Updated: Belarus cracks down ahead of January election, over 100 people detained
Belarusian authorities have initiated a wave of arrests ahead of January’s election, Viasna human rights center reported on Nov. 6.
Sonya Bandouil
Articles
Warsaw to host international conference on rebuilding Ukraine's energy infrastructure
The ReBuild Ukraine 4.0 conference will convene on November 13-14, 2024, in Warsaw, Poland, Odesa Journal reported on Nov. 6.
Thousands in Tbilisi rally again in protest of recent parliamentary elections
Thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside Georgia's parliament on Nov. 4 for the second consecutive Monday, protesting the Oct. 26 election, which they allege was rigged with Russian assistance to favor the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Ukraine to receive $600 million from World Bank under RISE Initiative
Ukraine has signed agreements with the World Bank totaling nearly $600 million under the "Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprise" (RISE) project, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Nov. 4.
Slovak president denies all requests from citizens wanting to fight in Ukraine
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini recently rejected all four requests from Slovak citizens wishing to join Ukraine's armed forces, Slovak media source TASR reported on Nov. 3.
Sandu wins Moldovan elections, defeating pro-Russian challenger
With nearly 99% of votes counted, pro-EU incumbent President Maia Sandu held a 9-point lead over Alexandr Stoianoglo, according to Moldova's election commission.
Over 200 Russian drones shot down by US-funded mobile fire teams since January, US ambassador reports
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said on Nov. 3 that the U.S. State Department has funded 800 mobile fire teams in Ukraine, which have shot down over 200 Russian drones since January 2024.
Ukraine needs 500,000 more troops amid slowing mobilization, senior lawmaker says
Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary defense committee, stated on Nov. 2 that in his view it is necessary to mobilize 500,000 citizens, given current battlefield conditions.
Over 45 countries pledge support at Montreal conference for total return of Ukrainians captured and deported to Russia
Following the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension of the Peace Formula in Montreal, over 45 countries signed a pledge on Oct. 31 in support of facilitating the return of all Ukrainian captives and deportees.
Negotiations between Ukraine and China underway to expand agricultural exports
Ukraine is currently in discussions with China to expand exports of various agricultural products, according to Oleh Osiian, the First Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.
Russian drone debris hits residential building in Kyiv, 9 injured
Russian drones targeted Kyiv during an overnight attack on Oct. 30, city authorities reported.
Hungarian FM to attend and speak at Eurasian security conference in Belarus this week
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto is set to speak at the Minsk Conference on Eurasian Security in Belarus on October 31.
Ukrainian and Russian officials to resume discussions on stopping energy plant attacks, FT reports
Ukraine and Russia are reportedly holding preliminary discussions about stopping attacks on each other's energy infrastructure, the Financial Times reported on Oct. 29.
Moscow court sentences Ukrainian-born film producer to 8 and a half years in absentia for reporting on Russian war crimes
Moscow's Basmanny district court sentenced Ukrainian film producer Alexander Rodnyansky, on Oct. 21, to 8 and a half years in absentia for "spreading fake information" about the Russian Army.
Germany's Finance Minister suggests revising legal status and benefits for Ukrainian refugees
Germany's Finance Minister Christian Lindner has proposed reevaluating the legal status of Ukrainian refugees, German magazine Wirtschaftswoche reported on Oct. 23.
Russia-linked disinformation campaign spreads false claims about Tim Walz, US intelligence officials say
Russian disinformation groups have been linked to viral attacks targeting Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a U.S. intelligence official said on Oct. 22.
Turkey quietly curbs military goods exports to Russia following US warning, FT reports
Turkey has quietly blocked the export of U.S.-origin military goods to Russia following a warning from Washington, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Oct. 22.
Polish officials seek access to classified sections of Ukraine's victory plan
Warsaw is seeking to review the classified additions to Ukraine's victory plan recently presented by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewsk said in an interview on Oct. 21.
Russia executed 2 Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutors say
Russian soldiers executed two captured Ukrainian soldiers near Selydove in Donetsk Oblast, the Donetsk regional prosecutor's office reported on Oct.21.
Cargo plane shot down in Sudan, Russian nationals possibly on board
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed to have shot down a cargo plane in Darfur, with speculation that Russian nationals may have been on board.
Moldova votes in election, EU referendum amid alleged Russian interference
Moldova's upcoming presidential election and EU referendum on Oct. 20 are seen as critical in determining its future direction toward European Union integration.
Ukraine’s NATO membership on 'irreversible path,' G7 defense ministers reaffirm
Defense ministers of the G7 countries reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine's integration into NATO, according to the joint statement following their meeting in Naples on Oct. 19.
US Intelligence Chairman urges immediate action on North Korean troop movements in Ukraine
"U.S. Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Michael R. Turner appealed to President Joseph Biden on Oct. 18 to respond immediately to reports of North Korea's troops preparing to join Russia's army fighting in Ukraine.
Two Russian nationals face charges for distributing Wagner Group flyers in Krakow
The Krakow District Court has begun the trial of two Russian nationals, Andrei G. and Aleksei T., who were allegedly hired by the Wagner Group to distribute flyers in Krakow, Poland encouraging people to join the organization.
Ukraine urges international support in landmine clearance efforts at Swiss conference
At the annual Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Switzerland, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal urged the international community to increase support for demining efforts, during his address on Oct. 17.
Norway announces more than $270 million in aid for Ukraine's energy sector
Norway has increased its total support for Ukraine’s energy sector to 3 billion kroner (around $274.2 million) as part of its broader aid plan, according to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ukrainians in occupied territories to lose free medication without Russian passports
Starting in 2025, Ukrainians with diabetes, bronchial asthma, and other illnesses in Russian-occupied territories will lose access to free medications unless they acquire Russian passports, according to the Eastern Human Rights Group.
Pro-Kremlin lawmaker from Fico's party visits Moscow, apologizes for EU policies
Lubos Blaha, a senior lawmaker from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian Smer (Direction) party, visited Moscow on Oct. 12.
EU mission to train military in Ukraine to be extended by two years, Borrell says
On Oct. 14, Josep Borrell confirmed plans to extend the EUMAM mandate for another two years, pending approval from the EU Council.
Poland’s 2025 EU presidency to focus on Ukraine’s integration and EU expansion, Duda says
Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that a key priority of Poland's EU presidency in early 2025 will be the European integration of Ukraine and maintaining an "open door to Europe" policy for new members.
EU officials considering reform to bypass Hungary’s blockade on Ukraine defense funds
A proposed reform of the European Peace Facility (EPF) would make financial contributions voluntary, aiming to bypass Hungary's veto on military aid to Ukraine, which has caused a 6.5 billion euro ($7 billion) backlog.
Norway allocates more than $87 million to increase weapons production for Ukraine
Norway’s government will allocate up to 967 million kroner (around $87.5 million) to enhance its defense industry, with a focus on supporting Ukraine amidst Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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