Melkonyants was arrested in August 2023 in connection with the activities of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), which was co-founded by Golos's legal predecessor, the Golos association.
Ukraine's underground storage facilities are currently using 19.4% of their capacity. Almost 32%, or 2.79 bcm, less gas is available in the storages than in the previous year, according to the estimates.
The majority of Ukrainians, 71%, do not support holding elections before a full peace deal, even in the case of a ceasefire and security guarantees, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on May 14.
"He'd like me to be there, and that's a possibility. ... I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Qatar, Reuters reported.
Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending, previously calling for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP.
More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Kyiv during Iwaya's unannounced trip to the capital on Nov. 16, 2024. (President's Office/web)
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comments made by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha following his meeting with Iwaya.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Nov. 16 during an unannounced visit to the capital, marking his first trip to Ukraine since being appointed to the post in September.
According to a statement from the President's Office, Zelensky and Iwaya discussed a number of topics in support of Ukraine, including Japan's concern regarding the presence of North Korean troops along Ukraine's eastern front.
"In light of what is happening with the intervention of the North Korean military in Russia's war against Ukraine, it is important to discuss how to prevent further escalation by Russia, already together with North Korea," Zelensky said in a statement.
Training alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast, the first North Korean soldiers stationed in the region reportedly came under fire on Nov. 4.
During the meeting, Iwaya noted that "Japan stands with Ukraine," echoing a statement released by Group of Seven (G7) reaffirming their "unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes" and commitment to "severe costs" for Russia on Nov. 16.
Iwaya further emphasized that Japan is committed to further strengthening relations with Ukraine, including the expansion of economic cooperation, as well as applying additional sanctions against Russia.
Zelensky and Iwaya also discussed Ukraine's "Peace Formula" as well as Zelensky's five-point victory plan.
"Japan supports the early realization of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, as set out in the victory plan," Iwaya said, according to a readout released by Japan's foreign ministry.
Earlier in the day, Iwaya met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha following a visit to Bucha — a suburb northwest of Kyiv, occupied by Russian troops shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine which saw some of Russia's worst atrocities against civilians during the war.
During a press conference with Iwaya following the meeting, Sybiha emphasized that the presence of North Korean troops poses a threat not only to Europe but to Southeast Asian countries.
"It is not only Russia that receives drones, missiles, and soldiers. In return, Moscow strengthens Tehran and Pyongyang," Sybiha said.
No information was provided by either country as to any specific agreements reached at the meetings.
The meeting marks the first trip to Kyiv by a Japanese minister since Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba took office last month. During the meeting with Iwaya, Zelensky invited Ishiba to a visit of the country.
Japan has played a key role in providing support to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, delivering nearly $12 billion in support for the embattled country. Ukraine's finance ministry said on Nov. 15 that Japan has provided a total of $6.3 billion in external budget financing for the embattled nation.
Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Dmytro Basmat
