Kuwait approves defense deal with Ukraine amid fresh Iranian strikes
Kyiv has been deepening security partnerships across the Gulf region, offering to bolster local defenses against Iranian drones.
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Martin Fornusek
ReporterMartin 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.
Articles
Ukraine says 'Spirit of Anchorage' is 'dead,' Russia must face reality in peace talks
"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.
Rubio says no Ukraine agreement reached at Alaska summit, contradicting Moscow's claims
"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."
Polish PM Tusk caught between Kyiv and Warsaw as Ukraine rift deepens
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
Fact check: Russian disinformation takes aim at Poland-Ukraine rift
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.
In joint appeal, Ukrainian and Polish media sound alarm over crisis in relations
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.
Polish president not invited to Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Kyiv calls it 'internal matter'
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.
Polish Senate deputy speaker returns Ukrainian state awards amid deepening rift
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."
Drone carrying explosives found in Estonia after Ukrainian strike on Russia
Estonian officials said the crashed drone may be linked to a Ukrainian aerial attack against northwestern Russia on June 3.
Polish president's office explains revoking Zelensky's award while Mussolini's, Schroeder's stands
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.
Starmer 'always a welcome guest in Ukraine' Zelensky says, after British PM announces resignation
The departure is likely to trigger a leadership contest and deepen political uncertainty in one of Ukraine's most vital allies.
How Estonia prepares for possible Russian attack
The Kyiv Independent's Martin Fornusek travels across Estonia, from the streets of Tallinn to military exercises near the Russian border, to see how the Baltic country is preparing for potential threats.
Trump-aligned movement fractures as wars in Ukraine, Iran expose ideological divide
A widening split inside the online pro-Trump political ecosystem is exposing a growing ideological fracture over U.S. foreign policy, particularly America's war against Iran and Russia's all-out assault on Ukraine.
What some analysts and participants describe as a "MAGA civil war" has emerged as a visible rupture within the American conservative movement, dividing former allies of U.S. President Donald Trump who have turned sharply critical of his foreign policy positions from those who remain
Russia's recruitment system nears breaking point, forcing debate over forced mobilization
As Russian battlefield gains slow and recruitment drive falters, Ukraine is warning that the Kremlin may finally reach for the measure it has long resisted — a forced mobilization.
According to Kyiv, Moscow is preparing to call up tens of thousands of fresh soldiers to offset its climbing battlefield losses.
But analysts believe Russia would only take that gamble in case of an imminent front-line collapse, or a sweeping pivot to a war economy — one that could signal preparations to push the co
EU confirms launch of formal accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15, Zelensky welcomes move
"We will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 12. "It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions."
