The U.S. will continue to take steps to ease sanctions against Russia, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Unfortunately, the lifting of sanctions will continue. I believe that the diesel deal is the first step. Unfortunately, it seems to me that this will not stop Putin; on the contrary, he feels joy and happiness from having such support. And yet we very much hope—I personally hope—that the President of the United States will do everything possible to ensure that Putin stops the killings, stops the attacks on our energy sector, and ends this war,” Zelenskyy said, responding to questions from journalists on Saturday.
He emphasized that “this cannot be achieved by limiting Ukraine’s countermeasures against Russia, which is killing our people, and certainly not by lifting sanctions.”
The president noted that the Ukrainian side had not received any warnings that the sanctions would be suspended or about the “diesel deal,” and “in the same way, we learned from the media about the possibility of an energy truce.”
On the night of October 24–25, 2026, Ukraine will switch to standard time by setting clocks back one hour. At 4:00 a.m. Kyiv time, the clocks must be set back to 3:00 a.m., in accordance with the current Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 509 of May 13, 1996.
Thus, Sunday, October 25, will last 25 hours, and Ukraine will switch from daylight saving time (UTC+3) to standard time (UTC+2).
Most modern smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices will adjust the time automatically, provided the time zone is set correctly. Mechanical watches and some electronic devices will need to be adjusted manually.
A distinctive feature of this year’s transition is the uncertainty surrounding the abolition of the seasonal time change. Back on July 16, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Bill No. 4201 “On the Calculation of Time in Ukraine,” which provides for the elimination of the annual switch to daylight saving time and the adoption of a permanent Kyiv time of UTC+2.
The bill was supported by 261 members of parliament. On August 21, 2024, it was sent to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his signature. However, as of October 2026, the law has not been signed and has not entered into force.
Therefore, a government resolution remains in effect in Ukraine, under which clocks are adjusted twice a year: one hour forward on the last Sunday in March and one hour back on the last Sunday in October.
Along with Ukraine, most European countries—including Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, and Montenegro—will switch to standard time on October 25.
At the same time, the time difference between Ukraine and Central European countries will remain unchanged. Specifically, Kyiv will be one hour ahead of Warsaw, Belgrade, and Budapest.
The switch to standard time means that it will get light earlier in the morning according to the clock, but it will get dark about an hour earlier in the evening.
Under current rules, Ukraine’s next switch to daylight saving time is scheduled for March 28, 2027, unless the law is amended before then.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) published on September 17, in August 2026, Ukrainian citizens purchased 147 residential properties in Turkey and ranked second among foreign buyers, trailing only Russian citizens.
In August, Russians purchased 343 properties, Ukrainians 147, and Iranian citizens 140. Thus, Ukrainians accounted for about 7.6% of all residential property sales to foreigners in Turkey that month. Russians accounted for about 17.7% of foreign purchases.
Compared to July, activity among Ukrainian buyers increased slightly. In July, Ukrainian citizens purchased 145 properties and ranked third behind Russians and Iranians. Thus, the number of transactions involving Ukrainians in August increased by approximately 1.4%, while the number of purchases by Russians decreased from 394 to 343 properties, or by nearly 13%.
In total, 1,938 residential properties were sold to foreigners in August, which is virtually on par with last year’s level—an increase of just 0.1%. Compared to July, when foreigners purchased 2,120 properties, the number of transactions fell by approximately 8.6%. Foreign buyers accounted for 1.5% of total housing sales in Turkey in August.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s domestic market contracted much more rapidly. In August, 127,410 residential properties were sold in the country—14.7% fewer than a year earlier. Sales of new homes fell by 4.5% to 44,378 units, while sales of existing homes dropped by 19.4% to 83,032 units.
On the other hand, the mortgage lending segment showed growth. The number of mortgage transactions increased by 7.2% to 22,131, accounting for 17.4% of total housing sales. From January through August, the volume of mortgage-backed sales rose by 27.6% to 188,813 units.
In the first eight months of 2026, 950,529 residential properties were sold in Turkey—6.8% fewer than during the same period last year. Foreign buyers purchased 13,141 properties during this period, which is 6.3% less than in January–August 2025. Thus, foreign demand is generally declining at roughly the same rate as the Turkish market.
The concentration of Ukrainian demand in Antalya is particularly noticeable. In August, foreigners purchased 599 residential properties there, with Ukrainian citizens buying 114 apartments and houses. This means that Antalya accounted for about 78% of all August purchases by Ukrainians in Turkey.
Russians purchased 226 properties in Antalya, while Germans purchased 56. In terms of the total number of foreign transactions, Istanbul took first place (763 properties), followed by Antalya (599), Mersin (143), Ankara (92), Trabzon (47), and Yalova (45).
Ukrainians have remained among the largest foreign buyers of Turkish real estate for several years now. By the end of 2025, Ukrainian citizens had purchased 1,541 residential properties in Turkey, ranking third behind Russians—with 3,649 transactions—and Iranians—with 1,878. In 2024, Ukrainians purchased 1,631 properties.
At the same time, the decline in the number of transactions is occurring against the backdrop of continued nominal price growth. As previously reported by Open4Business, in July 2026, the average price per square meter of housing in Turkey reached approximately 41,700 Turkish lira, or about $871, while the average price per property was approximately 5.21 million lira, or $109,000. However, taking high inflation into account, housing prices fell by approximately 6.6% in real terms over the year.
According to data from the Ukrainian international real estate agency Homium, the average budget of a Ukrainian real estate buyer in Turkey in 2025–2026 is approximately $100,000–$200,000. The company operates, in particular, in the markets of Alanya, Antalya, Istanbul, Bodrum, Fethiye, Mersin, and other regions of Turkey. Prices for the most affordable properties in some regions start at approximately $45,000–$65,000, while real estate in Istanbul, Bodrum, and other prestigious locations is significantly more expensive.
“August statistics show that Ukrainian demand for real estate in Turkey remains stable despite the general cooling of the market. Buyers have become more rational and are evaluating property prices, rental potential, maintenance costs, and liquidity much more carefully. For Ukrainian clients, Turkey remains, first and foremost, an accessible market thanks to its geographical proximity, a wide selection of properties, and a well-established infrastructure for foreign owners. At the same time, demand is mainly concentrated in Antalya and along the Mediterranean coast,” noted Artur Brazilevsky, CEO of Homium.
It is telling that, despite a nearly 15% drop in the total number of transactions in the Turkish market, sales to foreigners in August remained virtually at last year’s level. This may indicate a stabilization of foreign demand following a prolonged downturn; however, data for the period from January through August do not yet point to a full recovery.
Kolos Agricultural Firm LLC, based in the Kyiv region, is successfully growing teff—a grain crop that is not widely cultivated in Ukraine—which is known for its drought resistance and can be used in the food industry, livestock farming, and for improving soil health. The farm is also working to register this crop in Ukraine.
As reported by the agricultural publication SEEDS on October 16, 2026, citing the company’s experience, teff holds promise for the Ukrainian agricultural sector amid climate change, rising temperatures, and water shortages.
According to Leonid Tsentilko, the owner and director of the agricultural firm, teff is a cereal crop with a well-developed fibrous root system that helps the plant withstand arid conditions.
“Teff is a cereal crop that is interesting because it has a powerful fibrous root system rich in living microorganisms and is capable of surviving even under arid conditions,” Tsentilo noted during a training and practical field seminar organized as part of the FarmForce project.
According to him, the unique characteristics of the root system allow the crop to continue growing even with insufficient rainfall. Additionally, teff can be used in mixtures with other green manure crops to improve soil structure and biological activity.
One of teff’s distinctive features is its extremely small seeds. At the same time, as the farm manager noted, this does not pose any critical technical limitations for harvesting, since the crop can be threshed using a standard combine harvester.
The agricultural enterprise has also experimented with processing the harvested grain. Specifically, it was ground in a stone mill to produce flour suitable for baking whole-grain bread.
Teff (Eragrostis tef) originates from Ethiopia, where it is one of the traditional food crops. Its grains are used to produce flour for baking bread, including the traditional Ethiopian injera. The crop is naturally gluten-free, making it a promising raw material for the production of specialized food products.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), teff is also grown as a forage crop. Thanks to its rapid growth and relative drought tolerance, it is used for hay production and to provide a forage base for livestock, particularly in South Africa, Australia, and the United States.
For Ukrainian farmers, teff may be of interest as a dual-purpose crop, allowing them to harvest grain for food processing and green forage for livestock. At the same time, its use as a green manure crop opens up additional opportunities for incorporating the crop into conservation tillage systems.
This approach may become particularly relevant for farms seeking alternatives to traditional crops due to increasing droughts, uneven rainfall distribution, and the need to diversify production.
At the same time, the prospects for industrial teff cultivation in Ukraine will depend on the availability of seeds, agricultural technologies, yields in various natural and climatic zones, and the development of stable demand from processing enterprises. Data on the area under cultivation, yield, and production costs for teff at the “Kolos” agricultural firm have not yet been made public.
“Kolos” Agricultural Firm LLC is an agricultural enterprise in the Kyiv region engaged in crop production, livestock farming, and the development of agricultural technologies. The company’s director and owner is Leonid Tsentylo. The company is experimenting with the cultivation of alternative crops and the use of technologies to restore soil fertility.
Sources: SEEDS, October 16, 2026; AgroPortal, originally published on October 10, 2026.
Pepco, one of Europe’s leading discounters, continues its expansion into the Ukrainian market: the opening of new stores in Kyiv, Ternopil, and Chernivtsi is scheduled for the end of 2026, and a Ukrainian-language website has already been launched, the company’s press office told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
It is specified that as part of Pepco’s pilot phase in Kyiv, new stores will open at the Respublika Park, Retroville, and Dream Yellow shopping centers.
The planned store openings will mark another important step in the gradual expansion of Pepco’s operations in Ukraine. The company sees significant potential in the Ukrainian market.
To support its market entry, Pepco has already launched a local Ukrainian-language website, which allows consumers to familiarize themselves with the brand and its product range even before the new stores open: https://pepco.ua/. The website features Pepco’s current collections of clothing, home goods, and children’s products, along with prices, customer support information, and a store locator.
In addition to its commercial activities, Pepco recognizes the importance of supporting Ukrainian communities. As part of this commitment, the company is partnering with the “Children of Heroes” charitable foundation, which provides assistance to Ukrainian children who have lost one or both parents due to the war. Through this initiative, under the slogan “Solidarity That Matters,” Pepco aims to contribute to meaningful, long-term support for affected families.
The press release emphasizes that Pepco will continue to approach its operations in Ukraine responsibly, taking market conditions into account and working closely with the local team. The company is carefully and gradually expanding its market presence, prioritizing the needs of Ukrainian consumers.
Pepco is one of Europe’s leading general merchandise discounters, headquartered in Poznań. It has been operating since 1999 and has over 4,000 stores in 19 countries. The brand is part of the Pepco Group. The Pepco Group is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (PCO).
The international forum “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investment” will take place on October 22–23, 2026, in Bucharest, Romania, at the ROMEXPO exhibition center, Pavilion C2. The event will bring together representatives of government agencies from Ukraine, Romania, and other European countries, as well as international financial organizations, investors, the business community, and experts.
The forum is organized by the Romanian think tank New Strategy Center in partnership with the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The academic partner of the event is the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest (USAMV).
According to the updated program, 31 thematic panel discussions are scheduled over the course of two days, focusing on attracting international capital for Ukraine’s reconstruction, the development of transportation and energy infrastructure, industrial cooperation, defense technologies, food security, and cross-border cooperation.
One of the forum’s key focuses will be a discussion of Romania’s role as a regional logistics and investment hub for Ukraine’s reconstruction. In particular, participants will examine the prospects for developing transport corridors between Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova, expanding the capacity of Danube ports, and creating new rail and road routes between the Baltic and Black Seas.
Special attention will be given to investment opportunities in Ukrainian regions. The program includes special presentations on projects in the Kyiv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Odesa, and Kherson regions. Representatives of local authorities, regional development agencies, and the business community will discuss attracting foreign investors, implementing infrastructure projects, and developing cooperation with Romanian partners.
On October 22, the main focus will be on economic recovery, financing, and investments. Participants will examine mechanisms for attracting private capital, opportunities offered by international development banks, support programs for Ukrainian businesses, and prospects for the restoration of residential and industrial infrastructure.
Among the announced participants for the first day are Gennadiy Chizhikov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Marina Khlistun, Executive Director of UkraineInvest; Kateryna Glazkova, Executive Director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs; and representatives of the European Investment Bank, the German development bank KfW, Japan’s JBIC, Poland’s BGK, and other international financial institutions.
As part of the discussion on financing reconstruction, a remote address by a representative of the Ukrainian government is scheduled. Separate panels will be dedicated to the development of the agricultural sector, ensuring global food security, the modernization of the energy sector, and the development of renewable energy sources.
Also on October 22, there will be a presentation of the “Together for Ukraine” platform, initiated by the New Strategy Center to foster cooperation and support for Ukraine.
Human capital issues will be the subject of a separate discussion featuring Ella Libanova, director of the M.V. Ptukha Institute of Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Participants will discuss challenges related to the return of Ukrainian citizens from abroad, staffing the economy, and training specialists for reconstruction.
On October 23, the forum’s program will focus on security challenges, the development of the defense industry, energy resilience, and cross-border cooperation.
In particular, panel discussions are planned on international security guarantees for Ukraine, the prospects for ending Russian aggression, the use of unmanned systems, and the development of joint production of defense products by Ukrainian and European companies.
Participants in the discussion on security guarantees will include Igor Zhovkva, Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Foreign Policy; Kiril Petkov, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria; and representatives from the United States, Japan, and European think tanks.
A separate session will be dedicated to the reintegration of veterans and the utilization of their professional potential in economic recovery. Among the participants listed is Ruslan Prykhodko, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.
The energy segment on the second day will include discussions on preparing the Ukrainian power grid for the winter season, protecting critical infrastructure, cooperation in the Black Sea region, and prospects for involving international companies in energy projects. Among the announced participants are representatives of Naftogaz of Ukraine, OMV Petrom, ROMGAZ, Japan’s JICA, and other energy companies and organizations.
Issues related to the participation of Romanian businesses in Ukraine’s reconstruction will play a significant role in the program. A special panel will be dedicated to financial instruments, institutional support, and opportunities for implementing joint investment projects.
The forum’s concluding discussions will address the prospects for post-war security in Europe, the development of defense-industrial cooperation, Russia’s international responsibility, and mechanisms for compensating Ukraine for damages caused by the war.
The organizers note that the forum’s goal is to create a practical platform for dialogue between Ukrainian and international companies, financial institutions, and representatives of government agencies and local authorities. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying specific investment opportunities and forming partnerships aimed at Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery.
The New Strategy Center is an independent Romanian think tank specializing in security, defense, foreign policy, energy, and regional cooperation. The organization hosts international conferences and expert events dedicated to strategic challenges in the Black Sea region and Central and Eastern Europe. This forum continues a series of events on Romania’s role in Ukraine’s recovery, organized by the New Strategy Center in 2023 and 2025.
The detailed forum program and information about the participants are available on the event’s official website.
Open4Business is a media partner of the event.
Bucharest, INVESTMENT, RECONSTRUCTION, ROMANIA, UKRAINE, ЧИЖИКОВ
