Poland will expand the “Eastern Shield” fortification system from the border with Russia and Belarus also to the Ukrainian border, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, Polskie Radio reported.
“Everything we are doing here and will also do on the border with Belarus and Ukraine is aimed at deterring and discouraging the alleged aggressor, so this is really an investment in peace. We will spend billions of zlotys on this, but now the whole of Europe is watching with great pleasure and will support this investment and our activities if necessary. Our activity also concerns border security with Ukraine – for other reasons, but we want Poles to feel safer along the entire length of the eastern border,” Tusk said during a visit to the first constructed section of the fortifications.
He emphasized that the construction of the Eastern Shield will make the Warmian-Masurian, Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Podkarpackie voivodships, which are in Poland’s border regions, safer.
“The better the Polish border is guarded, the less accessible it is to those who would have bad intentions,” the prime minister pointed out.
Tusk assured that countries in the Baltic region will cooperate with Poland to ensure that this infrastructure is effective not only in Polish sections, but also along the entire border, “above all with Russia and Belarus.”
“Eastern Shield” is a program prepared by the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff of the Polish Army, which involves the construction of various types of fortifications, relief barriers and military infrastructure on Poland’s borders with Russia and Belarus – a total distance of about 800 km. It is also planned to build appropriate intelligence and threat detection systems, forward bases, logistics hubs, warehouses and deploy anti-drone systems.
In Ukraine on the first day of winter will be without precipitation, in most parts of the territory, except for the south-east, fog, reports Ukrhydrometcenter. Wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s. The temperature at night and in the afternoon from 2° frost to 3° heat (at night in the Carpathians 1-6° frost, during the day in the western regions and in the extreme south of the country 3-8° heat).
December 1 in Kiev is also without precipitation. Fog, wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s. The temperature is about 0° at night, 1-3° warm during the day.
According to the Central Geophysical Observatory named after Borys Sreznevsky in Kiev. Borys Sreznevsky in Kiev on December 1, the highest daytime temperature was 13.0° in 1898, the lowest nighttime temperature was -20.6° in 1998.
Monday, December 2 in Ukraine is also without precipitation. In most parts of the territory, except for the southern part, at night and in the morning in some places fog.
Wind of variable directions, 3-8 m/s.
The temperature at night 0-5° frost, during the day from 2° frost to 3° warm; in the southern part and western regions at night about 0°, during the day 1-6° warm; in the Carpathians at night 5-10° frost, during the day about 0°. In Kiev on December 2, no precipitation.
The wind is variable, 3-8 m/s. The temperature is 0-2° frost at night and 0-2° warm during the day.
“Ukrzaliznytsia” (UZ), the monopoly state railway operator, together with consulting company Deloitte is working on a development strategy until 2030, which will be presented during the next quarter for public discussion, said a member of the supervisory board of UZ, presidential advisor on strategic issues Alexander Kamyshyn.
“I want business to understand, take part in its formation and then understand where this industry is moving. Because Ukrzaliznytsia is not just a company, it is an industry. And that is why this strategy will be discussed publicly and adopted publicly,” he said at the Infrastructure Day organized by the European Business Association in Kiev this week.
Kamyshyn also noted that together with the new team of the Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure, a draft law on reforming the railroad industry was introduced, which gives seven years for this purpose.
At the same time, according to a member of the UZ nabsovet, who not so long ago led the railroad operator as head of the board, the process of reforming Ukrzaliznytsia continues now. He specified, in particular, that today the next two companies are next in line to be separated within the internal organizational structure of UZ.
“All the necessary amount of work that needs to be done at the level of Ukrzaliznytsia, in order to reform, will be done”, – said Kamyshyn.
He noted that he will be an active member of the supervisory board of UZ.
“For me, the main focus is to return the pace of development of the railroad and show everyone that the railroad can move fast and develop quickly,” – said the Presidential Advisor on strategic issues.
Number of dead and wounded civilians in Ukraine from 24.02.2022 till 31.08.2024 un data
Open4Business.com.ua
PJSC “Ukrhydroenergo” on November 28 announced a tender for insurance of motor vehicles of its branches. According to the information on the Prozorro portal, the expected cost of purchasing services is UAH 3.322 mln.
Documents for participation in the tender are accepted until December 6.
The article presents key macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine and the global economy for January-July 2024. The analysis is based on official data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, the IMF, the World Bank, and the UN, on the basis of which Maksym Urakin, PhD in Economics, founder of the Experts Club Information and Analytical Center and Director of Business Development and Marketing, presented an analysis of macroeconomic trends in Ukraine and the world. Key aspects such as the dynamics of gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, unemployment, foreign trade and public debt of Ukraine, as well as global macroeconomic trends are considered.
Macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine
In the first eight months of 2024, Ukraine’s economy demonstrated steady positive dynamics amid recovery from the crisis. The National Bank of Ukraine estimated real GDP growth in the second quarter at 3.7% compared to the same period last year, which is in line with the April forecast. In July, this figure accelerated to 4.4% (compared to 3.1% in June and 3.5% in May), which was the result of an earlier and faster harvest.
“Ukraine’s economic successes in 2024 show that the country is beginning to overcome the consequences of the crisis. However, against the background of these indicators, it is important to take into account the growth of the negative foreign trade balance. This is a signal of the need to strengthen domestic production and increase export potential to avoid imbalances in the future,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.
According to the State Statistics Service, the negative balance of Ukraine’s foreign trade in goods in January-August 2024 increased by 6.5% compared to the same period last year and amounted to $17.613 billion. The main reason for the increase was a slowdown in export growth amid accelerated imports. At the same time, Ukraine’s international reserves grew by 13.7%, reaching $42.33 billion, thanks to the attraction of long-term concessional financing from international partners.
“The growth of reserves to record levels is an important signal of confidence from international partners. However, it is important to realize that inflation remains a challenge. In August, inflation was 7.5% year-on-year after 5.4% in July and 4.8% in June. High inflation can significantly reduce the purchasing power of the population,” Urakin emphasized.
Inflation in August was 0.6% compared to July, when the price level remained unchanged. At the same time, the August price increase contrasts with the figures for the same month last year, when there was a 1.4% decline.
Ukraine’s public debt also changed in the second quarter of 2024. The total amount of state and state-guaranteed debt in hryvnia equivalent increased by UAH 243.7 billion, and in dollar equivalent by $1.1 billion. At the same time, the weighted average debt service rate decreased from 6.24% to 5.6% per annum, which indicates an increase in the efficiency of debt management.
“Effective public debt management, including lower interest rates, is an important step for Ukraine’s financial stability. This allows the country to focus on strategic investments in infrastructure and social development,” the expert added.
Global economy
At the global level, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) left unchanged its forecast for global economic growth in 2024 at 3.2%, but improved its expectations for 2025 to 3.3%. The main drivers of global growth remain emerging market countries, including China and India, whose economies are expected to grow by 5% and 7% respectively.
“The global economy continues to move forward, but faces key challenges, including inflation and high interest rates. Interestingly, the IMF has adjusted its expectations for oil prices – they are expected to rise slightly in 2024, but decline in 2025. This underscores the importance of the stability of commodity markets for developing countries,” said Maxim Urakin.
The European economy shows more modest results. According to IMF forecasts, the Eurozone’s GDP will grow by only 0.9% in 2024, while Germany’s economy will grow by only 0.2%.
“Europe is facing many challenges – from the energy crisis to the slowdown in industrial growth. For Ukraine, this is an opportunity to strengthen its position in trade relations with the EU by exporting competitive goods and services,” the expert emphasized.
Conclusion.
The economic indicators of Ukraine and the world in January-August 2024 show mixed results. Steady GDP growth and strengthened reserves are accompanied by inflationary risks and a negative trade balance. The global economy, while moving forward, is being held back by inflation and geopolitical factors.
“It is crucial for Ukraine to focus on creating an attractive investment climate, increasing labor productivity and developing export opportunities. This will be the key to sustainable economic growth and financial stability in the future,” summarized Maksym Urakin.
Maksym Urakin, Head of the Economic Monitoring project, PhD in Economics
More detailed analysis of Ukraine’s economic indicators is available in the monthly information and analytical products of Interfax-Ukraine Economic Monitoring.
