Bulgaria Secures €490 Million from EU SAFE Program to Boost Defense Industry
Bulgaria is set to receive €490 million through the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument
The transport visa-free regime between Ukraine and the European Union has been extended until the end of 2025, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Wednesday via Telegram, as reported by European Pravda.
Shmyhal emphasized that Ukrainian road carriers will continue to operate in EU member states without the need for special permits. This marks the fourth extension of the agreement since its initial signing, underscoring its practical benefits and sustained relevance.
According to the prime minister, the agreement has significantly boosted trade flows. Road exports from Ukraine to the EU have increased by 42%, while road imports to Ukraine have risen by 37%. He noted that this visa-free transport arrangement is a key element of Ukraine’s sectoral integration with the EU and supports its broader path toward full membership.
The original agreement, signed on 29 June 2022, was part of the EU’s solidarity efforts following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Commonly referred to as the “transport visa-free regime,” the deal allows Ukrainian freight carriers to enter EU territory without the quotas and individual permits that were previously required.
Additionally, Ukraine is also awaiting the extension of the EU’s current trade liberalisation measures beyond 5 June. Kyiv expects the continuation of this policy until the end of 2025, when a new framework is anticipated to replace it.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is not preparing to announce presidential elections or a referendum on a potential peace agreement with Russia on Feb. 24, the fourth anniversary of the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to present a roadmap for holding presidential elections on February 24, together with a proposal for a nationwide referendum on a potential peace agreement with Russia.
Japan is preparing to deepen its cooperation with NATO by joining an alliance-backed framework aimed at supporting Ukraine
WHO launched its Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine 2026, requesting USD 42 million to protect access to health care for 700,000 people.
Delegations from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States reached an agreement on the exchange of 314 prisoners between Kyiv and Moscow on the second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in an interview with French television channel France2 that 55,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022
Novinite 2025 in Review: A Year That Tested Bulgaria and the World
A Disgraceful Betrayal: Bulgaria's Shameful Entry into Trump's Board of Peace