Updated rules for producers of grapes and wine products have been in force in Ukraine since January 1, 2026, they are approved by the law “On grapes, wine and wine products” (#3928-ІХ), adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on August 22, 2024. The law introduces updated rules for producers of grapes and wine products, establishes modern requirements for the cultivation of grapes, production, labeling and circulation of wine, and brings the Ukrainian system closer to European standards.
One of the key elements of the document is the protection of geographical indications – classification according to the European model, according to which a clear division of wines by origin into wines with protected appellation of origin (PAO) and wines with protected geographical indication (PGI) is introduced. Clear rules have been established for the official recognition and protection of geographical indications, allowing producers to secure regional brands and guarantee consumers authentic quality.
An important tool for streamlining the industry will be the creation of the Viticulture and Wine Registry: the state is introducing a unified information system where all grape plots, grape production and viticulture products will be registered. This will guarantee full traceability of the product from the vine to the store shelf.
In addition, the said law provides for simplification of conditions for small winemakers, which will stimulate the development of the craft segment and gastrotourism.
At the same time, Ukraine introduces strict requirements to the label: the information that must be available to the consumer is clearly regulated, which prevents falsification of wines.
The law updates the terms and classification of wine products, establishes quality standards and labeling requirements. It defines the procedure for state control and general principles of development of the winegrowing and winemaking industry.
The Ukrainian state budget for 2025 allocates UAH 14.5 billion for science funding, while the draft (adopted) state budget for 2026 sets this figure at UAH 20.1 billion, according to materials from the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance.
In the Ministry of Finance’s presentation on the 2026 budget, 3.2 billion hryvnia is earmarked for supporting science on a performance basis, 1 billion hryvnia for creating scientific centers for defense developments, and 0.7 billion hryvnia for projects by young scientists.
At the same time, the latest available official summary statistics on internal expenditures for research and development (R&D) refer to 2024: they amounted to UAH 28.328 billion, which is 32.7% more than a year earlier; R&D intensity (share of GDP) increased to 0.37% from 0.30% in 2023.
According to the summary review, in 2024, 616 organizations were engaged in research and development, and the number of personnel employed in R&D was 63,800.
In terms of the structure of R&D funding in 2024, 30.6% came from the organizations’ own funds, 40.8% from the public sector (including 38.5% from the state budget), 11.6% from the business sector, and 15.9% from foreign sources.
By sector, the business sector accounted for 59.9% of domestic R&D expenditure, the public sector for 33.4%, and the higher education sector for 6.7%.
Ukrainian legislation sets a benchmark whereby the state provides budgetary funding for scientific and scientific-technical activities in the amount of at least 1.7% of GDP.
Compared to the EU, Ukraine’s R&D indicators remain low: according to Eurostat estimates, in 2024 the European Union spent €403.1 billion on R&D, and R&D intensity amounted to 2.2% of GDP (unchanged from the previous year).
The “domestic R&D expenditure” indicator reflects the total expenditure on research and development within the country from all sources. The “funding for science in the state budget” indicators are a narrower snapshot and are not equal to total domestic R&D expenditure.
https://expertsclub.eu/ukrayina-v-2026-r-planuye-201-mlrd-grn-na-nauku/
The State Tax Service of Ukraine (STS) warns of probable restrictions in work from December 31, 2025 to January 2, 2026 due to routine and technical works. According to information in its Telegram channel, the works are related to the end of the budget year 2025 and the beginning of the budget year 2026.
“During this period there may be restrictions in the work of electronic services of the State Tax Service. December 31, 2025 – the last operational day of 2025 for the reception and processing of tax invoices and calculations of the adjustment to tax invoices to the Unified register of tax invoices, which will continue until 3 pm,” – explained STS.
At the same time, January 2, 2026 is defined as the first operational day of 2026 to accept for processing of tax invoices and adjustment calculations, information and communication systems of STS will work in normal mode.
The results of processing electronic documents, except for tax invoices and adjustment calculations, which will be received from 15:00 on December 31, 2025 to 15:00 on January 2, 2026, will be sent after the completion of routine and technical work.
Also in the STS emphasized that the fiscal server of the supervisory authority works in normal mode with possible restrictions at night.
The Ukrainian Red Cross (URC) has set up heating centers in settlements in the Kyiv region.
“After another massive Russian attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region, many people were left without electricity, water, and heat. In order to support the population in the absence of basic utilities, the Ukrainian Red Cross has set up heating points in settlements in the Kyiv region,” the UKR reported on Facebook on Sunday.
Two mobile heating points, set up by volunteers from the rapid response team of the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, operated in Brovary and Zazimye for two days. During this time, more than 100 people sought help. Here, they could warm up, drink hot beverages, charge their mobile phones, and rest.
In Vyshgorod, two heating points set up by the Kyiv Regional Rapid Response Team of the Ukrainian Red Cross have been operating for the second day in a row, providing all the necessary assistance to local residents.
The bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will begin on Sunday, December 28, at the Palm Beach resort at 10 p.m. Kyiv time.
According to the schedule published on the website of the American parliamentary publication Roll Call, the meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time.
It will take place in Palm Beach, near Trump’s private residence Mar-a-Lago, where Trump arrived for the weekend.
Ukraine has joined the group of countries with the highest level of maturity of digital public administration according to the updated GovTech Maturity Index 2025 (GTMI) of the World Bank, according to the published report of the organization.
According to the report, GTMI 2025 covers 197 economies and divides them into four groups according to the level of GovTech development: A – Extensive, B – Significant, C – Medium and D – Low.
Ukraine is assigned to Group A, which includes 80 states demonstrating the most advanced solutions in the sphere of digital public services, basic information systems, open data and digital interaction with citizens.
The document notes that over the period from 2022 to 2025, the share of Group A countries has increased and the gap between leaders and outsiders of digital transformation of the public sector has widened. Europe and Central Asia as a whole remains one of the most mature regions in terms of GovTech.
Earlier, the researchers pointed out that Ukraine has significantly improved its performance in recent years and moved from Group B to Group A on the GovTech index, reflecting progress in the digitalization of public services, the introduction of electronic document management systems and the development of open data.
