Ukraine's underground storage facilities are currently using 19.4% of their capacity. Almost 32%, or 2.79 bcm, less gas is available in the storages than in the previous year, according to the estimates.
The majority of Ukrainians, 71%, do not support holding elections before a full peace deal, even in the case of a ceasefire and security guarantees, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on May 14.
"He'd like me to be there, and that's a possibility. ... I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Qatar, Reuters reported.
Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending, previously calling for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP.
More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies," Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv. "And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process."
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski in Kyiv on Dec. 22, 2023. (President of Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelensky told Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski that there was hope for "a new page in our relations" during their meeting in Kyiv on Dec. 22.
Sikorski, an experienced politician who has previously served as Poland's foreign minister, arrived in Kyiv earlier on Dec. 22.
Sikorski was appointed on Dec. 13 by newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish parliament elected Donald Tusk as prime minister on Dec. 11, ending the eight-year rule of the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS).
Tensions between Poland and Ukraine have risen in recent months, with Polish truckers and farmers continuing a blockade of some of the busiest border checkpoints with Ukraine.
As of the morning of Dec. 22, 3,900 trucks were waiting in line to enter Ukraine from Poland, according to Border Guard Service spokesman Andrii Demchenko.
"We both agree that our bilateral relations need a boost, and that all concerns ought to be resolved in a mutually respectful manner," Zelensky said. "We are very strong neighbors with a common history."
According to Sikorski, the final details of an agreement between Poland and Ukraine are being worked out, which could unblock the border. Polish Deputy Infrastructure Minister Pawel Gancarz came to Kyiv with Sikorski for talks on the issue.
Gancarz said in Kyiv that he hopes "the problem will be solved before Christmas," Polish media outlet Wiadomosci reported.
Sikorski also spoke at a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
"This is, I believe, the last colonial war in Europe and it must end, and we in Poland believe that its result should be as follows: Russia should lose and Ukraine should win," Sikorski said.
"Ukraine should win this war and Putin should lose it, and at the end of the decade we want Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders, to be a member of the EU."
Sikorski also met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The two discussed "strengthening economic cooperation and developing the joint production of military equipment," as well as issues of EU integration, Shmyhal said.
