The Kyiv Independent Live in London: 
Estonia bans transit of Russian, Belarusian grain
"Russia attacks Ukrainian ports, blocks Ukraine's grain exports, and then looks for new routes for its own grain," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on X. "Estonia will not provide one."
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Martin Fornusek
Assistant EditorMartin Fornusek is an assistant editor at the Kyiv Independent. Until recently, Martin held the role of foreign affairs reporter specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, focusing on developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.
Articles
The way out of Ukraine's deadlock with Magyar
Ukrainian officials had looked for a reset with Budapest after Viktor Orban's defeat. Instead, Hungary's new prime minister, Peter Magyar, has taken a hard line of his own.
After a promising start, Budapest is yet again stalling Kyiv's EU bid until Ukraine puts into effect earlier agreements on the rights of its roughly 80,000-strong Hungarian community.
As the standoff has dragged on, Magyar has raised the stakes: he skipped the Ukraine-hosted Carpathian summit, traded barbs with Ukrainian of
Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream sabotage requests asylum in Croatia
Croatian authorities detained scuba diver Volodymyr Zhuravliov on Aug. 19 under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany in connection with the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines.
Estonia says Russia responsible for arson attack against defense tech company
Estonia can say "with certainty" that the attack overnight on Aug. 15 "was an act of sabotage ordered by the special services of the Russian Federation," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in a statement shared with the Kyiv Independent.
How Ukraine angered South Korea — and why it matters
Ukraine just angered another partner — one sitting on an arsenal of weapons that Kyiv wants.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Sept. 23 announcement at the U.N. General Assembly that Ukraine’s two North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) were sent to South Korea was not well received in Seoul.
"It was appropriate in every aspect not to disclose, considering the many problems it may cause when disclosed, and (we) had agreed to do so," South Korean President Lee Jae Myung responded, claiming that Kyiv
EU approves major defense projects plan, with Ukraine featuring prominently
The projects aim to address the EU's shortfalls in key defense areas, namely air defense, maritime security, space, drone and counter-drone capabilities, and security along the EU's eastern flank.
French far right gains ground in Senate months before presidential election
France's National Rally (RN) party and its allies secured a record 14 seats in France's 348-seat Senate, a result RN co-leader Marine Le Pen hailed as a "historic victory."
'No longer hybrid' — As Russian sabotage grows bolder, Europe lacks red lines
Moscow's shadow war on Europe grows bolder by the day, and no one can say how far the Kremlin is ready to go.
Russia is no longer only meddling in elections or hacking networks: Germany found explosives-laden drones at its Leipzig Airport in an apparent Moscow-backed sabotage plot. Russian drone incursions in NATO airspace are now common. And a Russian warship shot flares at a Danish military helicopter.
The rhetoric in Western capitals has hardened, with some saying this campaign is "no longe
Europe's crackdown halves shadow fleet ships sailing under false flags, report says
Sanctions and detentions have forced 107 shadow vessels to join the Russian flag registry since January 2025, leaving them with few other options as open ship registries tighten oversight, a CREA report said.
What Trump’s tariffs could mean for Russia and China
How much pressure can Donald Trump’s new tariffs place on Russia’s war economy? A new U.S. law gives the president the power to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian energy, while also strengthening sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet.
Ukraine 'ready for energy ceasefire,' Zelensky says after meeting Trump at UN
"We are ready for any kind of format of energy ceasefire. ... I don't know the Russian position," Zelensky said after meeting directly with Trump at the U.N.
Trump says he'll use Graham bill's Russia sanctions 'if necessary'
"Last week, in honor of Senator Lindsey Graham, I signed a powerful new law passed by Congress, providing me with enormous new tariff authorities," Trump said in his address at the U.N. General Assembly in New York. "And, if necessary, I will have to use them. It's time to stop the killing."
Lukashenko dampens Trump's hopes for Belarusian potash
“Even if we wanted to supply (potash) to Western markets, we simply do not have those volumes — everything is contracted," Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said.
Zelensky meets Macron to discuss air defenses, winter support
"We are also ready to secure additional SAMP/T air defense systems and missiles for them using the financial resources available through the EU loan," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky arrives in US for high-stakes Trump meeting, UN General Assembly
In addition to conferring with Trump, Zelensky said that around 20 other meetings with officials and organizations were planned. He also announced that a new deal concerning drones was ready to be signed.
