Displaying items by tag: Volodymyr Zelenskyy

During a visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Odesa, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's port city, resulting in at least five deaths. The strike, confirmed by a Ukrainian navy spokesperson, targeted a hangar reportedly housing Ukrainian naval drones. This assault coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's guided tour for Mitsotakis, showcasing the war-induced devastation. On March 2, a drone attack in the same city had killed 12 people, including five children. The latest strike, as described by the Russian Defence Ministry, successfully hit its intended target. President Zelenskyy, in response to the attack, highlighted the indiscriminate nature of Russian strikes. Mitsotakis experienced the immediacy of war, noting the stark difference between hearing about the conflict and witnessing it firsthand. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the attack, calling it a "vile" act and a new form of terror by Russia. This attack marks a continuation of Russia's intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports, particularly following their withdrawal from a UN-brokered agreement that facilitated the safe passage of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Hungary's ruling party, Fidesz, has submitted a resolution opposing Ukraine's accession talks with the European Union (EU). Fidesz, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, cited concerns about the treatment of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine, particularly regarding language rights and education. The resolution calls for a halt to Ukraine's EU accession process until these issues are resolved. Hungary has been critical of Ukraine's policies towards its Hungarian minority for years, and this move adds to the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Ukraine has been seeking closer ties with the EU, but Hungary's opposition could complicate those efforts. On 7 December, Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff called for a meeting between Orban and Zelensky, in an attempt to resolve the problem before next week’s meeting of EU states.

On 5 December Volodymyr Zelensky called off a high-profile video briefing with US lawmakers amid an impasse over future funding for the country. This came after a top Ukrainian official warned they might lose the war against Russia if more US military aid is not approved. Despite a push by the White House, Congress is still not close to a deal on a compromise spending package that would help fund the war effort. Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker, said, ‘The Administration has failed to substantively address any of my conference's legitimate concerns about the lack of a clear strategy in Ukraine, a path to resolving the conflict, or a plan for adequately ensuring accountability for aid provided by American taxpayers.’ This setback comes as fighting on the frontlines appears to have more or less reached a stalemate. Ukraine's much-anticipated counter-offensive in the south appears to have slowed down, and they are struggling to maintain a foothold they had established on the east bank of the Dnipro river.

The UK has agreed to send hundreds of long-range missiles and armed drones to Ukraine. This is on top of last week's decision to provide Kyiv with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. These moves mean the UK is going further than any other country in providing weapons with the potential to tip the war in Ukraine's favour. President Zelenskyy met Rishi Sunak at Chequers for two hours of talks as part of his tour of Western allies in preparation for the much-anticipated counter-offensive against Russia. If Ukraine can destroy Russia's command centres, logistics hubs and ammunition depots in occupied territory, it may prove impossible for Moscow to continue resupplying its frontline troops. Mr Zelenskyy said the Ukraine and UK are ‘real partners’.