European farmers’ organizations have appealed to the European Commission to seek the cancellation of Ukraine’s 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed, according to industry media reports.
The appeal was sent by the Spanish agricultural association ASAJA and the European association of farmers’ organizations Copa-Cogeca. In their opinion, the introduction of export duties on Ukrainian oilseeds could lead to a redistribution of raw material flows and negatively affect the EU market.
Farmers’ associations believe that the current restrictions may stimulate the processing of raw materials within Ukraine and reduce the volume of oilseed supplies to the European market. In this regard, they call on the European Commission to hold consultations with the Ukrainian side and seek the cancellation of the relevant measures.
As reported, a 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed has been in effect in Ukraine since September 2025, which is to be gradually reduced over several years.
At the same time, representatives of the European agricultural sector believe that such measures could change the balance in the EU oilseed market and affect the region’s processing industry.
Die Ukraine hat in den letzten Jahren ihre Präsenz auf dem deutschen Markt für gefrorene Himbeeren deutlich ausgebaut, der zusammen mit Polen nach wie vor ein wichtiger Absatzmarkt für ukrainische Beeren ist und die Exporttrends für die Branche bestimmt, berichtet der Verband „Yagidnyctvo Ukrainy“.
Nach Angaben des Verbandes führte das Wachstum des ukrainischen Angebots zuvor zu einem Rückgang der durchschnittlichen Importpreise in Deutschland um fast die Hälfte.
Gleichzeitig kam es 2025 aufgrund von Ernteeinbußen in der Ukraine, Polen und Serbien zu einer Verknappung auf dem europäischen Markt, was die Preise in Deutschland auf das Niveau von 2022 steigen ließ, wie der Verband feststellt und dabei die Sensibilität des Marktes gegenüber Produktionsausfällen bei den drei wichtigsten Lieferanten, darunter die Ukraine, betont.
According to Serbian Economist, Montenegro has extended temporary protection for people from Ukraine until March 4, 2027, according to a decision published in Službeni list Crne Gore No. 27/26.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro has called on Ukrainian citizens whose foreigner’s certificate with temporary protection status is valid until March 4, 2026, to contact the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at their place of residence to exchange the document and extend their status. For those applying for the first time after the decision comes into force, temporary protection will also be granted until March 4, 2027.
According to the Montenegrin Ministry of Internal Affairs, since the decision on temporary protection came into force (March 14, 2022) until March 2, 2026, 15,820 applications have been submitted, of which 14,893 have been approved.
Temporary protection in Montenegro entitles beneficiaries to legal residence and access to basic rights, including employment, medical care, and education, in accordance with national legislation. The decision was taken in light of the extension of temporary protection for persons from Ukraine at the EU level until March 4, 2027.
https://t.me/relocationrs/2383
The Business Activity Expectations Index (BAEI) rose to 45.9 points in February 2026 from 41.3 points in January, but was lower than in February 2025 (46.9 points), according to the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) website.
“Uncertainty about the duration of hostilities, the destruction of energy and infrastructure, rising costs and electricity prices, labor shortages, and seasonality have held back economic activity and negatively affected business sentiment,” the regulator said in a press release.
At the same time, consumer demand, international financial aid, and slowing inflation supported business sentiment. As a result, enterprises in all sectors surveyed revised their assessments of business activity upward in February compared to January.
The highest assessments of current economic activity in February were demonstrated by industrial enterprises, although they remained cautious amid power shortages, labor shortages, and rising production costs: the sectoral index was 46.9, compared to 41.7 in January (in February 2025 – 50.2).
“Manufacturers lowered their expectations regarding output and new orders, including exports, as well as work in progress, while assessments of finished product inventories were somewhat more pessimistic,” the NBU noted.
Construction companies ranked second in terms of estimates last month: the sectoral index rose to 46.6 from 37.9 in January (in February 2025 – 44.7).
“Builders, preparing for the start of the season, significantly improved their assessments of current activity, although they remained cautious due to difficult weather conditions and electricity shortages, while at the same time an increase in new orders was expected,” the central bank emphasized.
Assessments of service sector companies also improved in February: the sectoral index rose to 45.4 from 42.1 in January (in February 2025 – 42.2).
“The service sector expected a slower pace of decline in the volume of services provided and new orders, despite complicated logistics and rising labor, heating, and electricity costs during the winter period,” the press release said.
Retailers remained the most cautious last month: the sector index rose to 45.0 from 40.0 in January (in February 2025 – 49.2).
“Trading companies have lowered their expectations for a decline in turnover and purchases, while at the same time becoming more optimistic about inventories of goods for sale, maintaining their expectations for a decline in trade margins,” the NBU reported based on the results of a survey of enterprises.
Given the expected acceleration in the growth of purchase prices, respondents from all sectors were optimistic about further increases in prices and tariffs for their own products and services.
The situation with personnel varied by sector: only construction planned to increase its workforce, while industry, trade, and services expected reductions, most notably in industry.
It should be noted that the survey was conducted from February 3 to 20, 2026. A total of 598 enterprises participated in the survey: 43.3% were industrial companies, 25.6% were in the service sector, 25.3% were in trade, and 5.9% were in construction. By size: 30.9% were large enterprises, 29.3% were medium-sized, and 39.8% were small.
At the same time, 33.9% of the surveyed enterprises carry out export and import operations, 8.9% carry out only export operations, 18.4% carry out only import operations, and 38.8% do not carry out foreign economic operations.
In the “Medium and Long-Term Market” section of the UEB, trading continued for February and March 2026. In total, six companies formed positions for the sale or purchase of natural gas: Ukrnafta, VK Ukrnaftoburinnya, SP BNK, Kyivvodokanal, LTK Elektrum, and Energo Zbut Trans. A total of 15.71 million cubic meters of natural gas was sold in this section, which is 10 times more than in the previous week. Natural gas was sold with delivery to the gas transmission system and underground gas storage facilities in February and March. The prices of the positions sold ranged from UAH 18,833 to UAH 20,833 per thousand cubic meters, excluding VAT.
On the short-term natural gas market of the UEB, participants formed bids on the intraday market and the day-ahead market. A total of 29 deals were concluded with a total volume of 1,087 (+26.88%) thousand cubic meters.
Fundamental indicators in Europe remained weak amid mild weather and stable gas supplies. Traditionally, from late March to May, there is a decline in demand for heating and cooling, which often leads to a seasonal decline in prices. This makes spring one of the most attractive periods of the year for concluding forward contracts. Prices may be relatively attractive before the summer heat or unexpected supply disruptions lead to renewed volatility. On Thursday, gas markets were characterized by high volatility in both directions across the curve.
The overall fill rate of EU gas storage facilities fell to 30.19% by February 25. The market expects lower withdrawal rates for the remainder of the winter period.
Natural gas imports from Europe averaged around 25.2 million cubic meters per day and were virtually unchanged from the previous week.
In an exclusive comment to Interfax-Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk spoke about evacuation routes from Israel for Ukrainians wishing to leave the country due to the deteriorating security situation in the region.
According to the diplomat, there have been direct hits in Israel, although few. In total, more than 10 people have been killed and about 130 wounded to varying degrees. The airport was closed at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday. The embassy is constantly updating information on its website for Ukrainian citizens who are temporarily staying in Israel and have not yet managed to leave the country.
Kornichuk emphasized that it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the Israeli Home Front Command; constantly monitor official reports from local authorities and the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel; minimize movement and avoid places of mass gatherings; and find out in advance the location of the nearest shelters.
According to the diplomat, the embassy is keeping track of citizens seeking assistance in leaving the country, and at the moment, about 30 people have signed up for evacuation. He noted that the number of people wishing to leave will increase, so the embassy will try to organize group departures, in particular by booking buses to the Taba checkpoint (border with Egypt) at the expense of sponsors.
According to Korniychuk, private transport is still operating in the country, so Ukrainian citizens can evacuate independently. Currently, there are two routes available.
Route through Egypt – get to Eilat, cross the border on foot at Taba (open 24/7, crossing at any time). A valid Ukrainian passport (valid for at least 6 months) is required. If your stay in Egypt exceeds 14 days or you plan to travel from Sinai to Cairo, etc., you will need to purchase a visa for approximately $30 in cash. From Taba to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport – ≈160 km (shuttle buses or private taxi ≈$150).
The diplomat specifically clarified that charter flights from Sharm el-Sheikh are only available to those who arrived in Egypt on these same charter flights earlier. Independent departure does not guarantee boarding a charter flight. It is recommended to purchase only scheduled tickets.
The second evacuation route through Jordan is via the Allenby Bridge checkpoint. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Tel Aviv to the border. After crossing the border, it takes about an hour to get to Amman airport by car or bus (which run regularly).
However, during a conversation with the ambassador, additional restrictions became known. The Ukrainian Embassy in Jordan published a post stating that the Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority had announced a partial and temporary closure of Jordanian airspace to all aircraft (arrival, departure, transit). The closure is in effect daily from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. the following day (local time), starting on the evening of March 2 and continuing until further notice.
Passengers are advised to contact their airlines directly for schedule details and possible changes.
“The embassy continues to monitor the situation and update its recommendations on its official website,” he concluded.
Hotline of the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel: +972 54 667 67 82 (Viber, Telegram), email: consul_il@mfa.gov.ua
As reported, due to the escalation of the security situation in the Middle East and the threat of rocket attacks and assaults, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Ukrainian citizens refrain from traveling to the State of Israel until the situation stabilizes and reminds them of the current recommendation to refrain from traveling to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to leave its territory, which was announced in early January.
We recommend that all Ukrainian citizens in the countries of the region remain vigilant, closely follow the reports of the local competent authorities of the countries of stay, strictly observe security measures, and always carry identity documents with them.
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint large-scale military operation against Iran (called “Lion’s Roar” in Israel and “Epic Fury” in the US). The strikes targeted military, missile, and nuclear facilities, as well as the country’s leadership. As a result of the attacks, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, along with a number of high-ranking officials, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the defense minister.
In response, Iran launched massive missile and drone strikes on Israel, as well as on US military bases and facilities in the Persian Gulf countries (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan). There have been civilian casualties in Israel (including nine people killed in Beit Shemesh by a direct ballistic missile strike), wounded US military personnel, and significant damage to infrastructure.
