment of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, consisting of power equipment. The relevant statement was made by Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC), an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to Jahid Mikayilov, Head of Press Section at the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the above shipment was dispatched from the Sumgayit Technologies Park. Photo: azertag.az The first batch of equipment was sent as a convoy of 10 trucks. It includes nearly 90,000 meters of electrical cables and wires, as well as 25 generators and seven sets of transformers, intended to support the restoration of stable…

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed the key stages of construction of an artillery shell production plant with Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall Group. According to Ukrinform, Shmyhal announced this on Telegram. “I had a conversation with Armin Papperger, head of the Rheinmetall Group. He is our long-standing and important partner. We have exemplary cooperation in three areas: armored vehicles, ammunition, and air defense systems,” the minister said. According to him, the focus is now on the development of joint projects in Ukraine, in particular the construction of a factory for the production of artillery shells. “We discussed the key…

Naftogaz and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have signed a record agreement for Ukraine to purchase gas worth €500 million. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the news on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. “Naftogaz and the EBRD have signed a record agreement for Ukraine — €500 million for gas purchases. This is the bank's largest project in our country,” she wrote. Svyrydenko added that this is the first time such a loan has been provided under an EU guarantee, without a state guarantee from Ukraine. "This will allow Ukraine to better prepare for the heating season and provide Ukrainian…

On August 12, 2025, the Ukrainian State Property Fund sold Ukrainian Research and Technology Center of Metallurgy Industry ‘Energostal’ State Enterprise through privatization auction for UAH 600 million. The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian State Property Fund on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “UAH 600 million is the result of an online privatization auction for the unified asset package of Kharkiv-based Ukrainian Research and Technology Center of Metallurgy Industry ‘Energostal’ State Enterprise,” the report states. The auction was held via the Prozorro.Sale e-auction system. Seven bidders took part in the auction. The starting price of the lot was UAH…