The Poltava Oil Extraction Plant (POEZ) of the Kernel agricultural holding has officially switched to renewable energy sources certified by the international organization Bureau Veritas Group, the company’s press service reported on Facebook.
According to the report, the agricultural holding will fully supply POEZ with renewable energy from sunflower husks, thereby reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than 11,000 tons per year. In addition, autonomous power generation will ensure continuity of production and reduce risks to food security.
“This is another step towards transforming Ukraine into a sustainable, energy-independent, and innovative country that knows how to turn agricultural resources into strategic advantages. Now our consumers can make an informed choice and contribute to the green recovery of the country’s economy by supporting a producer of certified sustainable oil,” Kernel emphasized.
It is specified that POEZ became the first company in Ukraine’s food sector to join the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In addition, it intends to support communities and supply surplus “green” energy to Ukraine’s power grid.
“This step is part of Kernel’s efforts to decarbonize and ensure climate resilience at every stage of our work: from the field to logistics,” the agricultural holding summarized.
The Poltava OEZ of the Kernel agricultural holding specializes in the production of sunflower oil under the Stozhar trademark. Previously, oil under this brand was produced in Vovchansk (Kharkiv region). With the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the work of the SEZ in Vovchansk was suspended and its capacities were transferred to the Poltava region. Before the war, the processing capacity of the Vovchansk SEZ was 330,000 tons of sunflower seeds per year. In turn, the Poltava SEZ is designed to process up to 430,000 tons of sunflower seeds per year and produces unrefined, refined, and hydrated vegetable oil, as well as meal.
Before the war, the Kernel agricultural holding company ranked first in the world in the production of sunflower oil (about 7% of world production) and its export (about 12%). It is one of the largest producers and sellers of bottled oil in Ukraine. In addition, it is engaged in the cultivation and sale of agricultural products.
In the first nine months of 2025, Kernel increased its net profit by 7% to $218 million, with revenue growing by 19% to $3.092 billion and EBITDA increasing by 4% to $398 million.
On June 12, PJSC Khmelnytskoenergo announced a tender for compulsory motor third-party liability insurance for owners of land vehicles, according to the Prozorro electronic public procurement system.
The expected cost of the services is UAH 4.209 million. Documents for participation in the tender will be accepted until June 20. The winner of a similar tender a year ago was Guardian Insurance Company.
One of Ukraine’s largest grain market operators, Nibulon, has signed a contract with the seaport of Chornomorsk for the transshipment of up to 1 million tons of agricultural products in preparation for the new marketing year, the grain trader’s press service reported on Facebook.
The agricultural holding noted that the signing of this contract was a decisive step in the formation of a flexible logistics model that will allow Nibulon to maintain continuity of exports even without access to its own terminal. In addition, despite the surplus of transshipment capacity on the market, the company managed to achieve a balance of interests. Furthermore, optimized regional logistics will help create added value for Ukrainian farmers.
“Our volume and stability are tools that protect farmers. We work with over 3,000 small and medium-sized agricultural producers who, thanks to efficient logistics, receive competitive purchase prices, allowing them to plan and develop even in difficult conditions,” emphasized Sergey Kalkutin, Nibulon’s logistics director.
The company also emphasized that negotiations with other port operators are currently ongoing.
Before the war, Nibulon cultivated 82,000 hectares of land in 12 regions of Ukraine and exported agricultural products to more than 70 countries around the world. In 2021, the grain trader exported a record 5.64 million tons of agricultural products and delivered record volumes to foreign markets in August (0.7 million tons), in the fourth quarter (1.88 million tons), and in the second half of the year (3.71 million tons).
It is currently operating at 32% of its capacity, has created a special unit for demining agricultural land, and has been forced to move its central office from Mykolaiv to Kyiv.
Israel is closing its diplomatic missions worldwide and consular services will not be provided, the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine said.
“In light of recent events, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided,” a statement on the embassy’s website said on Friday.
It is noted that Israelis abroad can use an online form to report their location and current status.
Source: https://new.embassies.gov.il/ukraine/en/announcements/rising-lion-israel-iran-june-2025
The Council of the European Union will take a political decision to extend the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainian refugees in EU countries for another year, until March 2027.
This was announced on Friday in Luxembourg by European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner upon his arrival at the EU Council meeting on home affairs. “Today, we are continuing temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens, but we are also discussing the way forward, a roadmap, because Ukrainians desperately need their people to return to rebuild their country, and that is what we are working on,” he said.
The European Commissioner also noted that Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov will take part in the meeting at the invitation of the European side. “I am very pleased that he accepted my invitation to come here today, because it is always important not just to talk about Ukraine, but to talk to Ukraine and talk with them, that is important,” Brunner stressed.
Upon arriving at the EU Council meeting, Ukrainian Minister for National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov called his participation “unique” and said that the ministers would discuss “the cooperation and support that the European Union is providing to Ukraine right now.” “We have been informed about the extension of temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees for another year, until March 2027. It is very important to provide these people with clarity regarding their life plans and their safety. And we are very grateful to the European Union for this very important and timely decision,” he stressed.
Chernyshov said that due to Russian terror and deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, ”the situation remains very dramatic.” “Today, we have the full support of the interior ministers of European countries,” the Ukrainian minister said.
He also noted the importance of working with Ukrainians in Europe. ”We currently have about 5 million Ukrainians under temporary protection who left Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion. And this number is growing. Sixty percent of them are in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Germany is the country that has taken in the most Ukrainians, more than 1.2 million people. It is important that we are prepared to voluntarily return some or most of the Ukrainians after the war ends and stable peace is established. We are preparing special centers in the capitals of European Union countries — “unity hubs” — which will provide professional services both to Ukrainians who are considering returning home voluntarily after peace is achieved and to those who decide to integrate into European Union countries,” Chernyshov said.
As previously reported, the European Commission had put forward a proposal to extend the temporary protection mechanism for Ukrainians who were forced to leave the country due to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The European Commission has confirmed the disbursement of the fifth tranche of emergency macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Ukraine in the amount of €1 billion under the ERA, which will be repaid from frozen Russian state assets.
“This further strengthens the EU’s role as Ukraine’s largest donor since the start of Russia’s aggressive war, with total support approaching €150 billion,” the European Commission said on Friday.
It is specified that the total MFA amounts to EUR 18.1 billion and is the EU’s contribution to the G7 Emergency Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, which aims to provide Ukraine with financial support of approximately EUR 45 billion.
“These loans are to be repaid from the proceeds of Russian state assets frozen in the EU. With this latest payment, the total amount of Commission loans to Ukraine under this MFA will reach EUR 7 billion from the beginning of 2025,” the EC said.
The press release also recalls that “as agreed by European leaders at the Special European Council in early March and confirmed by President Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission stands ready to allocate the EU’s contribution to the ERA loan initiative if necessary.”
“It is in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities on the next disbursements. If Ukraine submits a request, the Commission is ready to respond quickly. This will allow the EU to support any significant increase in military spending in the coming weeks and months, helping to ensure that Ukraine is in a strong position ahead of any potential peace talks,” the press release emphasizes.
