Politics & Economics

The European Union must find a way to support the democratic aspirations of European countries, so the future of Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Moldova, and in the future, Georgia too, is in the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this in her State of the Union address at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, September 13, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "[We] will help build Ukraine's future to rebuild a modern and prosperous country. And that future is clear to see. This House has said it out loud: The future of Ukraine…

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva and Estonian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Kyllike Sillaste-Elling have met and discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and bringing Russia to justice. The relevant statement was made by the Office of the President of Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The interlocutors noted Estonia’s active efforts as part of the Core Group working on the establishment of a special tribunal intended to investigate Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine. Zhovkva expressed gratitude to the Estonian side for their leadership in the development of national legislation regarding the…

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. He announced this on his Telegram channel, Ukrinform reports. "Germany is a leader in providing military aid to our country. I thanked them for this at a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock," Shmyhal wrote. According to him, during the meeting, he reaffirmed Ukraine's desire to receive Taurus cruise missiles as soon as possible. "It is also important to protect Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure as much as possible. We count on Germany's assistance in strengthening [Ukraine's] air defense system," he added. Both parties also discussed…

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has congratulated Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on his appointment and reiterated the steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine. That's according to a readout of Austin's call with Umerov, Ukrinform reports, citing the website of the U.S. Department of Defense. "Secretary Austin provided an update on U.S. security assistance efforts and exchanged views with Minister Umerov on priorities to support Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs and capability requirements over the long term," the statement said. Read also: Umerov can restart Defense Ministry's work - president Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov also discussed the agenda for the Ukraine…

Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis has received copies of credentials from the newly appointed British ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris. That's according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform reports. According to the statement, Perebyinis congratulated the ambassador on the beginning of his diplomatic mission in Ukraine and expressed hope that his work in Ukraine would contribute to the further deepening of Ukrainian-British relations. Both parties discussed the entire range of issues of cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom and exchanged views on specific steps to deepen cooperation in the context of Ukraine's course towards NATO membership, as well…

U.S. President Joe Biden has said that there was sufficient agreement at the G20 summit in India on the need for a just peace in Ukraine that upholds the principles of international law and the UN Charter. Biden said this in a press conference in Hanoi on Sunday, September 10, Ukrinform reports, citing the press service of the White House. "We've also discussed Russia's brutal and illegal war in Ukraine. And there was sufficient agreement in the room on the need for a just and lasting peace that upholds the principles of the UN Charter and respects sovereignty and territorial…

The global community is working to achieve peace in Ukraine, but understands that it must be a just peace, not a temporary ceasefire, which will later lead to even greater violence. This was stated by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the opening of the 37th Sant'Egidio International Peace Meeting in Berlin on Sunday, reports Ukrinform. The head of state reminded that this is the second such meeting since February 24, 2022, when Russia attacked Ukraine and since then every day brought suffering, destruction, and death to Ukrainians. The Ukrainians defend themselves, stand up for themselves and fight for their freedom…

Russia will never be a democratic country and Europe should think about how to stop such an aggressive political regime. That’s according to Radoslaw Sikorski, Member of the European Parliament, Head of the EU-US Delegation, who spoke at an annual meeting of the Yalta European Strategy, "The future is being decided in Ukraine", organized by YES in partnership with the Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, Ukrinform reports referring to the YES press service. "My discussions with the Europeans are that there is no need to try to normalize relations with Russia. It will never be democratic, it is rather an invader with a suicide…

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he believes that Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia if the Russian side shows its interest in diplomacy. He stated this on the ABC television channel, Ukrinform reports. "As to negotiations, it takes two to tango. And thus far, we see no indication that Vladimir Putin has any interest in meaningful diplomacy. If he does, I think the Ukrainians will be the first to engage, and we'll be right behind them. Everyone wants this war to end, but it has to end on just terms and on durable terms that reflect…

French President Emmanuel Macron believes the final statement of the Group of Twenty leaders was not a diplomatic victory for Moscow. That’s according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports. Macron believes that the joint declaration shows Russia remained isolated after the summit. According to him, the topic of the event was the resolution of international economic issues, and it is not necessarily the place where you can expect "diplomatic progress" regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine disappointed by weak G20 declaration - MFA Today, the vast majority of the G20 member states condemn the war in Ukraine and its impact,…