Politics & Economics

During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, to be held on June 18-21, the Russian Federation will launch formal consultations with the BRICS nations on setting up a grain exchange. That’s according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU), Ukrinform reports. "The Kremlin is promoting the project as a tool to strengthen positions in the global agricultural market and circumvent Western sanctions. The goal is to strengthen its influence across the Global South. The Kremlin sees the new exchange as a step toward a broader commodity platform for oil, metals, and gas," the agency’s press service reported on Facebook.…

In May 2025, unlike in April, Ukrainian metallurgists reduced the production of key products. This is according to data published by the Ukrmetallurgprom Association, as reported by Ukrinform. In May, 664.7 thousand tons of cast iron were produced, which is 2.3% less than in April; 635.8 thousand tons of steel (-8.1%); and 547.0 thousand tons of rolled metal (-4.2%). There is also a decrease in production compared to last year’s figures: cast iron production fell by 1.3%, steel by 13.8%, and rolled metal by 11.8%. After five months of operation, only cast iron production shows positive dynamics, having increased by 5.9% in…

Lowering the Russian Central Bank’s key interest rate from 21% to 20% will not resolve the country’s economic problems caused by the war and international sanctions. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. The CCD stated that despite the rate cut, Russia’s economic situation remains difficult, and the real impact of such measures will be limited. “The rate reduction was an attempt to signal that Russia’s economy is improving, but in reality, the Central Bank continues injecting more money into the system than the key…

Ukraine has received over 7,000 units of power equipment from international partners, supporting efforts to avoid blackouts amid Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this at the III International Summit of Cities and Regions, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "I am especially grateful to those who helped us endure the winters of this war. The Russians did everything possible to cause a blackout. Thanks to our cooperation, we have obtained over 7,000 units of energy equipment. Additionally, there are already 454 alternative energy projects," the President said. Read also: Chernihiv in blackout following latest attack Zelensky also thanked cities and…

Ukraine has up to 12 months to adopt all required legislation, including at least eight key draft laws in the field of justice and judicial reform, to receive full funding under the Ukraine Facility, which provides for EUR 50 billion in assistance until 2027. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna, who spoke at a briefing in the Verkhovna Rada, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "We have a period of up to 12 months to meet all necessary conditions to receive full funding. Today we are working with colleagues from parliament,…

Members of the Brave1 cluster and six other defense tech manufacturers from Ukraine presented their developments at a defense technology exhibition in Japan. This was reported by the Brave1 press service on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. “The Brave1 defense technology cluster and six Ukrainian defense tech manufacturers, with the support of the Rakuten Group, presented Ukraine's developments in the field of artificial intelligence, drone swarms, geospatial intelligence, and premedical care simulators,” the statement said. It is noted that this is the first participation of representatives from Ukraine in the event, which takes place every two years in Japan. Read also:…

The volume of individual investments in domestic government bonds may rise from UAH 92 billion to UAH 100 billion this summer. Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Andriy Pyshnyy announced this while responding to Ukrinform's questions during a monetary briefing. Pyshnyy noted that individual investments in government bonds have surged more than fourfold compared to pre-war levels. This year alone, investments have grown by over UAH 11 billion. "This reflects the NBU's targeted policy to sustain the attractiveness of hryvnia assets. We welcome this trend and will continue to support hryvnia assets as an appealing investment option," Pyshnyy…

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) have signed the first agreement under the European Union’s export credit guarantee program for Ukraine, allocating EUR 20 million in support. That is according to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform. This agreement is the first of 13 similar deals being prepared across EU Member States, aimed at supporting European business cooperation with Ukraine and strengthening the country’s economic integration with the European Union. The overall export credit program is set to provide approximately EUR 300 million in guarantees to support…

The Ukrainian government does not support the decision of the international depository Euroclear, which plans to redistribute about EUR 3 B of frozen Russian funds among Western investors whose money was seized by Russia. This was stated to Reuters by the deputy head of the President's Office, Iryna Mudra, according to Ukrinform. “If private investors receive compensation earlier than the victims of the war, it will not be fair. This creates the impression of inconsistency, of Europe's retreat from its determination,” Mudra said. According to her, international law requires the aggressor to fully compensate the victim, not investors who have…

Ukraine and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed an agreement required to receive $3 billion under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loans initiative. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. "Ukraine and JICA have signed an agreement necessary to receive $3 billion under the ERA initiative. The funds will be repaid using proceeds generated from frozen Russian assets. These resources will be directed toward priority budget expenditures to boost the economy and strengthen Ukraine," he wrote. Read also: First tranche of defense support under "Danish model" to be used in Ukraine’s arms production…