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The Kyiv Independent’s contributor Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke spent a day with a mobile team from the State Emergency Service in Nikopol in the south of Ukraine as they responded to relentless drone, artillery, and mortar strikes from Russian forces just across the Dnipro River. Nikopol is located across from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Enerhodar.

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Politico: EU sees Hungary's blockage of 18 billion euros for Ukraine as 'blackmail'

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Budapest is blocking Ukraine's 18 billion support package to put pressure on Brussels and prevent the freezing of money for Hungary over its democratic backsliding, Politico reported, citing four EU officials and diplomats who see this move as a "blackmail tactic."

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Hungary "shouldn't play poker" in this situation, which concerns "saving lives" as up to 40% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure was destroyed.

Baerbock said the aid package must be approved quickly as "winter is just around the corner."

The European Commission proposed an 18 billion support package on Nov. 9 to assist Ukraine with paying for essential public services, maintaining macroeconomic stability, and restoring critical infrastructure destroyed by Russian attacks.

Hungary didn't support the aid package at an EU ambassadors' meeting on the same day, according to three officials cited by Politico. The EU can't allocate the money without the backing of all 27 union countries, as the budget rules require unanimity.

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The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

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