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
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."
Zelensky to visit Greece on weekend to sign energy deal, source says
President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to visit Greece over the weekend to sign an agreement in the energy sector, a source close to the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 13.
Georgia's imprisoned ex-leader asks Zelensky for status of 'civilian captive' in Russia-Ukraine war
Saakashvili requested the status "with the corresponding legal consequences," adding that "Ukrainians never abandon their own." Kyiv has previously managed to free civilian Ukrainian captives during exchanges with Moscow.
Rubio says Hungary received only 1-year sanctions waiver on Russian oil, gas
Rubio also confirmed that the U.S. is not interfering in the expansion of a Hungarian nuclear power plant by a Russian company. "We want them to be able to complete it because we want them (Hungary) to be energy independent," he said.
Nordics, Baltics pledge $500 million arms package for Ukraine under NATO-led scheme
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden have agreed on a joint arms donation intended to strengthen "air defense and support for the Ukrainian Air Force," the Danish Defense Ministry said.
Russia, Kazakhstan sign strategic partnership declaration
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the document, signed during his visit to Russia, would "open a new era in bilateral relations" between Moscow and Astana.
Ukraine's foreign minister meets Rubio, other G7 partners to push for defense, energy support
After talking to Rubio at the G7 meeting in Canada, Sybiha praised Trump's "peace efforts and very effective energy sanctions against Russia."
UK backchannel contacts failed to develop, Kremlin says
The comments follow reporting by the Financial Times (FT) that British national security advisor Jonathan Powell tried to open a backchannel with Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov earlier this year.
EU tightening visa rules for Russian nationals, citing security risks
The European Commission adopted stricter rules on issuing visas to Russian citizens, who will be largely banned from receiving multi-entry visas, the EU announced on Nov. 7.
