The government is preparing to expand the state-run “Affordable Medicines” program starting July 1, 2026, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced.
“We will add a significant number of medications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on all active ingredients available in Ukraine. They will be available free of charge or with a partial copayment via an electronic prescription. I have heard a report on this from Health Minister Viktor Lyashko,” Svyrydenko wrote on her Telegram channel.
She emphasized that cardiovascular diseases account for about 60% of deaths in Ukraine. Every year, over 800,000 people are diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, and nearly 50,000 suffer a heart attack. A significant portion of these cases can be prevented with regular treatment and monitoring.
“The ‘Affordable Medicines’ program is a key support tool. It has already benefited 6.18 million Ukrainians, with medications available at 17,348 pharmacies. The program already includes 748 items, with the highest demand for medications for cardiovascular diseases. For many people, this is daily treatment, so it is important that it be accessible and free of charge,” the prime minister emphasized.
She added that in the second half of the year, the program will include medications containing all active ingredients available in Ukraine that are necessary for outpatient treatment of such diseases in accordance with medical protocols. The Ministry of Health has been tasked with consulting the market and preparing a decision for the program’s launch.
According to Serbian Economist, Montenegro’s long-term residential rental market entered a cooling phase in 2026: following the rapid growth of previous years, oversupply began to shift the balance in favor of tenants.
Currently, studios in Montenegro are offered at an average price of 300–400 euros per month, one-bedroom apartments at 400–800 euros, two-bedroom apartments at 600–1,200 euros, and houses starting at 1,000 euros. In the premium segment, villas and luxury properties can cost from 2,000 to 10,000 euros per month and higher.
The main reasons for the market stagnation are the decrease in the number of foreign residents staying in the country long-term and the accumulated oversupply. According to a representative of a local real estate agency, property owners are increasingly finding that apartments remain vacant longer than they did a year ago, while tenants have more room to negotiate prices and terms.
The market is no longer operating according to the 2022–2024 model, when owners could quickly rent out properties amid an influx of foreigners and limited supply. Now, in a number of locations, tenants are increasingly choosing between several options, securing discounts, or demanding better terms regarding the lease, furnishings, and utility bills.
For Montenegro, this shift is significant not only for the housing sector but also for the broader demand model, which in recent years has relied heavily on the influx of foreigners, relocators, and investors. If the number of long-term tenants continues to decline, some landlords may increasingly switch to short-term rentals or adjust their price expectations downward.
https://t.me/relocationrs/2698
Ukraine’s economy at the end of 2025 demonstrated a more stable conclusion to the year than had been expected in the autumn, although it is still premature to speak of a full-fledged recovery. This conclusion follows from an analytical review of key macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine and the world, prepared on the basis of data from the State Statistics Service, the NBU, the IMF, the World Bank, and leading international statistical agencies.
According to the review, Ukraine’s real GDP growth in 2025 was estimated at 1.8%, while inflation in December slowed to 8% year-on-year. At the same time, core inflationary pressure also weakened: core inflation in December also slowed to 8%, compared with 11% in September. This allowed the economy to end the year with formally positive dynamics even against the backdrop of war, losses of energy infrastructure, a labor shortage, and high budgetary pressure.
At the same time, the structure of growth remained uneven. The consumer segment and part of investment activity looked resilient: in the fourth quarter of 2025, growth in retail trade accelerated on average to 13.6% year-on-year, while construction activity was supported by housing repairs and the restoration of the logistics, infrastructure, and energy base. In the second half of the year, wages in the private sector, according to estimates based on banking data, grew by more than 20% in annual terms. At the same time, industry remained weak: in the fourth quarter, industrial production was on average declining by 4.8% year-on-year, primarily due to a downturn in the energy sector and the extractive industry.
As noted by the founder of the information and analytical center Experts Club, Maksym Urakin, this is not a phase of classical economic upswing, but rather the preservation of macro-resilience in wartime conditions.
“The result of 2025 for Ukraine can be called moderately positive, but without grounds for complacency. Yes, inflation turned out to be lower than had been expected back in the autumn, core price pressure also weakened noticeably, reserves became record-high, and the economy did not slide into recession even despite harsh wartime conditions. At the same time, this is not a sign of a full-fledged upswing,” he emphasized.
Change in real GDP at actual prices relative to the previous period in 2014–2024
According to Maksym Urakin, the current model of the Ukrainian economy rests on a combination of external financing, high budget expenditures, business adaptation, and the resilience of domestic demand. “In fact, we see an economic model that rests on a combination of external financing, high budget expenditures, business adaptation, and the resilience of domestic demand. But without a more large-scale inflow of investment into production, energy, logistics, and technological renewal, this growth will remain limited and very sensitive to any new external or military shock,” he noted.
External assistance remained the most important pillar of macro-financial stability. In the fourth quarter, its inflow increased sharply, and overall in 2025 Ukraine received $52.4 billion in official financing, including $32.7 billion from the EU and $12 billion from the United States. This made it possible to increase international reserves to a historical maximum of $57.3 billion at the end of the year. But at the same time, imbalances also intensified: the current account deficit for January–November reached $30.6 billion, while the consolidated budget deficit excluding grants amounted to UAH 2.209 trillion, or 24.8% of GDP. The NBU also indicated that public and publicly guaranteed debt would remain at a level of more than 100% of GDP over the forecast horizon.
Geographical structure of international assistance to Ukraine in 2022–2025, EUR billion
Urakin believes that 2026 will be decisive for Ukraine. “The key conclusion of 2025 for Ukraine is very simple: external assistance bought the state time, but by itself it does not solve the problem of the weak structure of the economy. Record reserves, large official financing, and even slowing inflation do not yet mean that the economy has become self-sufficient. On the contrary, if we look at the current account deficit, the scale of the budget gap, and the debt burden, it is clear that macro-resilience still rests to a large extent on external resources,” he emphasized.
He added that without an inflow of investment into production, infrastructure, energy, and export processing, the current stability risks remaining only a mode of maintaining the system. “That is why 2026 will be critical: if it does not bring an increase in investment into production, infrastructure, energy, and export processing, then the current stability will remain only a mode of maintaining the system, and not a transition to genuine economic recovery,” Urakin summarized.
Against the global backdrop, the situation looked moderately weak, but not crisis-like. According to the review, the world economy was slowing at the end of 2025; however, the United States maintained resilient growth, the eurozone demonstrated weak but positive dynamics, and China ended the year with formally strong GDP growth of 5%, although against the backdrop of weak domestic demand. For Ukraine, this means that the external environment remains heterogeneous: without a sharp collapse, but also without a powerful external impulse that could automatically accelerate domestic recovery.
Experts Club is a Ukrainian information and analytical center engaged in the preparation of studies, reviews, and expert materials on the economy, international relations, markets, and long-term development trends of Ukraine and the world. The center also regularly serves as a platform for public comments and discussions involving specialized experts.
According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC), Ukraine exported 436,000 tons of poultry meat to foreign markets in 2025, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year.
The business association noted that despite a slight annual decline, current export volumes are 1% higher than the average for the past five years. The key consumers of Ukrainian products remain EU countries (30.6%), the Middle East (27.2%), and European countries outside the EU (22.6%).
According to analysts, total poultry meat production in 2025 amounted to 1,390,000 tons. Meanwhile, the industry is gradually recovering: the poultry population had grown to 192.3 million birds by early 2026 (+3%). The share of poultry in industrial enterprises is 64%, while in private households and small farms it is 36%.
“Growth is driven primarily by industrial enterprises that are investing in modernization and biosecurity, which allows them to maintain efficiency despite high feed costs,” the association explained.
A distinct trend of the year was a sharp decline in imports—to 46,000 tons, which is 73% below the five-year average. The UACB attributes this to increased market self-sufficiency and the expansion of domestic producers’ capacity, who are successfully replacing foreign products.
“The poultry industry is operating under pressure from economic and energy challenges, yet it maintains its production potential. The growing role of medium-sized and regional producers, as well as their investments in modernization, play a key role in supporting the domestic market and increasing exports,” the UCAB concluded.
The Veterans Institute “Architecture of Resilience” at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) has announced the start of preparations for the 2026 admissions campaign for veterans, military personnel, defenders of Ukraine, as well as their children and family members.
According to the institute’s announcement, the program provides access to higher education without the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT)—based on interview results—the opportunity to study in over 100 fields and more than 250 educational programs, as well as personalized support—from submitting documents to securing employment or starting a business.
The institute emphasizes that education for veterans is viewed not as a privilege or a break after combat, but as a tool for returning to an active professional role and participating in the country’s reconstruction. Therefore, educational programs are combined with psychological support, rehabilitation components, practical projects, and partnerships with employers.
Study is available in full-time, part-time, online, and distance learning formats, allowing participation in programs from any region of Ukraine or from abroad. For veterans and defenders, admission is granted without the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) or the European Vocational Qualifications (EVQ) — solely based on interview results, taking into account prior service, educational, or work experience.
The 2026 admissions campaign places a special emphasis on fields critical to the country’s recovery, including engineering, construction, architecture, IT, management, security, ecology, physical rehabilitation, and sports. The institute notes that these fields form the foundation of the new economy and require specialists with practical experience and a high level of responsibility.
Among the program’s partner universities are Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, Western Ukrainian National University, Yuriy Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic National University, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Drohobych National Pedagogical University, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, and the University of Educational Management.
The institute clarifies that “free education” refers to participation in state compensation programs, grants, scholarships, and support from employers. Admissions will take place as part of the standard admissions campaign during the regular period—from July 1 to August 10—with all documents required to be prepared and submitted by July 1 to the relevant department of the educational institution.
Details and consultations:
+38 073 94 96 179
+38 050 22 35 182
+38 067 49 81 098
Starting April 25, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) is easing a number of currency restrictions, specifically simplifying the conditions for defense enterprises to purchase foreign currency, expanding opportunities for non-resident military personnel and non-resident specialists to transfer funds abroad, and creating conditions for the implementation of the government’s program to support Ukrainians abroad.
“When fulfilling currency purchase requests from defense enterprises, banks will be able to disregard foreign currency balances in accounts if these funds were received from foreign states or their authorized agencies to finance contracts for the production of military and dual-use goods for security and defense forces,” the NBU noted in a press release on Friday.
The same rule will apply when purchasing foreign currency using budget funds to fulfill a government contract for the production of military goods for these recipients.
The National Bank has also expanded opportunities for non-resident military personnel to purchase foreign currency and transfer it abroad. They will be able to purchase and transfer foreign currency abroad without restrictions in the amount of their received monetary allowance, provided these funds were credited to their account on or after May 1, 2026. For funds credited prior to this date, the current limit of 400,000 UAH equivalent per calendar month will apply.
In addition, banks are permitted to credit funds in hryvnia within Ukraine to the current accounts of non-resident individuals who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine or the National Guard of Ukraine.
For individuals who are residents of Russia or Belarus, such transactions are permitted without separate approval from the Security Service of Ukraine; however, transfers from residents of these countries are possible only if such an individual possesses a document confirming temporary asylum in another country.
It has been clarified that for the identification and verification of military personnel when opening accounts, banks and non-bank payment service providers may use the military personnel’s military registration document, as well as a currently valid military ID, officer’s ID, or general’s (admiral’s) ID.
The regulator has also simplified certain conditions for purchasing and transferring currency to attract highly qualified non-resident specialists. Ukrainian legal entities are permitted to purchase and transfer foreign currency to the accounts of non-resident individuals—members of supervisory boards, boards of directors, and executive bodies—opened outside Ukraine, in the amount of payments accrued as of May 1, 2026, under civil law contracts.
Non-resident individuals, in turn, will be able to purchase and transfer foreign currency abroad in the amount of payments received on or after May 1, 2026, into their hryvnia accounts at Ukrainian banks as salaries, other payments provided for by law, as well as payments under civil law contracts.
The NBU also authorized Agency of National Unity LLC to make transfers abroad using budget funds to implement the government’s program to support Ukrainians abroad and facilitate their return to Ukraine.
Separately, the regulator has abolished the requirement for insurers to submit monthly reports on compliance with solvency requirements in order to remain on the list of companies authorized to conduct reinsurance transactions with non-resident reinsurers.
The changes were approved by a resolution of the central bank’s board dated April 23, 2026, which takes effect on April 25, 2026.
As reported, in January 2026, the NBU had already eased a number of currency restrictions, including introducing a “loan” limit for businesses, allowing funds for goods to be returned to the accounts of individuals abroad under certain conditions, and clarifying the rules for currency supervision of export settlements.
