Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed two decrees enacting decisions by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to align sanctions with those of the European Union, according to the president’s press service.
“The synchronization of EU sanctions under the 20th package covers 120 individuals and organizations and imposes economic sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy. Some of them are already subject to Ukrainian sanctions. Today’s decision applies to an additional 16 Russian citizens and 31 companies from Russia, Belarus, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine,” the statement reads.
Among the individuals are heads of Russian strategic enterprises, state-funded institutions, units of the Russian army, and entities serving Russia in our temporarily occupied territories.
The list also includes Russian defense industry enterprises, manufacturers of electronic warfare equipment, software, and drone components, as well as companies involved in oil, gas, and gold extraction. In particular, restrictions have been imposed on the Russian manufacturer of aerospace products and drone components, LLC
“Atlant Aero,” as well as on the Russian manufacturer of communication systems and components for UAVs and missiles, LLC “Irz-Zvyazok.”
Sanctions have been imposed on companies from the UAE that sell machine tools and laboratory equipment, chemical products, and spare parts for commercial aircraft, as well as on an oil exporter in Belarus.
Ukraine has also imposed restrictive measures on three Russians: Prosecutor Lyudmila Balandina, who was involved in systematic repression and human rights violations against individuals who supported Ukraine or criticized the Russian government; Judge Dmitry Gordeev, also implicated in repression, who issued politically motivated rulings against opposition figures and human rights defenders; and Russian editor and propagandist Maria Sittel, who systematically disseminated disinformation.
Sanctions have also been imposed on 19 Iranian citizens, 7 Sudanese citizens, and 11 Iranian companies involved in Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs.
“We continue to coordinate sanctions regimes with the EU and our partners. We expect further pressure on Russia and all those who help it sustain its aggression. We are already finalizing joint work on draft EU and partner-state sanctions decisions, including the 21st sanctions package,” noted Vladyslav Vlasyuk, the President’s Advisor and Representative on Sanctions Policy.
The Ukrainian grocery chain Best Market is opening its first store in Prague, continuing its expansion into the European market following the chain’s growth in Poland, according to Czechia Online.
The grand opening of the store is scheduled for June 6. Best Market’s first store in the Czech Republic will be located in Prague 4 on Budějovická Street. According to the publication, the chain is focusing on traditional Ukrainian and Eastern European products: meat products, specialty sausages, smoked and dried fish, pickles, dairy products, and sweets.
Best Market began operations in 2019 with a single store in Kraków, Poland. Over the past few years, the chain has grown to three dozen stores in Poland, targeting both Ukrainian immigrants and local shoppers interested in Eastern European cuisine.
The expansion into the Czech Republic reflects a broader trend in the development of Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses in Central European countries. After the outbreak of full-scale war, a significant number of Ukrainian entrepreneurs began developing services, retail projects, cafes, stores, and logistics solutions in countries with large Ukrainian communities, primarily in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia.
The Czech Republic has become one of the largest centers of Ukrainian migration within the EU. This creates steady demand for familiar food products, culinary concepts, and services tailored to Ukrainians. At the same time, such stores are gradually expanding beyond an exclusively immigrant audience: Eastern European products are becoming appealing to local shoppers as well, especially in major cities.
For Prague, the opening of Best Market means increased competition in the niche of specialty food retail. International and ethnic stores are already operating in the Czech capital, but Ukrainian chains can compete thanks to their recognizable product range, direct work with suppliers, ready-to-eat products, and focus on shoppers seeking regional flavors.
On opening day, the store management plans to host tastings, children’s activities, and meetings with special guests. The first customers are promised gifts, which should help the chain draw attention to the new format in the competitive Prague market.
The development of such projects shows that Ukrainian business in Europe is gradually shifting from adaptation to scaling up. For retailers working with Ukrainian and Eastern European products, the key markets remain countries with a large Ukrainian diaspora, developed logistics, and high demand for a specialized product range.
Best Market is a Ukrainian grocery chain that began operations in Poland in 2019.
According to Serbian Economist, Montenegro is drafting new regulations for home producers of rakija and other spirits as part of its efforts to align its legislation with EU requirements. Even small producers who make the beverage solely for their own consumption will be required to register with the Customs Service and declare their distillation equipment.
The regulations are contained in a draft of the new law. The law is set to take effect after Montenegro joins the European Union.
According to the draft, an individual will be able to produce up to 50 liters of strong fruit-based alcoholic beverage per year per household without paying excise tax. However, such a beverage may only be used for personal consumption, family members, and guests. The sale of homemade rakija under this regime will be prohibited.
A producer planning to produce more than 50 liters per year or sell the beverage will be required to register as a small distillery and pay excise tax. For strong alcoholic beverages, the rate remains at 1,250 euros per hectoliter of pure alcohol. This corresponds to €12.50 per liter of pure alcohol, and for rakia with an alcohol content of about 50%, approximately €6.25 per liter of finished beverage.
The draft also provides for the status of a small distillery. Such a distillery will be able to produce up to 1,500 liters of pure alcohol per year, which is equivalent to approximately 3,000 liters of 50% rakia. A preferential rate—50% of the standard excise tax on spirits—will apply to such producers.
The new rules significantly tighten control over home production. A small producer will be required to submit an application to the local Customs Service office at their place of residence no later than eight days before production begins. The application must specify the capacity of the still and the production location.
If a producer exceeds the 50-liter limit without notifying customs or begins selling the beverage without registration and excise accounting, the entire batch produced will be considered illegal. In this case, the customs authority may assess excise tax on the entire volume, not just the excess over the limit.
Several types of penalties are provided for violations. First, monetary fines for failure to register, failure to submit a notification, exceeding the permitted volume, and selling without excise clearance. The published materials do not provide an exact scale of fines in euros, but indicate that the new law specifically establishes such penalties.
Second, the violator may be charged unpaid excise tax on the entire volume of alcohol produced. Interest will also be charged on the amount of unpaid excise tax.
Third, the Customs Service will be able to seize illegally produced alcohol and decide whether to sell or destroy it. This measure will apply in cases where production is deemed illegal due to exceeding the limit, failure to report, or selling without registration.
Fourth, customs will be able to seal or confiscate equipment used for the production of strong alcoholic beverages. This measure applies if the distillation apparatus is unregistered or is used to produce more than the permitted volume and to sell without excise accounting.
For Montenegro, this issue has not only fiscal but also social significance. Home production of rakija is a widespread tradition in the country’s rural areas and throughout the Balkans. Therefore, the new rules may cause discontent among some households that are accustomed to producing the beverage for personal consumption without a complicated registration process.
The authorities, in turn, aim to make the market more transparent, curb the illegal sale of strong alcohol, and bring the excise system into line with European standards.
https://t.me/relocationrs/2919
Moving abroad often feels like a fresh start. A new city. New rules. A new life. And a new English—the very same one you once learned for work, travel, or “for the future.”
But for many adult Ukrainians, the reality turns out to be different.
After a few months or years of living abroad, a person suddenly notices a strange feeling:
— English seems to have gotten simpler; — words come to mind more slowly; — you want to speak briefly; — small talk is exhausting; — you get a headache after phone calls; — and the phrase “I’m fine” is used more often than your own name.
And the most unpleasant part is that a thought creeps in:
“Maybe my English has gotten worse?”
In reality, very often the problem isn’t a lack of knowledge.
It’s “tired English.”
A state where a person knows the language, but their brain no longer has the energy to sound effortless, emotional, and natural.
“Tired English” isn’t an official linguistic term. But many Ukrainians abroad recognize this state very well.
It’s when your speech switches to “survival mode.”
You no longer try to sound interesting. You don’t choose elegant phrasing. You don’t joke. You don’t experiment.
You just want:
— to be understood; — for the conversation to end quickly; — to avoid having to ask people to repeat themselves; — to have enough energy to last another day.
And this is very noticeable in your speech.
It usually sounds:
— short; — dry; — overly cautious; — emotionally flat; — too formal or, conversely, too simplistic.
You start using the same words over and over.
For example:
— good — nice — okay — sorry — maybe — fine — thank you
Even if they actually know much more.
Instead of:
“Hi! I think there’s a small issue with the receipt — could we quickly check it together?”
the person says:
“Sorry… problem… receipt.”
Formally, the meaning is clear. But you can hear the fatigue.
Instead of:
“I’ve almost finished this task, I just need a bit more time to double-check everything.”
the person says:
“Not finished yet.”
Instead of a lively reaction:
“That actually makes a lot of sense.”
what you hear is:
“Okay.”
And the problem isn’t vocabulary.
The problem is that the brain is conserving energy.
Living in another language is a huge strain on the nervous system.
Especially for adults.
A child can adapt more quickly to a new linguistic reality. An adult, on the other hand:
— works; — handles paperwork; — rents an apartment; — worries about money; — reads letters; — communicates with doctors; — thinks about family; — frets over the news; — tries not to get lost in a new country.
And all of this—in a language that isn’t their native tongue.
Even if a person already knows English well, the brain often continues to work in two languages simultaneously.
You hear English. Then you mentally check the meaning. Then you formulate a response. Then you check the grammar. Then you worry about your accent.
And so on—dozens of times a day.
After a few months or years, this starts to wear you down.
Especially when English stops being an “interesting language for personal growth” and becomes a tool for survival.
Many Ukrainians now exist in a constant state of language switching.
At home—Ukrainian. At work—English. News—in Ukrainian. Documents—in English. A call to Mom—in Ukrainian. A conversation with a bank manager—in English.
The brain hardly gets any rest.
Sometimes even a simple everyday conversation starts to feel like a mini-exam.
Especially when a person is tired.
That’s why Ukrainians abroad may sound quieter, simpler, or less emotional—not because of “poor English,” but because of nervous system overload.
Here are a few very typical symptoms.
You have more complex thoughts in your head. But what comes out is:
“Yes.” “No.” “Maybe.” “It’s okay.”
Humor requires energy.
When a person is exhausted, the brain switches to the safest possible communication mode.
Messages are still tolerable.
But live conversations cause stress. Especially if you have to react quickly.
Sometimes you literally have a headache.
This is real cognitive fatigue.
There used to be TV shows, YouTube, or podcasts.
Now, after work, you just want silence.
And you stop thinking about naturalness, emotions, or your own style.
If you recognized yourself in at least half of these points—it doesn’t mean your English has “gotten worse.” Often, it’s just a sign that your brain is overloaded and needs gentler practice and support. Sometimes even a few weeks in a space where it’s okay to speak slowly is enough.
This is a very common situation.
Many people think:
“I’m already living abroad. Why hasn’t the language barrier disappeared yet?”
Because adaptation isn’t just about vocabulary.
When a person lives under stress for a long time, the brain starts to avoid unnecessary strain.
And speaking English in real-life conversations is a major strain.
You have to:
— listen; — react quickly; — control yourself; — notice the other person’s reaction; — construct sentences; — not get lost; — not sound “strange.”
That’s why the fear of speaking English is often linked not to grammar, but to mental exhaustion.
One of the main signs of “tired English” is that speech becomes overly functional.
For example:
Instead of:
“Hope your week is going well!”
the person writes:
“Hello. I have a question.”
Instead of:
“I moved here recently, so I’m still figuring everything out.”
the person says:
“I’m from Ukraine.”
And falls silent.
Instead of:
“Could you give me a minute? I’m still waking up.”
it sounds like:
“Sorry. One minute.”
The person seems to stop “living” the language. They’re simply fulfilling communication tasks.
This is very important to understand.
After moving, many people temporarily simplify their language.
Especially during periods of:
— adaptation; — emotional exhaustion; — heavy workload; — instability; — anxiety; — loneliness.
And that’s normal.
The brain isn’t “breaking down.” It’s trying to survive.
That’s why English for adults often doesn’t require strict discipline, but rather a safe environment where you can once again feel at ease speaking.
Many people make the same mistake at this point:
they start putting even more pressure on themselves.
New words. New textbooks. Even more grammar. Even more “musts.”
But the problem is often not a lack of knowledge.
The problem is burnout.
It’s better to bring life back to words you already know.
For example, instead of the dry:
“I’m busy.”
say:
“It’s been a long day.”
It’s simpler, but it sounds warmer.
Try saying these more often:
— what a relief — that was fun — I needed this — I’m exhausted today — that actually made me laugh
Even small emotional phrases make English more lively.
It doesn’t have to be complex TED Talks.
Sometimes your brain needs:
— a sitcom; — a vlog; — light-hearted YouTube; — short videos; — simple dialogues.
English after moving abroad doesn’t always have to be “useful.”
Sometimes it just needs to stop being exhausting.
It’s much easier for adults to brush up on conversational English online through real-life topics:
— work; — moving; — daily life; — kids; — fatigue; — dreams; — a new life; — strange situations abroad.
Not through:
“Describe your perfect vacation.”
Perfect English isn’t a prerequisite for normal communication.
Most people in an international setting don’t speak perfectly either.
But they sound more relaxed.
This is a highly underrated practice.
When a person reads aloud:
— the rhythm of speech returns; — internal fear decreases; — English begins to sound more natural; — the brain stops “stuck” on every word.
For adults, this is critically important.
When a person is afraid of making mistakes, the brain automatically simplifies speech.
That’s why sometimes the greatest progress comes not from the “best teacher,” but from an atmosphere where you can think, make mistakes, laugh, and speak at your own pace.
For adults, it is especially important that English be associated not with stress, but with normal communication. That is why it is worth looking for classes without the pressure of school, where you can think, joke, and speak at your own pace.
Because it’s not just about words.
It’s about feeling safe.
When a person stops:
— being afraid of their accent; — feeling self-conscious about pauses; — mentally “taking a test”; — constantly checking themselves; — worrying about mistakes,
English starts to sound different.
Warmer. Calmer. More alive.
And very often, that’s when a person suddenly realizes:
“I can speak normally again.”
In short:
— less self-criticism; — more real-life communication; — less perfectionism; — more genuine emotions; — less fear; — more safe practice.
Because for adults, the language barrier is very often not a linguistic problem, but an emotional one.
Especially after moving abroad.
“Tired English” isn’t a sign that you’ve “lost your language.”
It’s often just the result of a long adjustment period, stress, and living under constant pressure.
Many Ukrainians abroad go through this.
And that’s normal.
Your language can come alive again.
Not perfect. Not “like a native speaker.” But calm, natural, and yours.
Sometimes “living English” returns not when you’ve learned another 50 phrases, but when you stop being afraid of sounding imperfect.
If you want to speak more calmly, naturally, and without constant internal tension again—perhaps a gentle return to living English is right for you.
Fozzy Group has opened its 200th Thrash!Trash! store, which has begun operations in Krasyliv, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, according to the group’s press service.
The convenience store format combines a wide range of products, affordable prices, a convenient shopping experience, and the brand’s energetic atmosphere.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the chain has opened 122 new Thrash!Trash! stores. It is now represented in 107 towns and cities across 18 regions of Ukraine.
Thrash! is part of the Fozzy Group, a commercial and industrial group with more than 825 retail outlets across the country (Silpo, Fozzy, Fora, Thrash!, “Bila Romashka” pharmacy supermarkets, and E-ZOO pet stores).
Poltava Mining and Processing Plant PJSC (PGZK, Komsomolsk, Poltava Oblast), the main asset of the Ferrexpo Group, whose majority shareholder is businessman Kostyantyn Zhevago, reduced its net loss by 2.94 times compared to the same period last year—to UAH 406.452 million from UAH 1.19657 billion—based on its performance in January–March of this year.
According to the company’s interim report, available to the agency “Interfax-Ukraine,” revenue from ordinary activities for this period also decreased by 2.94 times—to 2.508029 billion UAH from 7.363388 billion UAH.
Retained earnings as of the end of March 2026 amounted to UAH 11.923358 billion.
The official report for 2025 has not yet been published. At the same time, PGZK reported a net loss of UAH 2.043378 billion for the first nine months of 2025, compared to a net profit of UAH 448.185 million in the first nine months of 2024; revenue then decreased by 9.7% to UAH 16.204660 billion. Retained earnings as of the end of September 2025 amounted to UAH 17.563201 billion.
PGZK’s net loss in 2025 amounted to UAH 4.861128 billion, with revenue of UAH 20.775232 billion.
According to the 2024 annual report, PGZK incurred a loss of UAH 3,153,916,000 in 2024 on revenue from ordinary activities of UAH 23,707,648,000; in 2023, the loss amounted to 5,444,659 million UAH with revenue of 15,065,640 million UAH.
Ferrexpo is an iron ore company with assets in Ukraine. Its main activity is the production and export of iron ore pellets used in steel production.
According to the State Audit Office’s data for the first quarter of 2026, Ferrexpo AG (Switzerland) owns 100% of the shares in Poltava Mining.
Poltava Mining’s authorized capital is 3.0876 billion UAH.
