EU agrees to €90 billion loan for Ukraine, without frozen Russian assets

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared a state of emergency in the energy sector as the country faces severe power disruptions due to extensive Russian attacks, with nighttime temperatures plunging to nearly -20C. Emergency crews are working tirelessly to restore heating and power supplies amid these harsh winter conditions.

Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine's former Prime Minister, has been accused of bribery by anti-corruption investigators, who allege she orchestrated a scheme involving members of parliament, including those from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's party. This accusation adds to the ongoing scrutiny of political figures in Ukraine amid a backdrop of corruption investigations.

The French government successfully navigated two no-confidence votes from hard left and far right parties, which criticized its handling of the EU-Mercosur trade deal approved last week. French farmers have expressed concerns that the deal will undermine local agriculture by introducing cheaper imports from South America.

Hungary's president has announced that the next parliamentary election will take place on April 12th, marking a significant moment as the political landscape is already becoming highly competitive, particularly between Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his main opponent. The official campaign is set to begin in a month, but early polling indicates a close race.

For the first time since the end of World War II, France has reported more deaths than births, with 651,000 deaths compared to 645,000 births in 2025, indicating a significant demographic shift. This trend suggests that France's historical demographic advantage within the EU is diminishing as the nation grapples with an ageing population and declining birth rates.

The European Union has committed to providing Ukraine with a substantial $105 billion loan, aimed primarily at enabling the country to purchase weapons and military platforms from European manufacturers, reinforcing its defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict.

Ukraine is set to gain access to a €90 billion EU loan, enabling the purchase of military equipment from non-European suppliers, as outlined by the European Commission. This financial support is contingent on Russia paying reparations, with discussions about utilizing frozen Russian assets still ongoing.

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2025 has been recorded as the third hottest year, following 2024, with no significant cooling anticipated. The report highlights that the last 11 years have been the warmest on record, underscoring the ongoing climate crisis. In India, the national meteorological department noted that 2025 experienced the warmest winter in over a century.