Ukraine has spent almost 60% of budget on defense this year
For January-July 2023, expenditures of the general fund of the state budget on the security and defense sector totaled UAH 969.2 billion.
Economy
Yermak discusses free trade protection with WTO head
On behalf of the Head of State, the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
NACP adds Alibaba Group Holding Limited to list of war sponsors
Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has added Alibaba Group Holding Limited, a Chinese group of companies, to the list of international sponsors of Russia's war. Alibaba, among other things, provides its platforms for selling goods made from copper taken from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Czechia imposes sanctions against CEO of Russian Tactical Missiles Corporation
The Government of the Czech Republic has approved the inclusion of Boris Obnosov, head of the Russian arms holding company Tactical Missiles Corporation, and his relatives in the national sanctions list.
Lithuania allocates EUR 800,000 for two projects to support Ukraine
The Lithuanian government at a meeting on Wednesday, August 16, approved a EUR 500,000 standard school architectural project for Ukraine and the allocation of EUR 300,000 to strengthen the administrative potential of Ukraine's State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development.
17 August 2023
Ukrainian, U.S. energy ministers discuss Ukraine's preparations for heating season
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm have discussed Ukraine's preparations for the new heating season.
Shmyhal instructs ministries to assess damages caused by Russian aggression to Ukraine
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with relevant ministries and instructed to assess damages to Ukraine caused by Russian aggression.
German vessel stranded in Odesa for 1.5 years reaches int'l waters
A German cargo ship, which had been blocked in the port of Odesa since Russia's war, crossed Ukrainian waters without any problems.
WTO director general visits Irpin
Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala visited the town of Irpin, Kyiv region.
Ukraine counting on WTO support in resuming agricultural exports – PM Shmyhal
Ukraine is counting on the support of the World Trade Organization in resuming agricultural exports.
NACP invites heads of int'l companies operating in Russia to visit Ukraine
Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has sent letters to companies listed as international war sponsors, inviting their executives to visit Ukraine to see the consequences of Russian war of aggression with their own eyes and discuss the withdrawal of their businesses from Russia.
16 August 2023
Over 112,000 people officially unemployed in Ukraine
The number of officially registered unemployed people in Ukraine reached 112,300 as of August 1. Since the beginning of the year, the State Employment Service has helped almost 127,000 Ukrainians find jobs.
First civilian vessel passes through Ukraine’s new humanitarian corridor
President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the first civilian vessels has passed through Ukraine’s new humanitarian corridor, leaving the port of Odesa, and is now en route to the Bosphorus.
Ukraine completely launches free trade area with North Macedonia
Ukraine has changed the mechanism of customs clearance of goods that are subject to licensing within the framework of the free trade agreement with North Macedonia.
Switzerland imposes new sanctions against Russia
Switzerland has decided to impose additional sanctions against Russia.
EU transfers €135 million to Ukraine, Moldova, which intended for programs with Russia, Belarus
The European Commission has decided to allocate 135 million euros to programs to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova. These funds were intended for programs with Russia and Belarus.
Maximo Torero, Chief Economist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Restoring the grain deal is critical for global markets
First ship leaves Odesa port along temporary corridor
The first ship left the Odesa seaport along the temporary corridor for civilian vessels.
Ukraine exports more than 3.1M t of grain
Ukraine has already exported 3.122 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops in the 2023/2024 marketing year (MY, between July 1 and August 14, 2023).
Rada’s budget committee endorses UAH 3.35B for pilot reconstruction projects
The Budget Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine agreed to allocate UAH 3.35 billion to five settlements as part of the pilot projects for comprehensive reconstruction.
15 August 2023
McFaul–Yermak group to present list of sanctions to limit production of drones in Russia
The Yermak-McFaul international working group on sanctions against Russia will soon present a document with sanctions proposals to prevent supplies of equipment necessary for the production of UAVs to the Russian Federation.
Kuleba discusses grain exports with Arab League Secretary-General
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba discussed the resumption of grain exports from Ukrainian ports and the upcoming meeting of the UN General Assembly with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
Alternative grain routes offer no remedy - Turkish official
Türkiye believes any alternative paths for exporting grain from Ukraine, in particular through the river ports on the Danube, cannot replace the Black Sea Grain Initiative, stating an urgent need to reach an agreement on reopening maritime routes.
Ukraine’s exports in 1H 2023 14.3% down on year
In January-June 2023, exports of goods from Ukraine amounted to $19.4 billion, or 85.7% of last year's figure.
Romania seeks to double transit capacity for Ukrainian grain
In the near future, Romania will double its transit capacity for grain coming from Ukraine from 2 million tons to 4 million tons per month.
In Russia, dollar exchange rate exceeds 100 rubles
The dollar has risen above 100 rubles in trading on the Moscow Stock Exchange for the first time since March 23, 2022.
NBU sells over $469.4M on interbank market in past week
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) sold $469.4 million on the interbank foreign exchange market over the past week.
14 August 2023
Germany plans to allocate EUR 5B in aid to Ukraine every year - Lindner
Finance Minister of Ukraine and Germany - Sergii Marchenko and Christian Lindner - signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two countries.
Investments for reconstruction: Shmyhal meets with German finance minister Lindner
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed the prospects of investment cooperation for Ukraine’s reconstruction with German Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner.