Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of the European Political Community Summit held in Budapest on November 7, said that Europe must be united and adopt an “approach of peace through strength” to confront aggression from Russia and their allies.
European leaders gathered in Budapest amid increasing uncertainty over what Donald Trump‘s win in the U.S. elections will mean for allied security in Europe and Ukraine.
There are fears that the new U.S. President might reduce his support for Ukraine in order to reach a deal with Russia at the expense of Ukraine’s concessions.
Zelensky, recalling his recent telephone call with Trump expressed uncertainty about U.S. future actions but expressed hope for a stronger America that Europe needs.
Zelensky stated that “there should be no illusions” that a just and lasting peace can be purchased by showing weakness. “Peace rewards only the strong.”
Ukrainian officials have tried to put a positive spin Trump’s win, expressing hopes for a renewed vigor in Washington decision-making, and bringing up Ronald Reagan, a former U.S. Republican President known for his hawkish stance towards Moscow.
“Since July’s summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Great Britain, much has been said about giving in to Putin and retreating. There have even been some ‘concessions’ made,” the president noted.
“This is unacceptable and a suicide for Europe.”
Zelensky asked rhetorically if Europe should also seek favors from North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un who has provided ammunition to Russia and troops.
Kyiv previously criticised the West for its lack of response following revelations that Pyongyang had dispatched between 10,000-12,000 soldiers in an unprecedented escalation to join the war.
“No strong leader who has helped build a united strong and peaceful Europe could have imagined something like this.”
Zelensky called on European partners again to support Ukraine’s 10-point formula for peace, highlighting nuclear, energy and food security, as well as the release of prisoners, as key steps.
The president said that Ukraine is grateful for the support of its partners and that it is open to any constructive ideas for achieving a just peace in the country.
“But Ukraine must decide what should or should not be on agenda.”
Ukraine is in a precarious position in the war, as Russian forces continue to advance in Donetsk Oblast and the future of Western assistance under Trump’s presidency appears increasingly uncertain.
During the campaign, Trump said that if he returned to the White House he would end Russia’s conflict in Ukraine within “24-hours.” In his victory speech he hinted at the message once again, telling his cheering fans, “I am going to stop wars.”
The Wall Street Journal reported the plan could include delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by at least 20-years, freezing the war on the front lines and creating a demilitarized area in the east.
Zelensky said that Russia’s aggression demonstrated the weakness of the neutrality concept, as Finland’s and Sweden’s rapid entry into NATO demonstrated.
“The rapid accession to NATO of Finland and Sweden showed how European and Alliance Leaders actually envision guaranteed safety – not just in words, but via NATO. Ukraine took note.”
Five times, guided aerial bombs were used by Russia to strike Zaporizhzhia. The attack targeted several residential buildings as well as a hospital. Fedorov said that the full impact of the attack is still being determined.
“Peace rewards only the strong,” said President Zelensky.
Sergei Shoigu said that the West should recognize the fact that Russia is winning the war in Ukraine and begin negotiations, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS on November 8.
The U.K. announced on Nov. 7, its largest package of sanction against Russia since May 20,23, focusing primarily on the Russian Defense Industry and mercenary Groups.
The fifth meeting will focus, among other topics, on Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine and ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East.
The Associated Press reported that Eugene Vindman won the Virginia House of Representatives election on Nov. 6, a retired U.S. Army soldier who gained fame for his role as a Whistleblower against the then-President Donald Trump, along with his twin Alexander.
Yoon Suk-Yeol, South Korean President, told the media: “Now, depending upon the level of North Korean participation, we will gradually adapt our support strategy in phases.” “This means that we are not ruling the possibility of supplying weapons.”
The War Zone experts say that even though it is difficult to determine the exact consequences of the Ukrainian attack, the recent strike was “significant in many ways”.
“We understand that America’s core value is to protect democracy and democratic values.” “This remains unchanged, regardless if the elections are held,” Prime Minister Denys shmyhal commented.
Two people were injured in a Russian drone attack on Kyiv. The air raid warning in Ukraine’s capital lasted for eight hours. Over 30 UAVs were shot down by the air defenses.
The Kyiv City Militia Administration reported that Russia launched a drone strike on Kyiv over night on Nov. 6. It struck a residential building and an auto repair shop.
Donald Trump received informal and indirect congratulatory messages from other top Russian officials including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing three Trump-connected sources, reported on Nov. 6 that one idea among Donald Trump’s team to end Russia’s war is to delay Kyiv joining NATO for at least twenty years in exchange of continued arms supplies.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed the Moldovan authorities denied accreditation to five Russian international observers prior to the first voting round and the constitutional referendum regarding the EU accession.
Viasna Human Rights Center reported on Nov. 6 that Belarusian authorities had initiated a wave arrests in advance of the January election.
Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol spoke by phone on November 7, after the former won the U.S. Presidential election. They discussed future cooperation.
This includes 1,400 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
Odesa Journal reported that the Rebuild Ukraine 4.0 conference would be held in Warsaw, Poland on November 13-14 2024.
Two administration officials told Politico the White House planned to speed up the delivery of weapons amid concerns that a Trump administration in the future would stop weapons shipments before reaching Kyiv.
Zelensky posted on social media that he had a phone conversation with Donald Trump to congratulate him for his victory in the presidential election.
Scholz partially justified his decision in a statement he issued following the dismissal. He noted that he had asked Lindner, who was responsible for the spending rules, to relax them to allow more aid to Ukraine. Lindner refused.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, said: “We have the potential to strengthen our cooperation on defense, economy, and the future after war.” “This will make Ukraine, America and the free world more successful.”
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