After several years of work, the publication “Bread. Ukraine. Almanac” has been released in Ukraine — a bilingual informational and historical art book dedicated to Ukrainian bread, its role in history, culture, everyday life and the modern food industry.
At the heart of the publication is an attempt to show that the concept of Ukrainian bread is much broader than the familiar product on the everyday table. For some, it is the taste of childhood and a family recipe; for others, it is palianytsia, regional baked goods or bread from a local bakery. At the same time, behind these familiar images stand the history of the development of agriculture, milling and breadmaking, folk traditions and the modern large-scale food industry.
The almanac traces how bread accompanied Ukraine and Ukrainians through different historical periods. It was preserved in family memory and rituals, became an image in cinema, poetry, photography and other forms of art, and with the development of industry turned into an important part of a large production complex.
A special place in the publication is devoted to the dramatic pages of Ukrainian history. The authors address the tragedy of the Holodomor, during which bread became a symbol of the very right of a person to life. It acquired a new symbolic meaning after the beginning of the full-scale war. One of the best-known examples was the word “palianytsia,” which in 2022 became a distinctive linguistic marker of Ukrainian identity.
At the same time, “Bread. Ukraine. Almanac” tells not only about the past. Considerable attention is paid to modern breadmaking, artisanal technologies, regional traditions and the development of the industry. In the book, bread appears simultaneously as an everyday product, a cultural phenomenon, the result of the work of the agricultural and food sectors, and part of the country’s economic history.
At the same time, the authors do not attempt to give a single definition to the concept of “Ukrainian bread.” The book is structured as a collection of different stories, each of which reveals a separate part of this topic — from old mills and family recipes to industrial bakeries, modern technologies and the artistic interpretation of bread.
This approach leaves the reader room for further exploration of the topic: after one piece, one can turn to an old Ukrainian film; after another, one can study regional baked goods, the history of milling, traditional technologies or modern Ukrainian breadmaking in greater detail.
“Bread. Ukraine. Almanac” has been prepared in Ukrainian and English, and is therefore intended not only for a Ukrainian but also for an international audience. The publication can be used as a presentation book about Ukraine, its history, gastronomic culture and one of the country’s most important industries.
The almanac is designed as a modern collectible art book. A distinctive color palette, unconventional layout, archival and contemporary visual materials create a separate visual language for the publication and emphasize its gift-book character.
The premiere of the almanac took place during Baking Awards 2026. The publication was presented by Yurii Duchenko, President of the All-Ukrainian Association of Bakers, and Rodion Rybchynskyi, Director of the “Flour Millers of Ukraine” Union.
The print run of “Bread. Ukraine. Almanac” is limited. Detailed information about the publication and the possibility of ordering it are available on the official “Bread. Ukraine” website.
The partners of the “Bread. Ukraine. Almanac” edition were the All-Ukrainian Association of Bakers and the “Flour Millers of Ukraine” Union. The industry organizations unite enterprises of Ukraine’s breadmaking and flour-milling industries and work to develop the domestic market, increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian products and expand their presence abroad. Among their areas of activity are strengthening Ukraine’s export potential, promoting Ukrainian flour, bakery products and other grain-processing products in foreign markets, developing international contacts and facilitating the participation of Ukrainian producers in specialized international events.
Ukraine and Uzbekistan are introducing a “transport visa-free regime,” which provides for the abolition of permits and related quotas for direct and transit international freight truck transportation between the two countries.
A corresponding protocol between the governments of Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan amending the bilateral Agreement on International Road Transport was signed on September 30, 2026, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in Uzbekistan.
According to the diplomatic mission, the preparation of the document took nearly a year.
The main change will be the simplification of direct and transit freight transport by eliminating the need to obtain permits, as well as quantitative quotas for such transport. This regime, by analogy with other agreements in the field of international road transport, is referred to as “transport visa-free travel.”
For Ukrainian and Uzbek carriers, this will mean the removal of one of the administrative barriers to organizing freight transport between the two countries and transit through their territories.
The embassy expects that the liberalization of road transport will contribute to the restoration of Ukraine’s trade and economic ties with Uzbekistan, which were partially disrupted due to logistical problems following the start of full-scale Russian aggression.
The agreement takes on particular significance amid the restructuring of Ukraine’s foreign trade and the search for alternative transport corridors to Central Asia.
“The removal of bureaucratic barriers should soon facilitate the restoration of full-fledged trade and economic ties between Ukraine and the Republic of Uzbekistan,” the embassy noted.
The diplomatic mission also described the new agreement as one of the steps toward Ukraine’s return to Central Asian markets via new logistics routes.
The protocol, signed on September 30, amends the existing intergovernmental Agreement between Ukraine and Uzbekistan on international road transport. Specifically, it concerns the liberalization of direct and transit freight transport by road. The embassy’s statement does not provide for the abolition of other customs, border, or transportation procedures required for the international transport of goods.
Original source – Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
As of late September–early October, agricultural exports from Ukraine—amid Russia’s ongoing blockade of Black Sea ports—amount to up to 50% of the potential volume, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotsky told reporters on Friday.
“Without access to deep-water Black Sea ports, we can export about half of our produce—the portion that has been grown and is intended for export. When we talk about the consequences, this means we are unable to export approximately 30 million metric tons of agricultural products worth about $30 billion during the current marketing year,” he noted.
The minister clarified that in September, 2.4 million metric tons were exported—46% of what was supposed to be exported—including 1.4 million metric tons of grains (38%), 444,000 metric tons of oilseeds (83%), oil—311,000 metric tons, or 64%, and meal—280,000 metric tons, or 46% of the potential required exports.
“This 46% figure has, in fact, remained unchanged since September 20. In other words, we are achieving what we predicted: that 45–50% is the objective maximum given the current logistics channels,” Vysotsky concluded.
According to him, 41%—or 993,000 metric tons—was exported by rail, which is in line with forecasts; 54%—or 1.3 million metric tons—via the Danube; and 5%—or 120,000 metric tons—by road.
“In September, we saw an increase in both rail and Danube shipments compared to August,” the minister added.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov responded to a new op-ed by Valeriy Zaluzhny, former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, stating that Ukraine’s ability to withstand the war should not be interpreted as consent to live in it, and called for a path to peace backed by guarantees from partners.
“For me, the logic of the ‘war party’ begins when war is perceived as Ukraine’s only possible future. I disagree with this,” Terekhov wrote on Telegram.
Terekhov noted that the desire for peace requires no justification. According to him, in a Gallup poll conducted in April 2026, 66% of Ukrainians surveyed supported ending the war as soon as possible through negotiations. This indicates a broad public demand for peace.
“Peace must be based on our defense capabilities and specific commitments from our partners. Guarantees must specify what military assistance Ukraine will receive and how partners will act in the event of a new attack. We must strive to secure these conditions by using military, economic, and diplomatic leverage,” Terekhov writes.
He noted that Russia started this war and bears responsibility for its continuation, which is why international pressure must be directed specifically at the aggressor.
“Our ability to endure the war should not be interpreted as consent to live in it. We strive for peace and prosperity. Our defenders—both men and women—also have the right to a peaceful life. Time with their families, recovery, plans for the future. Their courage obligates the state to provide them with everything they need and to use every realistic opportunity to bring the war to an end,” Terekhov concluded.
In his column on Channel 24, Zaluzhny specifically stated that there can be no “business logic” in resolving the war, and that in the absence of effective international law, any agreements with Russia would become “merely a prelude to the next war.”
In April 2026, the American public opinion institute Gallup conducted and published several important sociological studies. According to the survey, 66% of Ukrainians polled believe that the country needs to reach an agreement to end the war as soon as possible, while 24% advocate continuing hostilities until victory is achieved.
Source: https://t.me/ihor_terekhov/4706
The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) has begun studying the state of competition in the markets for petroleum-product storage and related services, enkorr reported, citing a request from the committee to one of the market participants, a copy of which is in the publication’s possession.
“As part of the study, the AMCU is collecting data for 2023–2025 and the first half of 2026. In particular, operators must provide information on the volumes and cost of storing gasoline, diesel fuel and liquefied gas, storage capacity, the list of clients and related services,” enkorr noted.
The committee is also interested in the technical characteristics of oil depots: tank-farm capacity, the throughput capacity of railway and road loading racks, equipment for monitoring fuel quality and quantity, and the possibility of promptly repurposing tanks for different types of petroleum products.
A separate part of the study concerns the geographical boundaries of the market. The AMCU is requesting the distances over which fuel is transported from oil depots to clients’ filling stations, the geography of counterparties, the share of rail and water logistics, as well as a list of competing oil depots within a radius of 100 and 150 km.
“In addition, the committee will analyze pricing in the market. Operators must report storage tariffs and tariffs for related services, the practice of granting discounts to large clients, the share of the three largest customers in storage revenue, and their possible influence on tariff policy,” the publication reported.
The committee is also studying barriers to market entry and collecting information on damage to tank farms, railway infrastructure and loading systems, the cost of restoring them, and logistics problems.
Another section concerns minimum stocks of oil and petroleum products (MZNN). The AMCU is determining whether oil-depot operators plan to operate as minimum-stock operators or responsible custodians, as well as how the introduction of MZNN has affected their activities.
As part of the government-introduced experiment on underground fuel storage, the committee is also interested in whether companies have underground storage facilities and in their plans to build new capacity.
Source: https://enkorr.ua/uk/news/amku_dosldzhu_konkurencyu_na_rinku_zbergannya_palnogo/269381
ANTIMONOPOLY COMMITTEE, fuel market, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, UKRAINE
The international forum “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investment” will take place on October 22–23, 2026, at the ROMEXPO Exhibition Center in Bucharest, Romania.
The forum is organized by the New Strategy Center and the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event is expected to bring together representatives of government institutions from Ukraine, Romania, and other countries, as well as international financial organizations, businesses, investors, local authorities, and experts.
According to the preliminary program, the forum will last two days. The main topics of discussion will include infrastructure and transport connectivity, security and defense, financing mechanisms and business opportunities, energy, agriculture and sustainable development, the recovery of Ukrainian regions and cross-border cooperation, as well as human capital.
The forum is scheduled to open on the morning of October 22. George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center, and Mihai Daraban, President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, are scheduled to deliver opening remarks.
One of the first plenary discussions will be a panel titled “Business Bridges for Economic Recovery: The Strategic Role of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.” Among the confirmed participants are Gennadiy Chizhikov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the heads of the chambers of commerce and industry of Romania, Poland, Italy, and Moldova; and Adrian Zuckerman, former U.S. Ambassador to Romania.
A separate segment of the program will be dedicated to the Romania-Ukraine-Moldova strategic transport and investment corridor. Representatives of the Ukrainian government, the Verkhovna Rada, UkraineInvest, and Romanian authorities are scheduled to participate in the discussion. At the same time, international mechanisms for financing reconstruction will be discussed with representatives from KfW, Poland’s BGK, and other financial institutions.
A significant portion of the forum will have a practical investment focus. Separate sessions are scheduled to present investment opportunities in the Kyiv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Odesa, and Kherson regions. The broader concept of the forum also includes the participation of the Mykolaiv region.
On the first day, discussions are also planned on the role of business associations in mobilizing capital for reconstruction, food security and Ukraine’s agricultural potential, the development of the Danube logistics hub, attracting private capital to reconstruction efforts, Black Sea security, unmanned systems, the restoration of housing and cities, Ukraine’s energy transition, and the return of human capital.
Among the announced participants in the finance panel are representatives from the European Investment Bank, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Romanian Commercial Bank (BCR), Poland’s BGK, and Romania’s Investment and Development Bank.
The second day, October 23, will begin with a plenary discussion on ending Russian aggression against Ukraine, international pressure, negotiations, and security guarantees. The program also includes panels on Ukraine’s experience with unmanned systems, the reintegration of veterans, the restoration of the power grid, the role of
the Danube as a strategic transport corridor, and the development of connections between Poland, Ukraine, and Romania.
Separate discussions will address sanctions and post-war reparations, energy cooperation in the Black Sea region, the participation of Romanian companies in Ukraine’s reconstruction, joint production of dual-use goods, and the use of EU programs to develop cross-border cooperation.
According to the program, simultaneous interpretation into Ukrainian, English, and Romanian will be provided at the forum.
The organizers emphasize that the program published as of September is preliminary; therefore, the list of participants, panel titles, and their schedules are subject to change.
Advance registration is required to participate in the forum. The contact person on the Ukrainian side is Kateryna Dadiverina, tel. +40 721 616 747, e-mail: ecaterina.dadiverina@newstrategycenter.ro.
For questions regarding partnerships, sponsorship packages, and exhibition booths, please contact the New Strategy Center: Ana-Maria Shaer, tel. +40 753 103 310, email: ana.schaer@newstrategycenter.ro.
Detailed information and the latest forum program are available on the official website of Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investment.
The “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investment” forum’s media partners are, as usual, Interfax-Ukraine and Open4Business.
