The majority of German citizens oppose providing Ukrainian refugees with universal social assistance (Bürgergeld), according to the results of a survey conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (INSA) on behalf of Bild.
According to the published data, 66% of Germans surveyed do not believe that all Ukrainian refugees should receive full social assistance, while 17% supported this idea.
In addition, 62% of respondents said that men of conscription age from Ukraine should return home, 18% opposed this, and another 8% said they did not care.
According to the publication, approximately 700,000 Ukrainians living in Germany receive a total of around €6.3 billion in social assistance each year, and only one in three of them has a job.
Against this backdrop, political debates continue in Germany about the appropriateness of payments to newly arrived refugees. In the draft federal budget for 2026, the government plans to save about €1.5 billion, partly by changing the approach to payments for Ukrainians: instead of Bürgergeld, smaller benefits are planned for asylum seekers.
Experts note that this issue is becoming one of the key items on Germany’s political agenda: it concerns both social justice and the country’s immigration policy. The discussion about the role of Ukrainian refugees in German society reflects deeper sentiments about demographic challenges, integration, and support for European solidarity during wartime.
Source: http://relocation.com.ua/germans-oppose-payments-to-ukrainian-refugees-survey-shows/
A report by Microsoft showed that in the first half of 2025, Ukraine ranked fifth in the world and third in Europe among the countries that were most often targeted by cyber activity. In particular, almost one in ten victims in Europe were from Ukraine (9.5%).
“Despite enormous challenges, Ukraine is rapidly transforming and becoming a leader in cybersecurity. By accelerating the adoption of cloud technologies, applying AI to protect critical infrastructure, and stimulating innovation, the country is building digital resilience,” said Renate Strazdin, Microsoft’s technology director for the Northern Europe Multi-country Cluster (NTO Europe North Multi-country Cluster).
The report notes that more than 52% of cyberattacks with known motives are due to extortion and ransomware, while cyber espionage accounts for only 4%. In 80% of cases, the attackers’ goal is to steal data, which underscores the global nature of this threat.
The company notes that every day it processes more than 100 trillion security system signals, blocks approximately 4.5 million new attempts by malicious software to attack, analyzes 38 million cases of risk detection for user accounts, and scans 5 billion emails for malware and phishing threats.
Microsoft noted in the report that hospitals, schools, and local governments are increasingly becoming targets of cyberattacks due to their storage of confidential data and limited resources for cyber defense. This leads to delays in medical care, interruptions in the educational process, and shutdowns of transportation systems.
The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025 also adds that outdated security measures are ineffective today. Therefore, the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), which is particularly resistant to phishing, can prevent more than 99% of attacks involving credential theft.
The report separately notes that the threat from state actors remains. In particular, Russia is expanding its attacks beyond Ukraine, for example, to small businesses in NATO countries, using them as entry points into larger organizations. China is expanding its attacks on various industries and non-governmental organizations, using vulnerable devices for covert access.
Microsoft added that Iran is attacking logistics companies in Europe and the Persian Gulf, likely in preparation for disrupting commercial shipping, while North Korea is focusing on financial gain and espionage, in particular by employing IT specialists abroad who transfer their earnings to the regime.
The report notes that artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the development of threats. For example, cybercriminals use AI to automate phishing and create artificially generated content. Cybersecurity specialists, on the other hand, use it to better identify threats and improve user security.
Sens Bank plans to significantly increase its SME loan portfolio in 2026, focusing on companies with a turnover of up to UAH 1 billion, said Yana Shumunova, director of the bank’s SME department, in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
“Today, the SME loan portfolio amounts to about UAH 3.2 billion, and liabilities are about UAH 20 billion. We plan to expand service limits to UAH 1 billion in turnover per client and increase the share of credit operations,” she said.
According to Shumunova, a significant portion of the bank’s clients work in the fields of trade, services, processing, agriculture, and logistics.
SENS Bank is a Ukrainian universal bank, formerly known as Alfa-Bank Ukraine. After nationalization in 2022, the bank has been actively developing digital services, corporate lending, and small business support. The bank’s network includes more than 200 branches, with assets exceeding UAH 100 billion.
KAN Development invested $120 million in education and the construction of educational institutions during the war, according to company founder Igor Nikonov.
“At KAN Development, we believe in the future and are building it today. We are creating self-sufficient ecosystems with everything you need: work, education, sports, medicine, security. During the war, we invested $120 million in education for children and are building schools of a new level,” Nikonov said on his Facebook page following his participation in the Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF).
As reported, KAN Development is investing $80 million in the construction of a school in the Respublika residential complex and a school on McCain Street in Kyiv. In total, the educational institutions are designed for 2,000 students.
In September 2024, the A+ architectural and engineering college also opened in the Faina Town residential district in the capital. It became the 15th educational institution in the A+ network.
KAN Development was founded in 2001. The company’s portfolio includes Ocean Plaza, Respublika Park, Tetris Hall, Central Park, Comfort Town, Faina Town, Respublika, IQ Business Center, and 101 Tower. In more than 20 years of operation, KAN Development has created over 3 million square meters of residential, retail, and commercial real estate. The company is also actively developing its own network of A+ educational institutions.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) remain the foundation of post-war economic recovery, and this segment will be the focus for Sens Bank in 2025–2026, said Yana Shumunova, director of the SME department, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
“We are seeing growth in demand for loans to restore logistics, purchase equipment, and implement energy-efficient solutions. This is the foundation for the return of Ukrainian business to sustainable growth,” she said.
The bank is also strengthening its cooperation with the EBRD and international funds to expand SME lending programs.
Sens Bank is a Ukrainian universal bank specializing in the corporate and retail segments. After coming under state control, the bank is transforming its business model, focusing on technology, transparency, and support for SMEs.
On October 16, the 11th Kyiv International Economic Forum took place in Kyiv. The theme of this year’s Forum was “Ukraine 2.0: The Power of People.” The event brought together over 1,000 participants, including representatives of the government, diplomatic corps and embassies, international organizations, business leaders and top managers of leading companies, entrepreneurs, investors, representatives of the public sector, and experts.
Discussions at the Forum took place within the framework of 15 discussion panels, in which more than 100 speakers from Ukraine and around the world took part. The focus was on economic development in the context of protracted war and global change: how to maintain macroeconomic stability and competitiveness, attract investment and integrate into global chains, develop industry and technology, and strengthen energy security. Special attention was paid to the role of people in the transformation of the country—their leadership, entrepreneurship, and ability to make decisions that determine the direction of economic change.
The forum was opened by the Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, Oleksiy Sobolev, who recorded a video message to the forum participants.
“The war has forced about 10 million Ukrainians to leave their homes. Direct losses amount to $176 billion, and economic losses to $589 billion. Despite these challenges, we see that the economy is growing. Our businesses have survived, adapted, and continue to develop. They continue to operate even during blackouts and with disrupted logistics. It is this flexibility and creativity that is our key competitive advantage,” said Oleksiy Sobolev.
The minister added that the state is working to create favorable conditions for business development—providing access to financing through EU and international bank programs, supporting industry and processing, developing industrial parks, stimulating investment in strategic sectors, reducing risks for investors, and continuing deregulation.
“People are at the center of all changes. This year’s Forum confirmed the great potential of Ukrainians. Despite the fact that we have been living in a state of total crisis for almost four years, we remain in the country, invest in the economy, and take responsibility. The country we will live in tomorrow depends solely on joint action and trust between business, the state, and society. The most important thing is to create opportunities for people to plan their future and live with dignity here in Ukraine,” emphasized Vasyl Khmelnytsky, initiator of the forum and founder of the UFuture holding.
The forum showed that Ukrainian business has not only adapted to the conditions of war, but is also actively shaping a new economy through innovation, education, and human development. Companies are investing in training programs, supporting universities, and creating their own educational initiatives and technology projects aimed at training the specialists of the future. Participants emphasized that partnership between the state and business, deregulation, digital solutions, and trust are the basis for attracting investment and sustainable economic recovery in the country.
Summing up the Forum, KMEF CEO Yuriy Pyvovarov noted that one of the key issues in the discussions was security, as it is unknown when the war will end, and that is why the issue of economic stability comes to the fore.
“Ukraine 2.0 is not about returning to the past, but about building a new country: with an innovative economy, a capable security and defense system, partnerships between business and the state, and education that prepares the specialists needed for economic development. We can already see these changes happening—in government decisions, in business actions, in the willingness to take responsibility. The future should not be waited for—it must be created, and that is what Ukrainians are doing today,” said Yuriy Pyvovarov.
Traditionally, the Kyiv International Economic Forum brings the business community together around important social initiatives.
This year, KIEF raised UAH 3 million, which will be donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Soborna Ukraine charity fund, which helps the families of fallen soldiers.
Title partners: Mastercard, AEQUO, UFuture, Work.ua.
Partners: Sense Bank, EFI Group, umgi, MHP, FUIB, DTEK, PrivatBank, NEQSOL Holding, Biopharma, Kyivstar, INTERPIPE, Biosphere Corporation, Ajax Systems, CEO Club Ukraine, OKKO, Done, Metinvest, Balex, GORO Development.
Program partner: ACC (American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine).
Business expert: Forbes Ukraine.
Title media partners: 1+1 media, Starlight Media.
Media partners: Kyiv Post, LIGA.net, The Kyiv Independent, FOCUS, Tvoe Misto, RBC-Ukraine, Mind.ua, Delo.ua, UkrInvestClub, Interfax-Ukraine, TAVR Media, Huxley, finance.ua, Minfin.
Interfax-Ukraine – information partner
