Stay up to date with the latest news in Ukraine and the world. From financial assistance to strengthen the Ukrainian economy and energy sector to global events and humanitarian support.
1 billion: Ukraine receives financial aid from Japan and the UK
Ukraine has received $1 billion from Japan and the United Kingdom under the DPL program.
This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The funding consists of $567 million guaranteed by the Japanese government under the Trust Fund for Providing Ukraine with Necessary Credit Support (ADVANCE Ukraine) and $483 million guaranteed by the UK government, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reports.
The funds raised will be used to strengthen the Ukrainian economy and finance priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian spheres.
The purpose of the DPL project is to support the implementation of reforms in Ukraine. Thus, Ukraine receives the corresponding tranche based on the results of implementing the program requirements.
€15 million: Lithuania to upgrade surveillance systems on the border with Russia with EU funds
The European Commission has provided Lithuania with €15.4 million to help the country modernize its electronic border surveillance systems. Lithuania will upgrade them at four border crossing points on the border with Russia, LRT reports.
The work is scheduled to begin next year and be completed by 2027.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the systems will be updated at the Rokiškės border station (22.4 km), Vysstytis border station (34.4 km), Vesevile border station (30.6 km), and Plaszkiai border station (25.9 km).
Lithuania also asked the EU for money for nine other border crossing points, but the bloc did not approve the rest of the applications.
The Commission has put these requests on a reserve list and will allocate funding when additional funds become available.
12 dead and three wounded: explosion at an explosive’s factory in Turkey
An explosion occurred at an explosive’s factory in the village of Kavakli, Balikesir province, Turkey. Preliminarily, 12 people were killed and three injured.
This was reported by CNN turk with reference to the words of the Governor of Balikesir İsmail Ustaoğlu.
According to him, the possibility of a terrorist attack and a second explosion has already been ruled out, but the causes are currently unknown. The explosion occurred in the production area, where 15 people were allegedly working, and not in the main building of the plant.
All ambulances and fire brigades of the province were sent there. Ambulances are waiting in front of the factory. Hospitals are on standby.
The governor emphasized that the exact number of people who were in the building at the time of the explosion is being established. The prosecutor’s office has already started an investigation.
€86 million from the EU: Ukraine will receive assistance from the EU to protect the energy sector
Ukraine has received €86 million from the European Investment Bank to protect its energy infrastructure from drone attacks.
This is stated on the institution’s website.
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national electricity transmission system operator, will use the funds to build shelters to protect critical power substations.
This is the first tranche under the EIB’s Ukraine Energy Rescue Plan after it was approved in October this year. It provides funding of up to €600 million for emergency energy projects in the public and private sectors.
73% of Ukrainians support restoration of Ukraine’s nuclear status
73% of Ukrainians are generally positive about the idea of restoring nuclear weapons in Ukraine. This is according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.
Another 20% are against it, and 7% have not decided on this issue. At the same time, if the West stops supporting Ukraine and imposes sanctions on Kyiv if nuclear weapons are restored, the favorable attitude drops to 46%. In this case, another 44% oppose the restoration of nuclear weapons. Another 10% have undecided views.
At the same time, provided that Ukraine has enough resources to hold out until it obtains nuclear weapons, 58% would be willing to lose Western support in order to obtain nuclear weapons. This scenario is opposed by 33%, and 8% are undecided.
