At 12:23, Raiffeisen Bank offloads its Belarusian affiliate.
12:01 Report: EU Proposes €35 Billion Loan for UkraineThe European Commission is proposing a €35 billion loan for Ukraine, as per a media report. This is part of the aid plans of the seven prominent Western industrialized nations (G7), as reported by the "Financial Times", citing three individuals familiar with the matter. The loan forms part of the G7's intention to provide Ukraine with $50 billion (approximately €46 billion) through the utilization of profits from frozen Russian state assets.
11:33 Russia Warns West: Do Not Disregard AdvisoriesThe Russian government has issued a warning to the West not to disregard warnings against supplying weapons with extended ranges that can impact targets within Russian territory. According to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, disregard could potentially alter the nature of the conflict, with potentially severe consequences for the entire world. She also mentioned that there are currently no prospects for negotiations with the USA. At the UN General Assembly in New York, no meeting between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his American counterpart Antony Blinken is scheduled, as both sides "have nothing to discuss." Prior to this, the outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had highlighted that Russia has not crossed many red lines drawn by President Vladimir Putin as it knows that NATO is the world's strongest military alliance.
10:53 EU: Forced Expulsion of Ukrainian Men Not PermissibleThe European Commission has declared that it is not permissible to forcefully expel male Ukrainian citizens of military age from European Union countries. As reported by "Ukrajinska Prawda", this is due to the directive on temporary protection. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, clarified this, stating, "We will support those who wish to return to Ukraine, and we will discuss with the Ukrainian authorities and the Ukrainian government how this can be done amicably. We will not expel anyone from the EU." Previously, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had urged Western European countries to encourage Ukrainian men of military age to return to Ukraine, according to the report. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha reportedly welcomed this idea.
10:12 General Freuding Identifies "Loopholes" in Russia SanctionsThe military coordinator of German Ukraine aid, Christian Freuding, has commented that although sanctions seem to be effective, Russia is still able to find "loopholes or even legal circumvention options" to manage its defense industry.
09:03 von der Leyen Confirms Further Support for Ukraine's Winter Energy SupplyEU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged further support for Ukraine's winter energy supply during her visit to Kyiv. She highlighted, "My eighth visit to Kyiv is taking place at a time when the heating season is about to begin, and Russia continues to target energy infrastructure." She also shared a photo of her arrival at Kyiv station, confirming, "We will support Ukraine in its brave efforts. I am here to discuss Europe's support, from winter preparations to defense, EU accession, and progress on G7 loans."
08:20 EU Contemplates Ending Visa-Free Travel for GeorgiansBrussels has hinted at the possibility of ending visa-free travel for Georgians to the European Union due to democratic backsliding under the ruling Georgian Dream party. According to an unnamed EU spokesperson, if Georgia does not reverse its trend towards authoritarianism, "all options are on the table," including "the possible temporary suspension of visa liberalization." Recently, the ruling Georgian Dream party passed a law on foreign agents that mirrors repressive Russian legislation used against Kremlin critics.
07:42 Ukraine Frowns upon Poland's Crimea ProposalThe Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized a Polish proposal on the status of Crimea, emphasizing that compromises are unacceptable. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had previously suggested holding a referendum on the peninsula as part of a possible negotiating solution with Russia. "All efforts should be focused on liberating the peninsula, not on satisfying the Kremlin's appetite at the expense of Ukraine's interests and international law," the Kyiv ministry concluded.
06:29 von der Leyen Anticipated in Kyiv - Talks with ZelenskyyEU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Kyiv today, as per Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement. He shared that discussions are scheduled about winter preparations, emphasizing, "Of course, the energy question is a top priority." The situation on the front lines, weapons deliveries, and joint defense projects will also be discussed, as well as Ukraine's path to EU membership and additional financial support for the country targeted by Russia.
05:32 Ukraine Joins NATO Exercise for the First TimeUkraine is participating in a NATO exercise for the first time, under the leadership of the Netherlands. This exercise, testing anti-drone systems, is currently underway, according to NATO's press service. More than 60 anti-drone systems and related technologies, including sensors, drone-to-drone systems, jammers, and cyber-hunters, are being tested live. Ukraine's participation is part of the NATO-Ukraine action plan for innovation cooperation, which was agreed upon at the summit in July.
04:28 Transgender Advocate Stabbed to Death in GeorgiaIn Georgia, a prominent transgender advocate has been brutally stabbed to death not long after the country enacted a controversial law that restricts LGBTQ+ rights. Kesaria Abramidze, a model, actress, and influencer, was discovered with numerous stab wounds in her apartment, as reported by the Georgian Interior Ministry. Abramidze's partner has been detained as the primary suspect and accused of murder with "exceptional brutality and due to the victim's gender." The murder took place years after Georgia implemented a law centered around "traditional values" that was condemned by the EU and human rights organizations due to its potential limitation of LGBTQ+ freedoms. This law, similar to Russian legislation limiting LGBTQ+ rights, prohibits gender reassignment and other related practices.
03:25 Lufthansa Contemplates Halting Frankfurt-Beijing Flights Due to Russia SanctionsLufthansa is weighing the possibility of terminating its daily route from Frankfurt to Beijing's capital. A conclusive decision is expected in October. A company spokesperson referred to an unjustified advantage among European airlines and those from the Persian Gulf and the Bosporus, which benefit from lower flight costs, inferior labor standards, and generous state investments in aviation. Moreover, these airlines can still traverse Russian airspace, which was banned for European and American airlines when sanctions against Russia were imposed due to the Ukraine conflict. This compels these airlines to circumvent Russian airspace, consequently leading to increased fuel expenses.
02:27 Russian Attack on Sumy Targets Power Grid, Civilian KilledRussian troops have launched fresh air strikes on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, striking the geriatric center and the city's power grid. At least one civilian lost their life, Ukrainian authorities reported. The United Nations monitoring group suggested that these power grid attacks may have violated international law. The International Energy Agency stated in a study that power shortages in Ukraine could reach one-third of the peak demand during the crucial winter months.
01:25 Approximately 1.18 million Ukrainians Reside in GermanyThe number of refugees dwelling in Germany has reached an unprecedented high. As reported by the Registration Office for Foreigners, around 3.48 million refugees inhabited the nation by the end of the first half of 2024, with 60,000 additional refugees from the previous year. The highest number of refugees since the 1950s has been reported, according to the "New Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ), which cites a federal government response to a petition from the Left faction in the Bundestag. In total, around 1.18 million refugees in Germany are Ukrainian, with their count rising by approximately 45,000 when compared to the conclusion of 2023. Residents, regardless of their migration label, are included in this figure, ranging from asylum seekers to approved refugees to those with tolerated status.
00:22 Lindner: Debt Brake Suspension is Not Justified for Ukraine AidSPD and Green politicians frequently stress an agreement within the traffic light coalition to suspend the debt brake for extensive Ukraine aid in the budget standoff. However, Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner rejects such considerations: "I am not aware of such an agreement. I would not have consented to such a temporary measure," Lindner recounted to the "Rheinische Post" in an interview. Although the Ukraine conflict is tragic, it does not equal a state of emergency in accordance with the German Constitution. "For the aid of Ukraine, we are actively working on a 50-billion-dollar program sponsored by G7 nations, in addition to our individual aid," stated Lindner.
23:23 Bulgaria Proposes EU Import Ban on Ukrainian EggsBulgaria plans to propose an embargo on Ukrainian egg imports during a meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on September 23 at Brussels. This stance was revealed by Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture Georgi Takhov. The decision is a continuation of the long-standing disputes between Ukraine and eastern EU member states concerning agricultural commerce. These disputes have triggered border blockades on the Ukrainian-Polish boundary, import bans on Ukrainian corn and wheat, and farmer protests in Poland and Bulgaria.
22:13 Merz Suggests No Initiation of Peace Process with RussiaCDU leader Friedrich Merz expresses concerns about the Ukraine situation and asserts: "I do not see a viable path to initiate a peace process at present." Russia will cease hostilities only when ongoing military actions become futile or when Kyiv is defeated. Ultimately, Germany will be obliged to support Ukraine militarily in the long term, as Merz believes, since we cannot share freedom and peace with Russia as long as Putin and his regime remain in power. This realization is quite bitter, he added. "At the moment, there seems to be no alternative, until Putin and his regime depart from power, at least."
The European Union, along with the G7 nations, is considering providing Ukraine with approximately €46 billion through the utilization of profits from frozen Russian state assets. The European Union has also made it clear that the forced expulsion of male Ukrainian citizens of military age from European Union countries is not permissible.
