As of February 21, Ukraine exported 28.219 mln tonnes of grains and pulses since the beginning of 2024-2025 marketing year, of which 2.528 mln tonnes were shipped this month, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reported citing the State Customs Service.
According to the report, as of the same date last year, the total shipments amounted to 27.627 mln tons, including 3.751 mln tons in February.
In terms of crops, since the beginning of the current season, Ukraine has exported 11.714 mln tonnes of wheat (910 thsd tonnes in February), 2.113 mln tonnes of barley (49 thsd tonnes), 10.8 thsd tonnes of rye (0), and 13.954 mln tonnes of corn (1.561 mln tonnes).
The total export of Ukrainian flour since the beginning of the season as of February 21 is estimated at 46.4 thsd tonnes (2.9 thsd tonnes in February), including wheat – 42.9 thsd tonnes (2.8 thsd tonnes).
In January 2025, imports of tin and tin products decreased by 11.5% compared to January 2024, to $230 thousand. In December 2024, this figure was $338 thousand.
Tin is used mainly as a safe, non-toxic, corrosion-resistant coating in its pure form or in alloys with other metals. The main industrial applications of tin are in white tinplate (tinned iron) for food containers, in solders for electronics, in house pipelines, in bearing alloys, and in coatings made of tin and its alloys. The most important tin alloy is bronze (with copper).
Polling stations have opened in Germany for the early Bundestag elections. They will be open until 18.00 on Sunday. A total of 29 political parties are running in the election.
Since 08:00 on Sunday, February 23, polling stations have opened throughout Germany for voting in the early Bundestag elections. They will be open until 18.00.
There are about 59.2 million voters in the country. Of these, 24.9 million (42%) are over 60 years old. About 2.3 million voters (3.9%) are young people who have reached the age of 18 and are eligible to vote in federal elections for the first time.
About 200,000 more German citizens registered to vote abroad. Their total number is estimated at about 3-4 million. The reason for the low turnout among them is bureaucratic difficulties and the need to send a ballot to their home country by mail.
A total of 29 political parties are running in the elections. In all 16 federal states, 10 of them will run: The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Union 90/Greens, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Left Party, the Sarah Wagenknecht Union (SZV), the Free Voters, Volt, the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany, and the Alliance Germany. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is running in 15 states, except Bavaria. Its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), is running there.
Pre-election polls promised the greatest support for the conservative CDU/CSU bloc. It was followed by the far-right AfD. Then came the center-left SPD and the left-liberal Greens. The rating of the Left Party, the left-wing populist FDP and the liberal FDP hovered around the 5% required to enter the Bundestag. According to sociologists, about 20% of voters were undecided about whom to vote for and whether to go to the polls at all.
The Experts Club and Active Group have previously released a video analysis of the most important elections in the world in 2025 https://youtu.be/u1NMbFCCRx0?si=-rc6YHH7EA1pnr7w
Source: https://amp.dw.com/ru/v-germanii-nacalos-golosovanie-na-vyborah-v-bundestag/a-71717875
Population forecast for Ukraine in 2030-2100
Source: Open4Business.com.ua
The world is entering a phase of political change in 2025. Important elections will take place in different countries, the results of which can significantly affect both geopolitics and internal processes of states. In a new YouTube video, Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club think tank, and Oleksandr Poznyi, co-founder of the Active Group research company, analyze the main political events of the year and the possible consequences for Ukraine.
After the scandalous cancellation of the presidential election results, a second vote is scheduled for December 2024 in Romania. The election brought unexpected results, and the winner of the first round campaigned exclusively on TikTok. This sparked discussions around the world, as it was the first time a social network played a key role in the political process. However, the country’s Constitutional Court canceled the election results due to the detected Russian influence, and a new vote is scheduled for May 2025.
“The situation in Romania is unprecedented, as the Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of elections. This may cause political turbulence, which will affect the country’s foreign policy,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.
In his turn, Oleksandr Poznyi emphasized that this case proves that influence technologies are changing, and social networks such as TikTok can become a key tool for voter mobilization.
“This is a dangerous signal for Ukraine as well, because we see that political forces are beginning to use this platform as a way to manipulate public opinion,” added Pozniy.
On February 23, early elections to the Bundestag will be held after the coalition collapse in 2024. The main struggle will be between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), but the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has anti-immigration and pro-Russian rhetoric, may also play an important role.
“The struggle between the CDU and the SPD will be intense. If the AfD gets second or even first place, it could change Germany’s policy towards Ukraine. So far, the mainstream parties are not ready to form a coalition with them, but their influence is growing,” Maksym Urakin believes.
The parliamentary elections in Moldova will also determine the country’s foreign policy course.
“Moldova is facing a choice between the European path and the pro-Russian vector. This choice will have a significant impact on regional policy. The elections will decide whether the country will continue its European course under the leadership of President Maia Sandu or whether the Socialists, represented by Igor Dodon, will be able to regain power,” said Poznyi.
He also emphasized that Moldova is a parliamentary republic, and even if Sandu wins the presidential election, it does not guarantee that her political force will retain a majority.
On May 18, Poles will elect a new president, as Andrzej Duda cannot run for a third time. Experts believe that this is one of the most important elections for Ukraine, as Polish support is strategic. The tense confrontation between Law and Justice and the opposition will determine the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations. The Ukrainian issue will play an important role, but voters are more focused on domestic issues, such as the situation with Polish farmers who are unhappy with Ukrainian grain imports.
“Candidates will have to maneuver between supporting Ukraine and protecting national interests,” says Mr. Poznyi.
Serbia is one of the few countries in Europe that continues to balance between the EU and Russia. President Aleksandar Vucic has twice hinted at the possibility of early elections in 2025, especially amid protests and the escalating situation in Kosovo.
In October, elections will also be held in Canada and Argentina, which could change the foreign policy courses of these countries. On September 8, Norway will vote, and on November 16, Chile will vote.
“The elections in Canada are important for Ukraine, as further assistance will depend on them. It is also worth following the processes in Norway, which supports European security,” summarizes Maksym Urakin.
The year 2025 promises to be full of important political events that could change the international agenda. Ukraine must take into account the possible consequences of elections in strategic countries and prepare for new challenges on the global stage.
For more details about the elections to be held this year, please watch the video:
Subscribe to the Experts Club channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub
PJSC “European Insurance Alliance” has renewed the reinsurance program for 2025, the main partner of which remained Hannover Re (Hannover Ruck SE, Germany) – one of the leading global reinsurers, which has a high international reliability rating A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best.
According to the press-release of the insurer, the combined obligatory reinsurance contract is prolonged on terms of risk excedent of loss. It covers all losses under contracts of insurance or facultative reinsurance of property, engineering risks, cargo risks, liability risks and hull insurance.
The program covers both commercial and private insurance objects in accordance with the general terms and conditions of insurance products and original insurance contracts.
Risks that are not covered by the aforementioned obligatory contract are reinsured on a facultative basis.
“The prolongation of the obligatory program with a reputable European reinsurer is a step towards further strengthening our position in the market. Long-term and fruitful cooperation with Hannover Re is a sign of stability and mutual trust”, – said Marina Voronyanskaya, Chairman of the Board of IC ‘European Insurance Alliance’.
PJSC “European Insurance Alliance” has been working in the insurance market of Ukraine since 1994, is a member of the Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine, League of Insurance Organizations of Ukraine and Nuclear Insurance Pool of Ukraine.
The company has the NBU License for 16 classes of insurance, in particular, property insurance, land transport, liability, health insurance, etc.
