German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s surprise visit to Kyiv highlights Berlin’s support for Ukraine amid intensified Russian attacks. Merz pledges new military and economic aid, focusing on air defense and long-range weapons, while discussing peace efforts and EU membership challenges.
The European Commission and Ukraine have agreed to expedite the disbursement of €45 billion for 2027 under the EU’s €90 billion loan program. This move comes amid increased Russian attacks and Ukraine’s defense funding shortfall. The funds will be released once reform conditions are met.
Russia strikes on warehouses, steel plants, railways and ports are deepening pressure on Ukraine’s wartime economy. Kyiv faces lost tax revenue, disrupted exports, damaged logistics and rising costs as businesses adapt to an intensifying Russian air campaign.
Russia’s military spending soared to 10.687 trillion rubles in early 2026, marking a 30% increase from 2025. This surge, driven by classified expenditures, accounted for 57.3% of federal budget income, contributing to a 6.45 trillion ruble deficit, nearly doubling the annual target.
Donald Trump says the US will ask European countries to pay back the “hundreds of billions” in weapons and ammunition sent to Ukraine under Joe Biden. He also defended US munitions stockpiles strained by the Iran war and confirmed a pause on arms sales to allies.
Russia’s gold reserves have plunged to 73.2 million troy ounces as of August 1, their lowest since January 2020. This decline marks a shift from steady accumulation, with holdings decreasing by 50 tons this year. The reduction stems from domestic market transactions mirroring fiscal operations.
Ukraine’s Armed Forces are causing substantial losses to Russia, with the value of these losses greatly surpassing the cost of the weapons used. The DELTA system reveals that every dollar spent by Ukraine results in five dollars of Russian losses, optimizing cost-effective strategies.
The EBRD is doubling its support for Kyiv with a €50 million loan, ensuring vital municipal services amid ongoing conflict. Backed by an EU guarantee, this funding helps address urgent liquidity needs, enhance energy resilience, and expand veterans’ assistance in Ukraine’s capital.
NATO is weighing a €70 billion military aid package for Ukraine, proposed by Germany, to be unveiled at the Ankara summit. The initiative seeks to improve funding transparency and address burden-sharing concerns. Discussions focus on air defense and advanced weaponry support.
The EU is poised to disburse the first payment of a 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine within the next week. This aid package is crucial in covering two-thirds of Ukraine’s financial needs over two years, marking a key moment of EU support amid ongoing economic challenges.
The National Bank of Ukraine has decided to maintain its key policy rate at 15% to bolster the attractiveness of hryvnia investments, ensure foreign exchange market stability, and manage inflation expectations in the face of increasing price pressure. This decision is...
Building on the achievements of Phase I, EU4Recovery Phase II will provide essential support and services to war-affected regions across Ukraine. The program focuses on decentralization, community resilience, and economic development, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups. The partnership reflects a strong EU commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery efforts and EU membership ambitions.
