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 speaks to members of Ukraine's diplomatic service on Dec. 22, 2023. (President of Ukraine)
President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined Ukraine's foreign policy goals for the upcoming year in a speech to members of Ukraine's diplomatic service on Dec. 22.
Amid concerns over the growing precarity of support from the U.S., Zelensky highlighted the need to increase long-term support programs for Ukraine, which will be "key to the stability of our country during the war."
Another important goal is increasing domestic arms production and weapons deliveries from abroad "because no one is going to give up," Zelensky said.
"Each of you who can help Ukraine ramp up the production of weapons, shells, equipment, and air defense in Ukraine or enhance relevant cooperation with partners must do so," he told the diplomats.
Sanctions against Russia "should also be constantly strengthened," while Ukraine should work with international partners to continue to find, freeze, and confiscate Russian assets.
Zelensky referred to the European Union's 12th package of sanctions against Russia, which the EU Council adopted on Dec. 18.
Another goal is further integration with the EU "in all areas," including developing a negotiation framework following the EU Council's decision to launch accession talks with Ukraine on Dec. 14.
An overwhelming majority of Ukrainians are in favor of joining both the EU and NATO, according to a recent poll.
Regarding NATO and Euro-Atlantic integration, Zelensky said that Ukraine needs a "key to the decision on the Alliance for Ukraine."
"This key should be sought not only in top-level political offices. We need to convince societies, just as we were able to unite them around Ukraine at the very beginning of the war. We need to convince their hearts," Zelensky said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Nov. 29 that Ukraine "is closer to NATO than ever before," having made significant progress in implementing the reforms required for NATO membership.
Ukrainian agricultural exports will be crucial, as well as the development of ties with Latin America, Africa, Arab, and Asian countries and spreading awareness of Ukraine's peace formula, Zelensky said.
Elsa Court is the audience development manager at the Kyiv Independence. She previously worked as a news editor at the Kyiv Independent and was previously an intern at the Kyiv Post. She has a Master’s in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from Utrecht University. Elsa is originally from the UK.
Richard Haass
