Bloomberg reported on October 25, citing unnamed sources, that Germany and France have raised doubts over the EU diplomatic service’s proposal to circumvent Hungary’s veto regarding 6 billion euros ($6.6billion) in defense aid for Kyiv.
Budapest has blocked the disbursement to Kyiv of assistance under the European Peace Facility for more than a decade, causing frustration in other member states.
The European External Action Service (EEAS), the diplomatic arm of the bloc, suggested that members could make voluntary contributions. This would allow military aid to flow according to the decisions made by individual countries, rather than a unanimous consensus.
Bloomberg reported that Paris and Berlin were concerned that such a move would endanger EPF’s status as the EU’s tool for foreign policy. Some countries require parliamentary approval before they can contribute, which could complicate the process and cause it to be delayed.
The EPF is a key tool to support Ukraine’s defense capability since 2022, but it was largely depleted by the beginning of this year due to disagreements among member states on how best replenish it and unlock additional cash for Ukraine.
Budapest has blocked the disbursement of the additional 5 billion euro ($5.5 billion) that the EU approved for Ukraine in spring.
Hungarian Prime Minster Viktor Orban is seen as the most Kremlin friendly leader in the EU. He has repeatedly obstructed EU sanctions against Russia and stalled EU assistance for Ukraine.
During Hungary’s rotating Presidency, tensions between Budapest and Brussels grew as EU member states and institutions boycotted Hungarian-organized events in response to Orban’s July visit to Moscow.
According to the central electoral commission, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream Party captured 54.3% in the Oct. 26, parliamentary elections, with more than 99% of precincts being counted.
Bloomberg reported on October 25, citing unnamed sources, that Germany and France are skeptical about the EU diplomatic services’ proposal to circumvent Hungary’s veto over 6 billion euros ($6.6billion) in defense aid for Kyiv.
Governor Maxim Egorov reported on his Telegram channel that a drone struck the Michurinsky District of the region around 0:40 am local time and caused a fire. The fire was quickly put out.
The Air Force reported that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 41 of the 80 Russian Shahed drones launched overnight. The statement stated that 32 drones were lost in Ukraine and one flew towards Belarus.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the casualties of the Russian missile attack on Dnipro’s central-east city Dnipro that hit residential buildings as well as the Mechnikov Hospital late on October 25 have risen to 5 dead and 21 injured.
This includes 1,440 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
The chief of the national police in the country said that on October 24, Moscow had funneled $39 million into a scheme run by a pro Russian oligarch to influence election results by paying ordinary people to vote against closer relations with the West.
The Strategic Industries Ministry announced that on October 26, Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister of Strategic Industries, met with India Ambassador to Ukraine Ravi Shankar to discuss strengthening defence industry cooperation between Kyiv & New Delhi.
Windsor Star, a Canadian media outlet, reported on October 26 that Ukrainian-Canadian film-makers pulled their pro Ukrainian film “Intercepted”, from the Windsor International Film Festival in protest. They learned that it was to be screened alongside the controversial documentary “Russians at War”.
Mahuchikh, who accepted her award, said: “It is a very special moment for me because of the difficult time that Ukraine is going through.” “But, you’re right, I am glad to be here…for all my people in Ukraine and I hope it brings some joy during this time.”
On October 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law allowing foreign volunteers to serve as officers in Ukraine’s International Legion.
During his evening speech on October 26, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that North Korean forces may appear on the front lines fighting alongside Russian forces in the coming weeks.
On Oct. 26, the ruling Georgian Dream Party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ilvanishvili, and groups that aimed to end its 12-year rule, declared victory.
On Oct. 26, footage was released of a person stuffing the ballot box in the southern Georgian town of Marnueli.
The government is currently auditing the exemption process until Nov. 15, to determine which businesses qualify for critical enterprises status. This reflects the government’s efforts to balance the country’s defense needs and economic stability.
Nino Lomjaria is a lawyer and a former ombudswoman who reported on October 26 that a voter observer was assaulted while filming the stuffing of a ballot box.
According to Le Monde, sources cited on October 25, Gazprombank is poised to buy the Russian operations of Auchan, one of Russia’s biggest banks, which is also under U.S. heavy sanctions.
This includes 1,690 casualties that Russian forces have suffered in the last day.
G7 leaders announced that they would begin disbursing funds by the end the year. The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic, defense and reconstruction needs.
During the Cold War, Sergiyev Posad-6 was a biological weapon research center. The Washington Post reports that a major renovation was started at the site soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine.
Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, reported that a Russian suicide drone struck a 25-story building in the Solomianskyi District on October 25, killing a girl aged 15 and injuring 5 others.
According to a U.S. government official, the Biden administration believes a contingent of North Korean soldiers is en route to Russia’s Kursk region in order to help Moscow counter a Ukrainian offensive launched in that region in August.
The North Korean foreign ministry stated on October 25 that any decision made to send troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine would be in accordance with international law. However, it did confirm if such a deployment has taken place.
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