Ukraine’s Exports Rise 13% in 2024
Ukraine’s exports increased by more than 13% last year, thanks to the recovery of seaports and production growth. Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said that Ukraine exported $41.043 billion worth of goods, which is a significant improvement from the previous year.
The country was able to resume maritime trade in the Black Sea despite Russian attempts at blockade. Ukraine’s top trading partners were the European Union ($24.5 billion), China ($2.3 billion), Turkey ($2.1 billion), Egypt ($1.6 billion), India ($986 million), and Moldova ($935 million).
Processed and raw agricultural products, as well as metallurgy products, made up a large portion of Ukraine’s exports.
Military Ombudsman Appointed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed human rights activist Olha Reshetylova to the newly-created position of military ombudsman. This move is intended to improve the treatment and care for Ukrainian soldiers.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict Continues
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, with both sides suffering significant losses. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia used 43 drones against Ukraine overnight. The black box from an Azerbaijan Airlines crash in Kazakhstan, believed to have been caused by Russian air defense, is being sent to Brazil for investigation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Visits Syria
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus on December 30, marking the first official Ukrainian delegation to Syria in years. During his trip, he held talks with Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
Ukraine Receives International Aid
The Ukrainian Finance Ministry received $41.7 billion in international aid in 2024, according to Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko. The United States also made a $3.4 billion payment in direct budget support to Ukraine.
New Security Assistance Package for Ukraine
The United States announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine worth nearly $2.5 billion on December 30. This aid will help Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that the United States will provide Ukraine with $15 billion, backed by future revenues from frozen Russian assets.
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