Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis talks to media prior to an EU Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting on May 22, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
European countries should stop saying that they will "support Ukraine for as long as it takes" and plan for a Ukrainian victory, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Aug. 31.
"Supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes" should be replaced by "supporting Ukraine to its victory," he explained.
Landsbergis added that "if we are unable to say this, it is because there are other options in our mind, and the only other option is Putin's victory."
This scenario would spell a disaster "not just for my country," the minister warned, but for the European Union and areas beyond, such as the Black Sea.
European countries must therefore be more specific and open about supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, Landsbergis believes.
"We have to be with Ukraine until Ukrainian victory," he said, adding that "we want this to happen as soon as possible, not 'whenever'."
Landsbergis made the comments upon arrival at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Toledo, Spain.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is also attending the meeting, following visits to France and Czech Republic earlier this week.
Lithuania is one of Ukraine's strongest allies. President Gitanas Nausėda made an official visit to Kyiv for its Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 24.
Vilnius has supplied Ukraine with more than half a billion euros in military support since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.
