Delayed Western arms, Hungary calls for EU “strategic debate” on Ukraine, Russia out of UNESCO
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Friday, November 17, 2023.
● Delays in Western weapon deliveries could leave defenders outgunned in early 2024, military analyst says
The first half of 2024 will be the most difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to shortfalls in promised supplies of weapons and ammunition from the West, says Serhiy Zgurets, director of Defense Express, an information and consulting company.
● Moscow and Pyongyang hold talks, strengthen ties and expand cooperation in various fields
North Korea and Russia have signed a protocol on expanding cooperation in various fields after holding talks on trade, science and technology in Pyongyang, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Nov. 16, citing North Korean state media.
● New UK foreign minister makes first visit to Ukraine, promises ‘military support for however long it takes’
London “remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with David Cameron, who arrived in Kyiv for the first time as head of the UK Foreign Office.
● Hungary calls for ‘strategic debate’ on EU’s policy towards Ukraine
Hungary's Minister for EU Affairs, Janos Boka, stated that European Union policy towards Ukraine should be shaped through “considering options and holding a strategic debate,” Daily News Hungary reported on Nov. 15.
● Cluster munitions proving exceptionally effective in battle — Ukrainian officer
Cluster munitions used by Ukrainian forces are remarkably effective against enemy troops, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, Maksym Zhorin, said in an interview with NV Radio on Nov. 15.
● Ukraine to tax 2023 banking profits at 50%
Exorbitant profits Ukrainian commercial banks booked in 2023 will be taxed at 50%, while the tax rate for subsequent years will be set at 25%, Ukraine's Parliamentary Finance Committee chairman Danylo Hetmantsev said in a Telegram post on Nov. 16.
● SBU charges Russian energy minister on suspicion of supplying electricity from seized Ukrainian power plants
Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov has been served a notice of suspicion for assisting the Kremlin’s top military and political leadership in illegally connecting its military bases and administrations to electricity from seized Ukrainian power plants, the SBU reported on Telegram on Nov. 16.
● UNESCO removes Russia from its executive board
Russia was ousted from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board on Nov. 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported via Twitter.
● Hodges gives vision of goal of Ukraine's counter-offensive, praises impact on Russian fleet
The ultimate aim of Ukraine’s counter-offensive should be to force Russian invasion forces out of Crimea, former U.S. Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges told Radio NV in an interview on Nov. 15.
● Russia could be planning major offensive for mid-December
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has a habit of claiming propaganda victories before announcing his presidential bids.
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