Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers expect the government to facilitate the launch of tools for 2D verification of medicines in Ukraine.
As Petro Bagriy, president of the Association of Ukrainian Drug Manufacturers (AULU), told the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency, this specifically involves facilitating pharmaceutical manufacturers’ access to software that will allow them to verify pharmaceutical products using a 2D code compatible with European systems, as well as the introduction of certain tax incentives for the purchase of the necessary equipment.
Bagriy noted that these issues were discussed during the most recent working meeting of members of the newly established “National Organization for the Verification of Medicines” (NOVLM).
“There is a provision in the new law on medicines stipulating that 2D coding of medicines must be operational in Ukraine by 2028. Such verification is one of the tools for combating counterfeit medicines. Ukraine is integrating into the EU, where this is a mandatory requirement, as only medicines verified by a 2D code are permitted for sale within the EU. Moreover, when exporting their medicines, Ukrainian pharmaceutical manufacturers label their products with 2D codes. But this is expensive; it requires significant investment in equipment and the renovation of packaging facilities,” he said.
The president of the Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Ukraine (AVLU) believes that not only pharmaceutical manufacturers but also distributors, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities that purchase medicines should participate in the launch of the system.
“We want to build a completely transparent system that will fully satisfy all participants, discriminate against no one, and provide equal rights and opportunities. In addition, it is important for the system to be fully integrated into the EU. We are discussing the possibility of engaging a software developer who will support the 2D verification—specifically, the one who developed it for EU countries—so that our product is fully integrated into all EU markets,” he emphasized.
Bagriy noted that, as a result, the QR codes used in Ukraine will be accepted in Europe, which will help promote Ukrainian medicines in European markets and also simplify the circulation of imported medicines in Ukraine.
“For example, ‘Farmaka,’ which will apply its code to its products, will find it easier to sell them in European pharmacies, and ‘Sanofi’ products will be easier to verify in Ukraine,” explained the president of the AULU.
He noted that “there is an initiative to exempt equipment imported for the implementation of the 2D-coding program for medicines from import duties and VAT.”
In addition, Bagriy reported that the Ministry of Health “is helping to negotiate a preferential price for the software in order to facilitate the financing of this project.”
“We have made a request, and the Minister of Health has promised us support so that we can gain access to software that has already been developed in the EU and be able to use it at a discounted price,” he said.
The president of the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies of Ukraine noted that the pilot system is scheduled to launch on January 1, 2027, and the system is expected to be fully operational as of January 1, 2028.
As previously reported, five pharmaceutical industry associations have registered the “National Organization for the Verification of Medicines” (NOVLM) to prevent and combat the circulation of counterfeit medicines in Ukraine in cooperation with European counterparts and the European Organization for the Verification of Medicines.
Initial registrations of new domestically produced passenger car trailers in April–June of this year rose by 35% compared to the first quarter of 2026—to 6,753 units, which is also 6.8% higher than the figure for the first quarter of last year, according to the Automotive Market Research Institute (AMRI).
“The passenger car trailer segment (gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg) is unique to the Ukrainian auto market. It is perhaps the only vehicle sector where imports have completely lost out to local manufacturers, who control 80% of the market, providing private owners, farmers, and small businesses with affordable trailer equipment,” the IDA’s website states.
According to their data, the remaining 20% of the market is divided among domestic resales of used trailers (16.2%), imports of used trailers (3.4%), while the share of new imports amounted to only 0.4%.
“Imports of new trailers are virtually nonexistent, as high logistics costs and customs duties make importing foreign equivalents economically unfeasible given the robust and affordable domestic supply,” experts note.
The most popular models in the second quarter were classic flatbed trailers, trailers for transporting boats and motorboats, platforms (car carriers) for transporting cars, construction materials, and oversized cargo, as well as flatbed-tented trailers and special-purpose trailers for motor vehicles (for ATVs, buggies, and motorcycles).
Trailers with a gross weight of up to 750 kg account for the lion’s share of domestic production (94%).
Experts attribute the popularity of this category to the simplicity of the paperwork (a basic Category B driver’s license is sufficient to tow a trailer), affordability and reliability (they do not require the installation of a complex and expensive braking system), and versatility (they cover 90% of private and small business needs).
In turn, the heavier class (from 750 kg to 3,500 kg), which accounted for 6% of the market, requires an inertia brake and a BE license—these are primarily commercial flatbed trailers for transporting vehicles and heavy specialized equipment.
The leader among Ukrainian manufacturers of passenger car trailers in April–June 2026 is MP “Trailer Plant” (Hlukhiv, Sumy Oblast), with sales of 1,868 thousand units, or more than 27% of the domestic trailer market.
Kyiv-based “NVP-Palych” ranks second with 1,185 thousand units, thanks to its broad model lineup and well-developed sales network.
According to IDA data, third place goes to LLC “Agromotorservice” (Starokostiantyniv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast), known for its “Starkon” models, with 751 trailers.
The top ten also includes manufacturers from Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, Irpin (Kyiv Oblast), Lutsk, and the Vinnytsia and Chernihiv regions.
“The passenger trailer market in the second quarter of 2026 demonstrated complete independence from imports. Ukrainian companies provide consumers with products that are fully adapted to local operating conditions and outperform foreign counterparts in terms of price-to-durability ratio,” the post concludes.
Cyprus’s residential real estate market continued to grow in the first half of 2026 amid steady demand from foreigners, rising construction costs, and active construction in coastal cities.
According to a study by Ask Wire, the average price of an apartment sold in Limassol from January to June was approximately 363,000 euros. In Paphos, this figure was estimated at 262,000 euros; in Nicosia, 183,000 euros; in Larnaca, 171,000 euros; and in the Famagusta area, 150,000 euros.
Data from the Central Bank of Cyprus confirms that the upward trend continues. In the first quarter of 2026, apartment prices rose by 10.8% compared to the same period last year, prices for single-family homes rose by 3%, and the overall residential real estate index rose by 7.5%. The regulator attributes the price increases primarily to sustained demand from foreign buyers, rising construction costs, and the currently limited supply of housing. The report was published on June 23, 2026.
Limassol remains the most expensive market, where a significant portion of the supply consists of luxury coastal complexes, high-rise residential buildings, and properties targeted at international investors. Paphos ranks second in terms of average apartment prices.
Larnaca showed the most notable growth. According to Ask Wire’s estimates, apartment prices in the city rose by nearly 8.9% over the year, and 1,521,000 apartment transactions were recorded in the first half of the year. Demand is driven by prices that are lower than in Limassol, the development of urban infrastructure, proximity to the airport, and foreign buyers’ interest in new seaside properties.
In the first quarter of 2026, foreign buyers accounted for approximately 43.4% of all registered real estate purchase agreements in Cyprus, compared to 40.1% for the full year of 2025. Buyers from countries outside the EU accounted for 29.1% of the market. Official statistics from the Cyprus Land Department are published with a breakdown by EU and third-country buyers but do not include a complete, up-to-date ranking by nationality.
Who Is Buying Real Estate in Cyprus
The main foreign buyer groups include citizens of the United Kingdom, Russia, Israel, Lebanon, and Greece; however, their presence varies significantly by region.
In Paphos, demand from British, Russian, and Israeli buyers is particularly noticeable. At certain times, foreign buyers account for up to three-quarters of local transactions. British buyers tend to purchase properties for relocation, vacation, or long-term residence, while Russian and Israeli demand is largely linked to the relocation of capital, businesses, and families.
Larnaca primarily attracts buyers from Israel and Lebanon. For them, the city is appealing due to its transportation accessibility, relatively low entry barrier, and geographical proximity to the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean.
In Limassol, citizens of Russia, Israel, and Greece remain among the most prominent foreign buyers. Nicosia relies more heavily on domestic demand, while Greeks, Britons, and Australians stand out among foreign buyers there. In the Famagusta region, buyers from the United Kingdom, Greece, and Lebanon play a significant role.
Chinese investors, who were actively present in the Cypriot market from 2020 to 2024, have become less prominent in recent regional rankings. However, official statistics may underestimate the share of foreign capital, as purchases made through companies registered in Cyprus or other EU countries may be counted as domestic transactions.
The market is also being supported by the recovery of mortgage lending: the volume of mortgage loans issued rose by 24.5%, while the average interest rate fell to approximately 3.15%. New, energy-efficient one- and two-bedroom apartments located near the coast are in the highest demand.
Ask Wire expects that by the end of 2026, real estate prices in Cyprus will rise by an additional 3–5% on average, and prices for new energy-efficient apartments will increase by 4–6%. Larnaca is likely to continue growing faster than the national average. The main limiting factors will remain the declining affordability of housing for local residents, a shortage of new supply, and geopolitical uncertainty in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to Apostrophe, political and media circles in Kyiv are discussing the possible appointment of Brigadier General Dmytro Usov as head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.
There is currently no official confirmation of this information, and other potential candidates mentioned include Kyrylo Fesyk, head of the Obolon District, and the head of the Desnianskyi District.
Usov is a brigadier general and secretary of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War; he has also served in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
As the publication notes, supporters of this personnel change say that his experience in law enforcement agencies and his military background would strengthen the security component of the capital’s administration, where civil defense and crisis response are critically important.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to replace the leadership of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA). Timur Tkachenko is stepping down after a year and a half in office.
Oleksiy Goncharenko, a member of parliament from the “Eurosolidarity” party, stated that Tkachenko may take over as head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, replacing Mykola Kalashnyk, who was appointed Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport of Ukraine.
On July 21, Andriy Tkachov, first deputy head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, temporarily assumed the duties of KMVA head.
On July 22, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of the former head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA), Timur Tkachenko, to the position of head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration (RSA).
Appointment, KCMA, KYIV, генерал, Усов
The question “How long does it take to improve my English for work?” almost always sounds as if there’s a single correct answer out there. Three months, half a year, a year. All you have to do is name a timeframe, and the plan is ready.
In reality, you’ll first have to answer a less convenient question: what exactly does “for work” mean in your case?
An accountant who reads emails from headquarters needs one set of skills. A sales manager who negotiates with new clients needs another. A developer might be able to confidently read documentation at the B1 level but get lost during a short stand-up meeting. A manager with a formal B2 level can deliver a prepared presentation just fine but may struggle to engage in discussions afterward.
That’s why a working level isn’t defined by a fancy letter on a certificate, but by what a person can actually do in English without constant assistance.
It’s no coincidence that B2 is often used as a benchmark for international work. According to the CEFR description, a person at this level understands the main ideas of complex texts, can discuss topics within their field of expertise, explain their views, and communicate with sufficient spontaneity.
This is a good general benchmark, but not a universal pass to any professional situation.
For work involving predictable writing tasks, a strong B1 level is sometimes sufficient. For negotiations, public speaking, legally sensitive conversations, or managing an international team, you may need B2+ or C1. Furthermore, a general proficiency level does not indicate how well a person masters the language specific to their profession.
Therefore, the goal of “achieving B2” is useful only when accompanied by a list of specific actions. For example: participating in meetings, explaining delays, writing to clients, conducting demos, and answering questions without a prepared script.
Cambridge English provides a rough guideline: moving from one CEFR level to the next often requires about 200 hours of guided learning. This is not a law of nature, nor is it a guarantee. The pace depends on your starting level, prior experience, intensity, regularity, age, the quality of your practice, and your exposure to the language outside of class.
It’s especially important to understand the word “hours” correctly.
This guideline applies to lessons and guided study. It does not mean 200 hours of passively watching videos. Independent practice outside of class—reading, listening, writing, and using the language in real-life situations—also affects progress, but Cambridge considers these as contributing factors rather than a guaranteed component of each of those 200 hours. If a person attends class twice a week but hardly uses English between sessions, the journey will take longer.
Even the math here is a bit tricky.
Two hours of classes per week add up to about 100 hours per year, not counting vacations and absences. Additional regular practice can significantly speed up progress. On the other hand, long breaks force you to spend part of your time revisiting material you were once familiar with.
For someone with a solid B1 level who needs a general B2, it’s often worth planning not just a few weeks, but many months of consistent work. If the starting point is A2, the path is longer, since you’ll need to complete at least two major stages.
But there’s an important caveat here. You can reach a functional proficiency level sooner than you can achieve full proficiency across all skills.
Let’s say a professional has a B1 level and needs to start participating in weekly meetings within two months. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to fully transition to B2 within that timeframe. However, they can practice the structure of a short report, clarifications, follow-up questions, explaining roadblocks, and summarizing agreements. The person hasn’t yet mastered the entire next level, but is already better at performing specific work tasks.
This isn’t a workaround. It’s simply that overall proficiency and readiness for a specific scenario measure different things.
A company decides to “bring the department up to B2 in six months” and forms a single group. After testing, it turns out that some employees are at A2, some at B1, and two are already performing at nearly B2. Everyone receives the same schedule and program, even though their distance from the goal varies.
After a few months, the stronger employees get bored, the weaker ones progress too quickly, and management sees the uneven results and concludes that the training is ineffective.
The problem arose even before the first session. The deadline was set before the starting level and job requirements were determined.
A proper plan starts with an assessment. Then employees are grouped by similar skill levels, the tasks for each role are clarified, and only then is the schedule drawn up. Sometimes a company truly needs B2 for everyone. More often, however, the sales department needs negotiation skills, the technical team needs precise explanations, and managers need to work on handling objections and giving presentations.
Consistency is almost always more important than rare bursts of motivation. Three hours every two weeks looks impressive on the calendar, but has a weaker effect than shorter practice sessions several times a week.
A clear connection to real life also helps. When someone practices a phrase today and uses it in a meeting tomorrow, the material sticks better than a topic that might be useful at some unspecified point in the future.
Most often, time is wasted due to three things: an irregular schedule, studying without a clear goal, and attempting to complete a program that doesn’t match your current level.
Before counting the months, it’s worth figuring out your English levels, determining your starting point, and describing the situations for which you need the language.
After that, your forecast becomes much more realistic. Not “fluent English in three months,” but, for example, “in three months, learn to handle a brief professional call, and over the course of a year, systematically progress from B1 to B2.”
Such a plan sounds more modest than an advertising promise. But you can actually stick to it, rather than just getting carried away on the day you pay.
According to the “Serbian Economist,” Serbia’s lack of progress in its EU accession negotiations could create additional challenges for Ukraine and Moldova, as some EU countries are insisting on maintaining a geographical balance between candidates from Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
Euronews reports this, citing EU diplomats.
Ukraine has opened two of the six negotiation clusters in recent weeks, but further acceleration of the process may face demands to simultaneously advance Serbia’s application.
“Progress in one direction creates pressure to move forward in the other as well,” one European diplomat told Euronews.
In early July, the European Commission once again recommended opening Cluster 3—dedicated to competitiveness and inclusive growth—for Serbia. Negotiations regarding Serbia have effectively remained stalled since December 2021.
However, eight EU member states opposed opening the chapter: the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Croatia. Denmark, Luxembourg, and Latvia are also not yet ready to support this decision. The consent of all 27 EU member states is required to open a negotiation chapter.
Opponents of Serbia’s advancement point to Belgrade’s insufficient progress in the areas of the rule of law, judicial independence, and democratic standards. Another reason is Serbia’s refusal to join the EU’s sanctions against Russia.
The European Commission, on the other hand, believes that Belgrade has implemented some of the recommendations, repealed controversial changes to judicial legislation, improved cooperation with the EU on foreign policy, and strengthened ties with Ukraine. At the same time, Brussels acknowledges that Serbia needs to continue reforming its judicial and prosecutorial systems.
France, Spain, and a group of countries calling themselves the “Friends of the Western Balkans” advocate for preserving Serbia’s membership prospects. They fear that Ukraine’s rapid progress against the backdrop of Belgrade’s prolonged stagnation will be perceived as the application of double standards.
Euronews emphasizes that the negotiation processes for Ukraine and Serbia have not yet been formally merged. However, as Kyiv and Chisinau push to open the remaining clusters by the end of the year, demands for equal treatment of the candidate countries may intensify.
