At 16:43, Zelensky and Trump hold a meeting in New York: Sharing a Mutual Objective
During his trip to the USA, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engages in a chat with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for a discussion in New York. Zelensky shares his belief that the conflict in Ukraine needs to come to an end before the meeting. The meeting between Zelensky and the property tycoon takes place at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump, known for his criticism of the US's billion-dollar assistance to Ukraine, encourages the Kyiv leadership to negotiate with Russia. Critics accuse Trump of surrendering to Ukraine, adopting Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance. The last encounter between the two leaders happened around five years ago. Prior to the meeting, Zelensky had already held talks with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington D.C. on Thursday.
16:02 Ukraine is Forced to Impose Higher Taxes on Citizens Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko labels the tax hikes being considered in parliament as an unwelcome necessity. One of the proposed tax adjustments is to increase a war tax from 1.5% to 5%. For this year, the increase is estimated to generate about 1.2 billion euros, and for the following year, around 3 billion euros more. "Such a decision will harm the economy, but we've exhausted all other options," Marchenko explains. Only the revenue from fresh domestic bonds will be sufficient to manage existing debt payments. Foreign financial assistance seems uncertain. In the first quarter, Ukraine received only about 10% of the required foreign aid. Congressional delays in the USA have contributed to the lack of provision. Regardless, Kyiv anticipates receiving approximately 34.5 billion euros from international sources next year. However, Marchenko cautions that the payments might not be consistent.
15:24 Norway Restricts Asylum for Ukrainian Refugees Norway will now evaluate asylum applications for Ukrainian refugees on a case-by-case basis. The Norwegian government announced the decision, targeting refugees coming from the less violent western regions of Ukraine, considered safe by Norwegian authorities. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Norwegian authorities have automatically granted asylum to Ukrainian refugees, taking in approximately 85,000 people – the highest number in any Nordic country.
14:51 Russian Military Prepares for New Conscription According to British military intelligence, Russia will begin conscription for combat-ready individuals below 30 years old on October 1. Until now, conscripts have not participated in combat in Ukraine but have been stationed in the Russian region of Kursk, from where Ukrainian forces are expected to be pushed out. Some Russian parents have complained that their sons, with under 4 months of training, have been sent to combat zones, which contradicts Russian law.
14:22 Ramstein to Host Ukraine Meeting with Biden The meeting of countries supporting Ukraine will take place on October 12 at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, as announced by government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Germany plans to host the so-called Contact Group for Ukraine's Defense together with the US. A group of more than 50 countries gathers to coordinate aid for Ukraine in this forum. It's unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be present.
13:56 Lithuania Plans to Buy German Tanks for New Division Lithuania is considering purchasing Leopard 2 battle tanks to form a new division in its army. The deal could be signed in November, pending approval from the National Security Council. Lithuania shares borders with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and its ally Belarus. The country views the conflict in Ukraine as an immediate threat to its security, leading to an aggressive military buildup. A new military division involving a tank battalion will be formed, with a German Armed Forces mechanized brigade stationed permanently in Lithuania.
13:20 Discord at Risk of Being Blocked in Russia The Russian media supervisory authority is considering blocking the communication platform Discord entirely. This report, obtained from a source in the gaming industry, is based on alleged violations of Russian law. No concrete charges or explanations have been provided. Russian users have earlier reported outages on Discord. With between 29 and 40 million active users in Russia, the platform – predominantly popular among gamers, students, and cryptocurrency traders – could see restricted access in the near future.
13:04 No Long-Range Weapons Approval: "Biden Warned by Intelligence Services Before Decision" Despite promising additional billion-dollar assistance to Ukraine, the U.S. has not granted Ukraine's request to lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons to target areas deep within Russian territory. Thomas Jäger, a political scientist, explains that the U.S. is following security concerns and potential escalations, as advised by intelligence services.
12:36 American in Russia Facing 'Mercenary Charges'According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, an American has been charged with alleged 'mercenary activities' in Russia since last Friday. The 72-year-old is accused of fighting as a mercenary in the armed conflict on the side of Ukraine, as reported by the agency. The individual believed to be the American, Stefan Hubbard from Michigan, has been residing in Ukraine since 2014. The details surrounding the American's arrest remain unclear from the report. According to RIA Novosti, he was brought to trial in a Moscow court by the military police.
12:01 Kryvyj Rih: Rocket Strikes Ukrainian Police StationRecent reports from Ukraine indicate further Russian aggression. A rocket struck a police station in Kryvyj Rih this morning, as confirmed by local authorities. Under the debris, the body of a woman was discovered, and at least five others sustained injuries. Search and rescue operations are underway to locate any survivors. Residential structures were also damaged in the attack. The Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office has shared photos of the rocket impacts in Kryvyj Rih.
According to Ukrainian sources, there was another rocket attack on the city of Dnipro last night, resulting in an industrial facility being hit. At least eight individuals were injured in Russian aerial attacks in the Kherson region, as reported by local authorities.
11:27 Potential NATO Airspace Intrusion by Russian DroneThe Romanian defense ministry suggests that a Russian drone may have briefly entered NATO member Romania's airspace last night. It's possible that the drone briefly crossed Romania's border area for less than three minutes. The drone was involved in a strike against the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail, according to Ukrainian authorities. Izmail was targeted by a drone attack early Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to approximately a dozen others, according to the Ukrainian air force.
10:57 Fritz: USA to Supply Guided Bombs to Ukraine for First TimePresident Zelensky is traveling to the United States to present his 'victory plan' and request further military assistance. Biden has pledged a military aid package valued at nearly $8 billion to Ukraine. Compared to previous deliveries, "this is a substantial sum," notes ntv reporter Gordian Fritz.
10:20 Report: US Intel Agencies Warn of Severe Retaliation if Ukraine Uses Long-Range MissilesAccording to a "New York Times" report citing an unpublished intelligence assessment, US intelligence agencies anticipate severe retaliation if Ukraine employs western long-range missiles to strike deep within Russian territory. Permission for this from the West could result in severe repercussions, with possible retaliatory actions from Russia ranging from arson and sabotage against European facilities to potentially deadly attacks on US and European military support points. The agencies contend that Ukraine has an insufficient number of long-range missiles to significantly alter the course of the war. The Times suggests that this assessment may play a role in the difficulty President Biden is facing in making a decision.
09:57 Munz on New Putin Threat: Resource Export Stop "Won't Harm the West Much"
Russia threatens the US with consequences if it approves the use of long-range weapons against targets within Russia. President Putin is considering certain export restrictions on strategic resources, such as uranium, as retaliation against the West. ntv reporter Munz explores the background and implications.
08:40 Ukrainian Navy Baffled by Russian Structure Near Crimea BridgeAn unidentified Russian structure near the Crimea Bridge is puzzling the Ukrainian Navy. According to a report by "The Kyiv Independent" on Ukrainian television, the structure is being constructed. Its purpose remains unclear. "It could serve as a defensive installation, or it could be another crossing, but it's still too early to draw conclusions," said Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk. He doubts that the Russians will complete it due to deteriorating weather conditions. "They continue to place something new in the Kerch Strait to construct various hydrotechnical structures or barriers, but after each storm, they end up on the shore." The bridge links Russia to the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed.
08:08 Ukrainian Town on Border with Romania Attacked; Several KilledThe town of Ismajil in southern Ukraine was attacked. Three people were killed in a Russian drone strike this morning, as reported by the governor of the Odessa Oblast, Oleh Kiper. All the victims were elderly, including a woman in her 90s. Eleven others, including a child, were injured. Kiper also reported damage to buildings and vehicles, as well as several fires. The town of Ismajil is situated on the border with Romania, with the northern mouth of the Danube River forming the border. [Read more here.]
07:40 Roth Calls for Significantly More Military Aid for Ukraine to Facilitate NegotiationsSPD foreign policy expert Michael Roth is advocating for more military aid for Ukraine from Europe. "The larger European countries need to provide military support significantly more in order to ensure that Ukraine remains a free and democratic nation," Roth told the "Tagesspiegel." "Now it's time to mobilize all forces to put Ukraine in the best possible position for potential negotiations." The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag argues: "Anyone who wants to end the war as swiftly as possible must provide Ukraine with what it needs." Military strength and diplomacy are two sides of the same coin. "Russia will only be prepared for negotiations if Putin is convinced that a victory over Ukraine is impossible."
07:09 Baerbock: Without our aid, hospitals and kids would be vulnerableGerman Foreign Minister Baerbock justifies Western weapon supplies to Ukraine and warns against waning support for Kyiv. "The belief that there'd be no fighting or deaths in Ukraine without defensive weapons is as blind as it is incorrect," Baerbock states during the UN General Debate in New York on Thursday. "If Russia halts its assault, the war ends. If Ukraine ceases defending itself, it's Ukraine's demise." Russian President Putin responded to a peace conference invitation in June by bombing a children's hospital. Until Putin is ready for negotiations, halting our aid suggests "leaving Ukrainian hospitals and children defenseless. It might lead to additional war crimes, perhaps even in other nations." Baerbock highlights that Russia has "always toyed with the inviolability of the Baltic states' and Poland's borders."
06:45 Slovenia: Long-range weapons for Kyiv shouldn't be dismissed too quicklySlovenia's government advises against hasty decisions regarding the use of long-range Western weapons on Russian soil, given Germany's skepticism. "It's seldom wise to declare certain topics off-limits prematurely," says Prime Minister Golob on the sidelines of the UN General Debate in New York. "It's a thorny issue, but at this stage, all alternatives should be considered, and then the best-fit solution should be chosen," Golob replies when asked about long-range cruise missiles. Germany and the U.S. are particularly hesitant about this issue. Chancellor Scholz recently ruled out long-range precision weapons supply to Ukraine in the future.
06:11 Baerbock urges Iran to halt backing for Russia's war against UkraineGerman Foreign Minister Baerbock encourages Iran to cease backing Russia's conflict with Ukraine and halt the transfer of ballistic rockets and drones. The Foreign Office indicates this via the X platform. Baerbock spoke with her Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araktschi, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
06:01 Trump plans to meet with ZelenskyyEx-US President Trump arranges a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in New York on Friday. The meeting will take place at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Trump reveals. Zelenskyy, who met with President Biden the previous day, has reportedly extended his stay in the U.S. to meet with Trump. Before his U.S. visit, Zelenskyy mentioned wanting to meet with Trump, Biden, and Harris to present his "victory plan" to end the Ukrainian war. Read more about this here.
04:25 Harris Vows to Stand by Ukraine, Indirectly Warns Against Trump
Democratic presidential candidate Harris pledges support to Ukrainian President Zelensky and indirectly cautions against a Trump victory. "My dedication to Ukraine's people is unwavering. (...) I will maintain my solidarity with Ukraine and strive to ensure that Ukraine emerges victorious and lives in peace and prosperity," Harris says during Zelensky's visit to Washington. She emphasizes that peace can't be dictated without Ukraine. However, there are "some" in the U.S. who desire this. Their intentions are to compel Ukraine to forfeit large portions of its territory, accept neutrality, and renounce security assurances from other nations. These proposals are identical to Kremlin chief Putin's, she states, and amount to a call for surrender.
02:08 Ukraine Reports Assaults West of Kherson
Russian forces bombarded the Tomyna Balka settlement west of the Ukrainian-controlled city of Kherson on Thursday, according to the region's governor, Prokrudin. A woman was killed and another injured in the attack, according to Telegram.
00:55 UK to Deliver More Self-Propelled Artillery Systems to Ukraine
The UK will deliver another group of self-propelled artillery systems, AS90s, to Ukraine's defense forces. Ten of these systems have already been delivered, with six more set to arrive within a few weeks, according to the UK's Ministry of Defense.
23:33 UN: Scarcity of Funds to Assist Ukrainians This Winter
The United Nations points out insufficient funds to support Ukrainians during the winter. "Our organization's funding level is inadequate for this time of year," says Karolina Lindholm Billing, the UNHCR's Ukraine representative. The UNHCR currently only has 47% of the funds it needs to provide support to the millions of Ukrainians affected or displaced by the war. At this time last year, it was 70% funded.
22:13 Biden: US to Strengthen Ukraine Aid
President Biden declares that the US will enhance its support to Ukraine. This will enhance the Ukrainian government's bargaining position, he says before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Biden's term ends in January. He might be succeeded by his Vice President Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who is predicted to significantly reduce US engagement with Ukraine.
21:34 Ukraine: Russia Planning to Boost Attacks in Zaporizhzhia Region
Based on Ukrainian intelligence, Russian forces are anticipated to intensify their offensive actions in the Saporishshia region imminently. "There's a shift towards escalation in the circumstances within the battlefield in the Saporishshia region," remarks a representative for the troops stationed in southern Ukraine during a national television broadcast. "Over the past 24 hours, there were five [Russian] assaults, and we can suggest that this figure might rise, as our intel suggests that the adversary is amassing attack units close to the settlement of Pryiutne." The representative also brought up the arrival of light armored vehicles on the Russian side. "This implies they're preparing for offensive operations."
21:00 Biden Meets with Zelensky: Russia Won't Secure the Victory
At the outset of their meeting in Washington, US President Joe Biden reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of unwavering American support. "Russia won't emerge victorious, Ukraine will," Biden expressed as he welcomed his Ukrainian counterpart to the Oval Office at the White House: "And we'll be by your side at every step." Click here for more details.
You can review all previous developments here.
In light of the ongoing military tensions, the Ukrainian government may need to seek alternative sources of funding due to uncertainty in foreign financial assistance.
Given Russia's preparation for new conscription, there could be increased pressure on neighboring countries, such as Lithuania, to strengthen their military capabilities for defense.
