07:40, 03 Mar
Pension in 2025: How many years of service are required and how to purchase additional time if you're short.
Retirement in 2025 means that a retiree at the age of 60 has accumulated 32 years of insurance experience. Focus learned what to do if there is a shortfall in the required years of service.
07:44, 01 Mar
Satisfying Trump’s appetites: Why does Ukraine need a minerals agreement with the U.S.?
President Vladimir Zelensky has arrived in the United States for a meeting with President Donald Trump. It is anticipated that a bilateral agreement on mineral resources will be signed during this meeting. What are the terms of the document, is it beneficial for Ukraine, and what is Trump's interest in it? These questions were explored by Focus.
07:43, 01 Mar
The battle for rare metals: The US and China are already competing in Africa for cobalt and gold deposits.
Another war is erupting in Africa: in Congo, rebels from the M23 group, backed by Rwanda under the guise of "they're not there," are attempting to seize power. This conflict revolves around resources such as cobalt, tantalum, and tungsten. Focus investigates what Rwanda seeks from Congo and how the United States and China are involved.
07:41, 01 Mar
"Another Budapest Memorandum," says expert Vladimir Omelchenko about the agreement with the U.S. regarding minerals.
In the near future, Ukraine may sign an agreement with the United States regarding the exploration of its natural resources. Will this document pave the way for a future boom in Ukraine's extraction from new deposits, or will it offer Ukraine different opportunities?
07:40, 01 Mar
Departure from Ukraine is prohibited: what effects will the cancellation of the "Shlyakh" system and new border restrictions bring?
The Cabinet of Ministers has abolished the "Shlyakh" system, significantly restricting the ability of male drivers to leave the country. From now on, crossing the border is only permitted under general circumstances, and journalists and cultural figures are now required to have bookings and official assignments. Focus examined the implications of this decision.
07:40, 01 Mar
"Impolite and bold": The drone creator revealed how Russians boasted about their weapons at IDEX 2025.
A large-scale conference in the UAE provided Russia with the opportunity to negotiate the supply of components for weaponry that could later be used against Ukrainians. However, Ukraine also derived significant benefits from the event.
07:36, 01 Mar
The Kyiv-based Rosinka plant has been restored for $2 million and is set to commence operations in May 2025.
Former Kyiv City Council deputy Vyacheslav Suprunenko has invested $2 million in the bankrupt "Kyiv Rosinka Plant," which he acquired in 2023. The plant is set to resume operations in May 2025, according to Forbes Ukraine.
07:36, 01 Mar
The Finance Ministry will not continue the transition to implement new requirements for fiscal receipts, despite calls from the business sector.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has announced that starting March 1, 2025, new requirements for the format and content of fiscal receipts will be implemented. They also stated that the transitional period will not be extended, despite requests from the business community.
07:36, 01 Mar
Starting April 1, a coefficient of 1.1 will be applied to the minimum excise tax obligation for cigarettes.
From April 1 to December 31, 2025, cigarette manufacturers and importers must apply a coefficient of 1.1 to the minimum excise tax obligation, as reported by the State Tax Service of Ukraine.
07:36, 01 Mar
In February, grain exports lagged 2 million tons behind last year's figures, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.
As of February 28, 2024, Ukraine has exported 28.853 million tons of grains and legumes since the beginning of the 2024/25 marketing year (July 2024 - June 2025). Of this total, 3.162 million tons were shipped in this month, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, referencing data from the State Customs Service.
07:36, 01 Mar
In the past year, over 50,000 businesses and entrepreneurs received government support through the "Made in Ukraine" program, according to Shmyhal.
In the past year, under the government program "Made in Ukraine," more than 50,000 businesses and entrepreneurs have received state support, announced Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
07:36, 01 Mar
Gas reserves in underground storage facilities hit a historic low by the end of February, according to the former energy minister.
According to former Energy Minister Olga Buslavets, the extremely low natural gas reserves in Ukraine's underground storage facilities, currently at 6.3 billion cubic meters—an all-time low for the end of February—combined with the severe condition of many infrastructure assets following shelling, pose significant challenges in preparing for the upcoming autumn-winter season of 2025/26.
07:36, 01 Mar
Ukraine and the IMF have reached an agreement on the seventh review of the EFF program, according to Shmyhal.
Ukraine and the IMF have reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, with a total amount of approximately $15.5 billion, announced Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Friday.
07:36, 01 Mar
The IMF has revised its GDP growth forecast for Ukraine in 2025 down by 0.5 percentage points, now predicting a growth rate of 2-3%.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecast for Ukraine's economy in 2025 downward, reducing it by 0.5 percentage points from the previous estimate to a range of 2-3%. This information was announced in a press release following the mission's completion of the seventh review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.
07:36, 01 Mar
Italy will contribute €13 million to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine, Carlo Formosa, signed an agreement to contribute EUR 13 million to the Fund for Supporting Ukraine's Energy Sector in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Roman Andarak, as reported by the Ministry of Energy on Friday evening.
07:41, 28 Feb
Starting March 1, pensions in Ukraine will be increased. Find out how much the payments will rise.
The Cabinet of Ministers has issued a decree regarding the indexing of pensions and insurance payments in 2025. Focus has investigated what the payments will look like, who will receive them, and what economists think about this decision.
07:41, 28 Feb
Shells are available, but no Patriot systems: what are the main issues with weapon supplies to Ukraine from Europe?
According to experts, European allies will find it challenging to replace certain types of American weaponry, particularly the Patriot systems. The same applies to the quantity of ammunition supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The European Union was unprepared for a full-scale war and is unable to quickly ramp up the production of shells, missiles, and heavy weaponry.
07:40, 28 Feb
No more Morgenshtern: Will Ukrainians stop listening to Russian music after the Spotify ban?
The popularity of the Russian artist Morgenshtern in Ukraine has sparked a petition calling for a complete ban on songs in the Russian language on streaming services. This initiative has already gathered the required number of signatures for government consideration, leading to a heated debate in society: should all Russian-language content be blocked, or is it better to focus on promoting Ukrainian music instead?
07:40, 28 Feb
The end of illusions. Will Donald Trump really prevent Ukraine's NATO membership?
Donald Trump has stated that he rules out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO as part of a future peace agreement. Is it truly possible to put an end to Kyiv's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, which are enshrined at the constitutional level? This question was explored by Focus.
07:36, 28 Feb
The EBRD has downgraded its growth forecast for Ukraine's economy in 2025 from 4.7% to 3.5%.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has revised its economic growth forecast for Ukraine in 2025 down to 3.5%, compared to its previous expectation of 4.7% in September of last year. For the upcoming year, the bank anticipates an acceleration in growth to 5.0%, contingent upon the cessation of hostilities within this year.
07:36, 28 Feb
Ukraine's accession to the EU could happen before 2030, with the agricultural sector facing the toughest challenges, according to the EU ambassador.
The process of Ukraine's integration into the European Union will be challenging due to the Ukrainian agricultural sector, which poses certain risks for European farmers. Following a series of protests, the issue will be resolved, and Ukraine is expected to join the EU before 2030, according to EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Maternova.
07:36, 28 Feb
Oschadbank and "EKU" have partnered to launch a joint program aimed at advancing energy development in local communities.
Oschadbank and the state energy trader "Energy Company of Ukraine" (ECU) have signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at streamlining the process and enhancing the conditions for financing new energy projects within the territorial communities of Ukraine.
07:36, 28 Feb
Over three years of conflict, ArcelorMittal has provided $1 billion in support to its Kryvyi Rih steel plant, according to the CEO.
Over the past three years, ArcelorMittal has provided financial support of $1 billion to its facility, the Kryvorizhstal Mining and Metallurgical Plant, part of PAO "ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih" (AMKR, Dnipropetrovsk region), as reported by AMKR's General Director, Mauro Longobardo.
07:36, 28 Feb
Ukraine and the EU are exploring three scenarios for agricultural trade policy following the conclusion of the ATM.
The Ukrainian government and experts are evaluating three potential scenarios for the continuation of trade policies following the expiration of autonomous trade measures (ATM) regarding the import of Ukrainian agricultural products into the European Union on June 5, as stated by Oleksandr Haiduk, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on agrarian and land policy.
07:36, 28 Feb
In 2024, Zaporizhstal allocated 938 million UAH for capacity support, with plans to invest up to 1.1 billion UAH in 2025.
In 2024, the Zaporizhstal Metallurgical Plant allocated 938 million UAH for the maintenance of its production capacities, with plans to increase investments to 1.1 billion UAH in 2025.
07:36, 28 Feb
On the last day of winter, power restrictions for industrial consumers are set for nearly half a day, according to "Ukrenergo."
On Friday, NEC "Ukrenergo" will implement power restrictions for industries and businesses from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
07:36, 28 Feb
In the next 15 years, Ukraine aims to return to pre-war electricity consumption levels, but the energy mix will undergo significant changes, according to "Ukrenergo."
The National Energy Company "Ukrenergo" anticipates an annual increase in electricity consumption of approximately 2% in the post-war period, aiming to return to pre-war levels within 15 years, albeit with a different energy mix. This was reported by Vitaliy Zaychenko, the director of the Unified Energy System of Ukraine and a member of the company's board.
07:36, 28 Feb
Demand for commercial spaces in residential complexes is increasing, according to experts.
The demand for commercial spaces in residential complexes is on the rise, with rental rates nearly returning to pre-war levels, according to Anna Laevskaya, the commercial director of "Intergal-Bud," in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
07:36, 28 Feb
Global debt reached a record $318 trillion in 2024, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF).
The global debt, which encompasses the obligations of governments, households, and both financial and non-financial companies, rose by $7.2 trillion in 2024, reaching a record high of $318.4 trillion, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF).
07:36, 28 Feb
The share of grain and oil in Kernel's export structure to the EU has doubled due to the loss of the Chinese market.
"Kernel," one of the largest agricultural holdings in Ukraine, exported 6 million tons of grain during the 2023/24 marketing year (from July 2023 to June 2024), down from 8 million tons before the war. However, it exported 1.4 million tons of oil, slightly exceeding pre-war figures. The company had to significantly adjust its export geography, reported Ekaterina Spivakova, the Director of Government Relations at Kernel.
