Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban prepares to make a significant concession to former US President Donald Trump. This could allow him to avoid a $50 billion loan meant to support Ukraine during its ongoing war against Russia.
Politico reported that, if Trump wins the presidency in November this would allow him to reassure Republican supporters that he wouldn’t provide additional financial aid to Ukraine. Hungary has stated that it will not approve any changes to the rules allowing the U.S. a significant role in the loan before the U.S. elections.
The proposed loan is based on the profits of over $250 billion in Russian assets that have been frozen in Western countries after Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2020.
Orban is against this extension, even though the U.S. wants the European Union to extend the period of sanctions renewal from six months to at least 36 months in order to facilitate the arrangement. Orban is the only person who can stop the necessary changes, since all 27 EU members must agree on any modifications to sanctions rules.
Ukraine urgently needs new funding to support its government and prepare itself for a harsh winter, as Russia targets the country’s energy infrastructure. Orban’s stance complicates U.S. involvement but Europe seems to be prepared to move ahead regardless. Unnamed EU diplomats who spoke to Politico under condition of anonymity stated: “If we do not work this out [by prolonging the sanctions duration], then it will cost the EU – including Hungary – more money.”
“They [Hungary] do not care if Europe is forced to pay more.” Another EU diplomat said that it was about helping Trump. If the loan proceeds with no U.S. involvement, Trump will not be required to service it, if reelected. This would be a significant political benefit for him.
Orban threatened in Brussels to use his veto, but the U.S. indicated it would still participate in the loan. However, for a smaller amount, around $5 billion. This is equivalent to the Russian assets that are held in the U.S.
If Hungary continues to refuse to change its position on the duration of the sanctions, the EU intends to finalize the loan independently as its budget rules allow for quicker approval before the end of the year.
The Sumy Oblast Military Administration announced on October 13 that nearly 37,000 people, including 6,400 children, have been evacuated. They are continuing to work to evacuate additional residents under expanded mandatory orders.
Video footage from the scene shows officers standing outside the doors of the venue intercepting male concertgoers as they exit the venue. Some men are seen being arrested by officers.
Der Spiegel reported that the government is currently in “serious discussion” about abandoning its goal of full territorial restoration.
“We are witnessing an increasing alliance between Russia, and regimes such as North Korea. It’s not just about transferring arms. It is about transferring North Koreans to the occupying forces.”
“We must understand that this can only happen in a way where Ukraine gets more money if we purchase.” “They will be able produce more for their military,” Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated.
The Washington Post quoted an officer from the 72nd Mechanized Brigade as saying, “They just overpowered” us. The officer claimed that Russia’s access Starlink was the key factor in the loss.
According to the announcement, the U.K. committed to providing additional long-range weaponry, artillery and robotic systems. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron discussed opening a drone training center in France.
Biden was to convene, on Oct. 12 in Germany, a meeting of leaders from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group where President Volodymyr Zelensky was to present his victory strategy. He rescheduled his visit to oversee the emergency response for Hurricane Milton.
Anna Belokur, Kyiv Independent‘s Anna Belokur, explains the top stories from the week. From the postponement the Ramstein Summit to the two-month anniversary Ukraine’s surprise invasion into Kursk Oblast.
Zelensky, in a video message posted on Telegram, said that Russia has also launched over 40 missiles and 400 combat-drones of different types.
“The killings of prisoners of war are a gross violation and international crime of the Geneva Conventions.” Kostin wrote on X that a criminal case was opened for the violation of laws and customs in war, combined with premeditated killing.
“There were attempts from Russia to push our positions back.” “But we are holding the lines,” he said.
Deepstate reported that the shootings took place on October 10, citing sources from Ukraine’s First Tank Brigade.
The two MiG-31K aircraft landed in Belarus in October 9 and 10 a year after their last appearance.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on October 13 that Russia has lost 668.930 troops since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
The Air Force reported that Russia also attacked Ukraine using two Iskander M ballistic missiles and 2 Kh-59 cruise missiles. The missiles were aimed at Chernihiv oblast, Sumy oblast, Poltava oblast, and Odesa ablast.
Mediazona, an independent Russian media outlet, and BBC Russia confirmed through open-source research the names of 72 899 Russian soldiers killed since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion.
Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the Presidential Office, said on October 12 that President Volodymyr Zelensky will reveal his “victory plans” publicly to Ukrainians “in a matter of days”.
In his evening address on October 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine and France are working together to establish new joint production facilities for defense.
The Press Play Prague Film Festival awarded the Best Film Award to the Kyiv Independent’s investigative film “He Came Back” on October 12. It reveals sexual crimes committed by the Russians during their occupation of Kyiv, Kherson and other oblasts at the beginning of 2022.
The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported on October 12 that Iran had delivered two satellites manufactured in Iran to Russia for a launch scheduled soon. This is the latest example of space cooperation between two nations that are both under U.S. sanction.
Dusan Bajatovic is the CEO of Srbijagas – a state-owned Serbian company – and Alexey Miller is the CEO of Gazprom – a Russian state-owned energy giant. They expect Russian gas supplies to reach 400,000,000 cubic meters this winter.
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