Team

Martin Fornusek

Reporter

Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing 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.

m.fornusek@kyivindependent.com

For media & speaking inquiries:
press@kyivindependent.com

Articles

Europe

Hungary opposes scaling down EU protections for Ukrainian men

by Martin FornusekJune 30, 2026

Even if the decision is adopted at the EU level, it will not prevent Budapest from accepting ethnic Hungarians fleeing Ukraine because of the war or mobilization, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said.

Europe

UK unveils landmark defense plan, incorporating lessons from Ukraine

by Martin FornusekJune 30, 2026

The plan, backed by 300 billion pounds ($400 billion) in funding over four years, is part of a drive toward a more "European NATO" and will help the British forces deter the Russian threat, outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

Europe

EU sends Ukraine 3.9 billion euros for drones under major support loan

by Martin FornusekJune 30, 2026

The payment is part of the initial 6-billion-euro ($7-billion) tranche dedicated to drone procurement under the 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) Ukraine Support Loan.

Europe

Ukraine backed out of MiGs-for-drones deal, Polish minister claims

by Martin FornusekJune 30, 2026

"I proposed what I believe was a very fair, partnership-based approach: MiGs in exchange for drones," Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said. "The Ukrainians initially accepted it but did not follow through, so there are no MiGs for Ukraine because there are no drones, or drone capabilities, for Poland."

Politics

Kuwait approves defense deal with Ukraine amid fresh Iranian strikes

by Martin FornusekJune 28, 2026

Kyiv has been deepening security partnerships across the Gulf region, offering to bolster local defenses against Iranian drones.

Politics

Ukraine says 'Spirit of Anchorage' is 'dead,' Russia must face reality in peace talks

by Martin Fornusek, The Kyiv Independent news deskJune 28, 2026

"If the 'Spirit of Anchorage' even existed, it is certainly dead now," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, mocking Russia's claims about an "understanding" reached during last year's summit with the U.S. in Alaska.

Politics

Rubio says no Ukraine agreement reached at Alaska summit, contradicting Moscow's claims

by Martin FornusekJune 25, 2026

"There was no agreement in Alaska. There was a proposal, but there was no agreement," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. "If there had been an agreement, we would have had an end to the war."

President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, Poland, on Dec. 19, 2025.

Europe

Polish PM Tusk caught between Kyiv and Warsaw as Ukraine rift deepens

by Martin FornusekJune 24, 2026

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is in a tough spot. The liberal pro-EU, pro-Ukraine prime minister is looking at a country increasingly at odds with both. In recent weeks, ties between Kyiv and Warsaw have sharply deteriorated after President Volodymyr Zelensky named a military unit in honor of the World War II–era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), prompting his Polish counterpart to revoke the country's highest state honor previously awarded to the Ukrainian president. The unfolding row saw Z

KI Disinfo Check

Fact check: Russian disinformation takes aim at Poland-Ukraine rift

by Martin FornusekJune 23, 2026

A Russian-linked disinformation operation seeks to fan Polish-Ukrainian tensions amid the latest rift over historical grievances, a monitoring group told the Kyiv Independent on June 23.

Politics

In joint appeal, Ukrainian and Polish media sound alarm over crisis in relations

by Martin FornusekJune 23, 2026

Six Polish and Ukrainian media outlets issued a rare joint appeal on June 23, warning that escalating tensions between the two countries risk playing into Russia's hands.

Europe

Polish president not invited to Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Kyiv calls it 'internal matter'

by Martin FornusekJune 22, 2026

Polish President Karol Nawrocki is "not going to the event, to which he wasn't invited by Prime Minister Donald Tusk," a senior Polish presidential aide said.

Europe

Polish Senate deputy speaker returns Ukrainian state awards amid deepening rift

by Martin FornusekJune 22, 2026

Michal Kaminski linked his decision to "the actions and statements of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, which were supported by all former presidents of Ukraine and the vast majority of the Ukrainian political class."

Europe

Drone carrying explosives found in Estonia after Ukrainian strike on Russia

by Martin FornusekJune 22, 2026

Estonian officials said the crashed drone may be linked to a Ukrainian aerial attack against northwestern Russia on June 3.

Europe

Polish president's office explains revoking Zelensky's award while Mussolini's, Schroeder's stands

by Martin FornusekJune 22, 2026

Benito Mussolini is long dead and Poland does not revoke the order posthumously, while Gerhard Schroeder "has never insulted the Polish nation as overtly as the Ukrainian president did," said Agnieszka Jedrzak, undersecretary of state at the Polish Presidential Office.

Europe

Starmer 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine' Zelensky says, after British PM announces resignation

by Martin FornusekJune 22, 2026

The departure is likely to trigger a leadership contest and deepen political uncertainty in one of Ukraine's most vital allies.

Editors' Picks

Tusk (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister Svyrydenko (R) at the URC 2026 in Gdansk, Poland, on June 25, 2026.

Martin Fornusek

Articles

Hungary opposes scaling down EU protections for Ukrainian men

UK unveils landmark defense plan, incorporating lessons from Ukraine

EU sends Ukraine 3.9 billion euros for drones under major support loan

Ukraine backed out of MiGs-for-drones deal, Polish minister claims

Kuwait approves defense deal with Ukraine amid fresh Iranian strikes

Ukraine says 'Spirit of Anchorage' is 'dead,' Russia must face reality in peace talks

Rubio says no Ukraine agreement reached at Alaska summit, contradicting Moscow's claims

Polish PM Tusk caught between Kyiv and Warsaw as Ukraine rift deepens

Fact check: Russian disinformation takes aim at Poland-Ukraine rift

In joint appeal, Ukrainian and Polish media sound alarm over crisis in relations

Polish president not invited to Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Kyiv calls it 'internal matter'

Polish Senate deputy speaker returns Ukrainian state awards amid deepening rift

Drone carrying explosives found in Estonia after Ukrainian strike on Russia

Polish president's office explains revoking Zelensky's award while Mussolini's, Schroeder's stands

Starmer 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine' Zelensky says, after British PM announces resignation

Editors' Picks

Zelensky-Nawrocki feud fails to overshadow Ukraine’s biggest recovery conference yet

'This is unusual' – How Ukrainian strikes upended Crimea's tourist season

Long-awaited military reform falls short as troops express continued frustration

Ukraine turns to strangling Russian logistics in Crimea — and it's working