**Ukraine Stands Firm on NATO Membership**
Ukraine has made it clear that it will not accept any security guarantees that don’t include full membership in NATO. This statement was made by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry just two days before the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum, a document signed by Ukraine, Russia, and Western powers in 1994.
In exchange for giving up its Soviet-era nuclear weapons, Ukraine was promised security guarantees by the US and Russia. However, these promises were not kept, and Ukraine is now pushing for full membership in NATO to ensure its security.
**Ukraine Repels Russian Forces**
Ukrainian troops have successfully prevented Russian forces from establishing a foothold on the western side of the Oskil River, north of the Kharkiv Oblast town of Kupiansk. The Ukrainian military published footage of the engagement, which reportedly took place near the village of Novomlynsk.
Russian forces had been trying to establish a bridgehead on the other side of the river, but Ukrainian troops were able to force them out with artillery and drone support. The western bank of the Oskil River is now under Ukrainian control.
**France and UK Discuss Troop Deployment**
France and the UK are discussing the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire along the contact line. This proposal is part of efforts to prepare for various scenarios, including peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The aim is to ensure European countries are ready to assist Kyiv if the new US administration requests greater European involvement in the conflict.
**Ukraine Seeks Air Defense Systems**
Ukraine is appealing to its NATO partners to provide at least 20 air defense systems to help repel Russian aerial attacks. The provision of HAWK, NASAMS, and IRIS-T batteries will help avert blackouts, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
**Zelensky Denies Media Reports**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has disputed reports in Western media that as many as 80,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during the full-scale war with Russia. While refusing to provide a detailed number of casualties, Zelensky said the actual number is “less, much less” than reported.
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