Team
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
Serbia’s indirect arms sales to Ukraine highlight fractures in its longstanding relationship with Russia
Serbia's foreign policy has long been one of multiple vectors, rooted in a balancing act between the West, Russia, and China.
But the war in Ukraine and mounting pressure from both sides suggest this strategy may no longer be sustainable.
Caught between U.S. sanctions, stalled EU accession, and Russian gas blackmail, Belgrade uses indirect arms sales to Ukraine as leverage — as well as a chance to fill the pockets of Serbian arms makers.
Just months after freezing arms exports under pressure
As reparations loan talks stall, EU proposes 90 billion euro grant to cover Ukraine's financing needs
Based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates, the EU expects that if the Russia-Ukraine war ends in 2026, Kyiv will face a financial gap of 135.7 billion euros ($157 billion) in the 2026-2027 period.
Poland reopens 2 border crossings with Belarus after their years-long closure
Poland reopened the Kuznica and Bobrowniki crossings with Belarus after they had been closed for years, citing economic reasons and strengthened security along the eastern frontier.
Romania evacuates border village after Russian drone struck LPG tanker at Ukrainian port
Between 100 and 150 people are to be evacuated from the Plauru village, which lies just across the Danube River from the Ukrainian port city of Izmail, hit by a Russian drone attack overnight.
Poland says 2 Ukrainians tied to Russian intel likely behind railway sabotage
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said both suspects crossed into Belarus shortly after the explosion.
Ukraine to purchase 100 Rafale jets, Zelensky says after signing defense declaration with Macron
Zelensky told TF1-LCI news channel that Ukraine aims to buy 100 Dassault-made Rafale fighters, a 4.5-generation multirole aircraft.
Mike Pompeo joins advisory board of scrutinized Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point
Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of a Ukrainian defense company known for its Flamingo long-range missiles, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Nov. 17, citing the company's executives.
A Czech dilemma: Ukrainian ammunition program in limbo as populist coalition takes power in Prague
With Czechia's new government coalition likely to take office in the coming weeks, the question of the country's landmark ammunition initiative for Kyiv remains unanswered.
Populist billionaire Andrej Babis, whose ANO party ousted the pro-Ukraine cabinet of Prime Minister Petr Fiala in the October parliamentary election, has lambasted the project as overpriced and non-transparent.
Neither Prague nor its partners, however, have put forward a definite plan on keeping the scheme operational in it
Trump administration may deport around 80 Ukrainians over 'violations of US law,' envoy says
If carried out, the deportation would mark the highest number of Ukrainians removed from the U.S. in recent years, the Washington Post reported.
Azerbaijan protests to Russia over Kyiv embassy damaged in Russian missile attack
An Iskander-type missile fell on the embassy's territory, causing an explosion that damaged its facilities and service vehicles, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said.
German parliament's budget committee supports hiking Ukraine aid to 11.5 billion euros in 2026
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also announced that Berlin has agreed to allocate an additional 150 million euros ($175 million) in military aid to Kyiv under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative.
Hungary to sue EU over ban on Russian gas
"We do not accept this obviously unlawful solution contrary to European values," Orban said on a weekly radio show. "We are turning to the European Court of Justice."
Macron to host Zelensky in Paris on Nov. 17 to discuss French support as 'historic agreement' is finalized
The two leaders will discuss bilateral cooperation in the "energy, economic, and defense fields," as well as progress in preparing security guarantees for Ukraine under the "Coalition of the Willing" framework.
Suspicious drone sightings reported at key French gunpowder factory
An unidentified drone was sighted over a gunpowder plant in southwestern France on Nov. 12, following similar incidents just two days earlier, BFM TV reported, citing prosecutors.
Merz asks Zelensky to reduce outflow of young Ukrainian men to Germany
Following a phone call with Zelensky, Merz said that young Ukrainian men should remain to "serve in their own country."
