The article reports on several developments related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and its economic impact.
1. **World Bank loan**: The World Bank has approved a $3 billion Development Policy Operation (DPO) for Ukraine, which will focus on supporting the country’s growth potential, including the railway sector, banking, and renewable energy generation.
2. **G7 loan**: The European Union has announced that it will begin paying its portion of the G7 loan to Ukraine in January, with a total value of 18.1 billion euros ($18.8 billion).
3. **Gas transit dispute**: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for refusing to extend the Russian gas transit agreement, which is set to expire on December 31. Fico warned of a looming gas crisis.
4. **Russian Central Bank decision**: Russia’s Central Bank has decided to keep its benchmark interest rate steady at 21%, despite expert expectations of an increase.
Overall, the article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine and Russia in their economic development and reconstruction efforts, as well as the tensions between different countries and parties involved in the war.