Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

The EU Council has decided to provide Ukraine with over EUR 1.8 billion in financial support under the Ukraine Facility program. The funding is first of all intended to strengthen our country’s macro-financial stability and support the smooth functioning of its public administration.

The EU has agreed on a positive report on enlargement for Ukraine. “Ukraine has fulfilled the conditions necessary for the opening of clusters: one (fundamentals), six (external relations) and two (internal market). The Commission expects Ukraine to fulfill the conditions for opening the remaining three clusters and is working to ensure that the (European) Council is in a position to continue opening all clusters by the end of the year,” pointed out the European Commission.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has pointed out that Ukraine is making progress on key reforms and must maintain the momentum without allowing any backsliding, particularly in the fight against corruption. According to her, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova have made the most progress in reforms on the path to European Union membership among all candidate countries over the past year.

NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine  Patrick Turner has said that NATO countries plan to allocate about $60 billion to Ukraine next year. NATO also intends to cooperate with the Ukrainian defense industry, using its knowledge and experience.

Minister of Defence of Italy Guido Crosetto has said that his country is working on the 0 12th  support package for Ukraine.

The European Commission intends to increase customs duties on russian oil, said EC representative Paula Pinho.

The problems faced by trusts in Liechtenstein, many of which lost their managers after the USA had imposed sanctions on russia, have spread to popular offshore jurisdictions in the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. As a result, Caribbean trusts with russian assets may fall under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. It is becoming increasingly difficult for owners to protect these assets, as lawyers refuse to work with russians.

Latvia’s National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) has decided to restrict access to 27 more websites that spread russian propaganda.

Five banks where russians opened accounts for use in Europe have been hit with EU sanctions. The 19th  package of sanctions includes a number of credit institutions in post-soviet countries: VTB's branch in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan’s “Tolubai” and “Eurasian Savings Bank”, as well as Tajikistan’s “Dushanbe City Bank”, “Spitamen”, and “Kommertzbank” of Tajikistan. All these banks have been disconnected from SWIFT and activities in Europe for helping russia circumvent sanctions.

Türkiye’s largest oil refineries have begun to actively purchase oil from countries not associated with russia after the West imposed new sanctions on the russian oil industry. For example, the SOCAR Türkiye Aegean Refinery will receive four shipments of oil from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other countries in December. Another major refiner – Tupras – is also increasing its purchases of oil from alternative sources.

The Armed Forces of Belgium have been ordered to shoot down any unknown drones spotted over military airbases.

The second VAT rate increase in the last seven years, which will take place in 2026, will bring russia into the top 20 countries in the world in terms of this tax. Among countries outside Europe, russia will rank first in terms of VAT and will share this position with Uruguay (where the rate is also 22 %). In China, for example, VAT is only 13 %, in Japan – 10 %, and in the UAE – 5 %.

Following the crisis in the petrol market, where there is a shortage and wholesale prices have skyrocketed by 40-50 % since the beginning of the year, problems in russia may arise in the aviation fuel market. To resolve the crisis in petroleum product production, the rf’s government has eased demands to refineries. In particular, winter diesel fuel can now be produced by mixing summer diesel fuel with kerosene. This creates the risk of a sharp increase in jet fuel prices, which in turn poses risks for aviation.

In January-September, car production in russia decreased by 20 % and returned to its lowest levels in 2022. The decline in the automotive industry is accelerating every quarter: in January-March, it was 9.2 % year-on-year, in the second quarter – 23 %, and in the third – 26.7 %. Truck manufacturers set a record for the rate of decline, with output falling by 30 % over nine months and 41% in September.

Production of chewing gum in russia has decreased by 70 %. Rising raw material prices have hit profitability. Flavorings, sweeteners, and packaging materials became more expensive. The cost of production increased. Most russian manufacturers have given up producing chewing gum altogether.

By 2030, russia’s construction sector will face a labor shortage of more than 400,000 people.

The authorities have approved the maximum cost of thermal energy in Yekaterinburg for December. The resolution was signed by chairman of the Regional Energy Commission Vladimir Grishanov. The threshold will be slightly more than 4,700 rubles per gigacalorie for gas boiler rooms. This is more than one and a half times higher than the current tariff (2,800 rubles).

Deividas Matulonis, the Chief Adviser to the President of Lithuania, has said that measures against belarus taken to prevent the threat of smuggle balloons do work.

Since the beginning of the migration crisis initiated by the belarusian authorities (2021), the number of illegal migrants who have tried to enter Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia from belarus has exceeded 200,000.

belarus has fallen in the ranking of peaceful countries. According to the Global Peace Index 2025, belarus ranks 119th between the African countries of Lesotho and Mozambique. In 2024, belarus ranked 117th , and in 2022, it ranked 116th . Although the country is currently classified as “medium” in terms of peacefulness, it is only five places away from being classified as “low”.

Low birth rates are one of the most pressing issues in belarus. The total fertility rate for the country is 1.1, while in minsk it is only 0.6. A rate of 1.1 means that belarus belongs to the group of countries with the lowest birth rates in the world.

The ministry of taxes and fees of the rb proposes to introduce a third tax threshold for rich  belarusians, to introduce a minimum amount of tax on professional income, and to introduce a minimum amount of tax on professional income. It is obvious that the new taxes are being introduced due to the extremely difficult economic situation.