On October 24, the National Energy Regulatory Agency of Moldova (ANRE) held an open meeting of the Board of Directors, during which it approved a 50% reduction in tariffs for gas transportation to Ukraine.
“During the meeting, the Board approved amendments to Decision No. 272/2025 on the optimization of the ”Route 1″ capacity product on the Trans-Balkan pipeline, following a joint initiative submitted by natural gas transmission system operators from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. The initiative aims to strengthen regional energy security and ensure natural gas supplies to Ukraine,“ according to a statement on the ANRE’s official website.
”The approved changes provide for the extension of the Route 1 product for 6 months (November 2025 – April 2026), a 50% reduction in transportation tariffs for SRL “Vestmoldtransgaz” at the Kaushen and Grebeniki interconnection points, as well as the extension of the capacity product to all relevant interconnection points along the route. A 50% reduction in transportation tariffs is also provided for by the Romanian transmission system operator SA “Transgaz,” ANRE explained.
“With this decision, the Republic of Moldova is strengthening its role as a regional transit corridor, facilitating the transportation of natural gas from Greece to Ukraine and contributing to the diversification of routes and sources of supply. In the long term, transportation volumes are expected to increase, and as a result, the associated tariffs will decrease for users of the transport system operated by SRL Vestmoldtransgaz,” the statement emphasized.
Romania and Moldova have reached an agreement on the construction of a new road bridge across the Prut River, according to a government press release from Bucharest. Under the terms of the memorandum signed by the Romanian government, the project provides for:
– the creation of a new road crossing to strengthen cross-border communication between the two countries and integrate Moldova into the EU transport network (TEN-T).
– the formation of a joint working group and a mixed commission to coordinate technical, financial, and customs issues during the implementation of the project.
– financing from the Romanian budget: in the first phase of the design of four bridges across the Prut, approximately €0.22 billion is to be allocated for each section.
The implementation of the project will help reduce transport time and increase the capacity of roads between Moldova and Romania, as well as improve the overall logistics of the region and speed up transport flows, including between Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania.
Eight earthquakes were recorded in neighboring Romania over four days, according to Romania’s National Institute for Earth Physics Research and Development (INCDFP).
According to the INCDFP, the last three tremors occurred on the night of October 25-26, with an interval of just under an hour. The tremors were recorded in the Vrancea seismic zone, one of the most active earthquake-prone areas in Romania.
The Vrancea seismic zone is located at a depth of about 100 km, so its earthquakes are felt over a large area. In particular, according to a number of reports, the tremors could be felt in Moldova, Bulgaria, Serbia, and southern Ukraine, including the area around the city of Odessa.
The Vrancea zone is known as one of the most dangerous intra-continental seismic areas in Europe, with deep tremors occurring there with magnitudes above 7.0. In such conditions, regional monitoring authorities will intensify their observation and inform the population about the likelihood of repeated events.
The Romanian government plans to introduce a program called “golden investor visa” (Residency by Investment). According to the article, it will be possible to obtain a residence permit by investing €400,000 or more in the country’s economy. Applicants will have to confirm the legality of the origin of the funds, not be on any sanctions lists, and not pose a threat to national security, the publication reports.
Thus, with the introduction of this program, Romania will join the number of European countries that offer foreign investors a simplified procedure for obtaining a residence permit through investment.
What is a “golden visa” (Residency by Investment)?
This is a type of immigration program where a foreigner is granted a residence permit or residency in exchange for significant investments in the host country — for example, purchasing real estate, contributing to a fund, starting a business, etc.
In terms of total trade volume, Ukraine cooperates most closely with China, Poland, and Germany. These countries form the basis of the state’s foreign economic relations, exerting a critical influence on imports and exports.
China remains the leader with a total trade volume of $8.99 billion. Poland ranks second with $6.04 billion, while Germany and Turkey are almost equal with $4.28 billion and $4.25 billion, respectively. The United States ranks fifth with $2.86 billion.
The top 10 also includes Italy ($2.38 billion), the Czech Republic ($1.64 billion), Bulgaria ($1.54 billion), Hungary ($1.53 billion), and Romania ($1.50 billion).
“The top ten partners form the basis of Ukraine’s foreign trade balance. China and the EU countries account for the largest volumes of trade, but it is important to take into account the significant negative balance in relations with these countries,” said Maksim Urakin, founder of Experts Club and economist.
He added that although the large volume of trade indicates Ukraine’s integration into global supply chains, dependence on imports from China and Europe creates strategic risks.
“Poland and Germany are key hubs for Ukrainian exports, but at the same time they are significant sources of imports. Therefore, it is critically important to balance trade flows, preserving positive sectors such as agriculture and metallurgy, and reducing dependence on critical imports,” Urakin noted.
BULGARIA, CHINA, CZECH REPUBLIC, ECONOMY, EXPERTS CLUB, FOREIGN TRADE, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ITALY, POLAND, ROMANIA, TURKEY, UKRAINE, USA, МАКСИМ УРАКИН
According to the results of the first half of 2025, Poland remains Ukraine’s main trading partner in terms of export volumes. According to research by Active Group and Experts Club, exports to Poland amounted to US$2.45 billion.
Turkey ranks second with USD 1.71 billion, and Italy ranks third with USD 1.17 billion. Other major partners include: Germany ($1.09 billion), Spain ($976 million), the Netherlands ($919 million), China ($847 million), Egypt ($776 million), Romania ($679 million), and Hungary ($652 million).
“The structure of Ukraine’s exports shows a clear focus on European Union countries. Poland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands together account for more than half of total exports. This indicates Ukraine’s strategic integration into the European economic space,” emphasized Maksim Urakin, founder of Experts Club and economist.
He also noted that Turkey remains a critically important partner for Ukrainian agricultural and metallurgical exports, while China and Egypt are key markets for agricultural products, particularly grains.
“The presence of trading partners such as Egypt and China diversifies Ukrainian exports,” Urakin added.
CHINA, ECONOMY, EGYPT, EXPERTS CLUB, EXPORTS, GERMANY, HUNGARY, ITALY, POLAND, ROMANIA, TRADE, TURKEY, UKRAINE, МАКСИМ УРАКИН
