Explaining: Ukraine’s agri-sector development, new sanctions on Russia, UNESCO special monitoring

DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

Ukraine's agricultural sector reached several historical records in 2024 despite the full-scale war.

● This year, Ukrainian farmers produced 6 million tonnes of soybeans, a new record in Ukraine's history.

● By the end of 2024, Ukraine's sugar exports will exceed 700,000 tonnes, the highest level since 2000.

● According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, following the increase in the military tax rate and changes to the criteria for identifying critically important enterprises, the state budget will receive an additional 5.2 billion hryvnias from the agricultural sector.

● As of November this year, Ukraine's agricultural sector has incurred $13 billion in direct losses due to the full-scale invasion.

● Russian propaganda spreads the myth that Ukraine's agricultural sector supposedly "threatens" farmers in EU countries.

● The Ukrainian agricultural sector can contribute to the EU's economic strengthening and global food security.

NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA

On 11 December, EU ambassadors agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia.

● The 15th package of sanctions will include new measures against the Russian “shadow fleet”

● Russia's "shadow fleet" refers to a group of tankers used  circumvent international sanctions, facilitating the export of oil and petroleum products.

● The total number of such tankers exceeds 600, facilitating over 90% of Russian oil sales without adhering to the $60-per-barrel price cap.

● Sanctions are also planned against individuals and organizations from Russia and third countries that indirectly contribute to Russia's military and technological strengthening by circumventing export restrictions.

● Strengthening and refining sanctions against Russia is an effective mechanism for deterring the aggressor and reducing its ability to continue the war against Ukraine.

UNESCO SPECIAL MONITORING

On December 11, during the 19th session of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, a decision was made to urgent implement a special monitoring mechanism for the Derzhprom building.

● The House of State Industry (Derzhprom) is a constructivist building in Kharkiv that has the status of a national monument.

● In 2017, the Derzhprom building was added to the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage, and in 2023, it was included in the list of cultural properties under enhanced protection by UNESCO.

● On November 8, 2024, the Derzhprom building was heavily damaged as a result of another Russian attack.

● The special monitoring mechanism will allow for the proper collection of evidence of Russian crime in order to bring the perpetrators to justice in the future.

● The deliberate targeting of cultural and historical heritage sites is part of Russia's criminal policy of destroying Ukrainian identity.