Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 5. This will happen after his return from Beijing, where Fico will participate in a parade and meet with the leaders of China and Russia.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may meet in China. The meeting will take place during a parade in Beijing dedicated to the end of World War II in the Asian theater of operations.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Ukraine's accession to the EU would destroy Hungarian farmers and undermine food security. Budapest will block the opening of the first cluster of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
EU countries failed to reach an agreement on recognizing the Gaza Strip and suspending free trade with Israel. EU's chief diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that the lack of unity affects trust in the EU.
EU Commissioner Marta Kos and foreign ministers discussed support for Ukraine and readiness to start accession negotiations with the EU. The 19th package of sanctions and the SAFE instrument for 150 billion euros for defense support were also discussed.
The European Union is considering options to speed up foreign policy decision-making to avoid blockages. Hungary is blocking a number of initiatives in support of Ukraine and against Russia.
Ruben Neves will inherit Diogo Jota's number 21 jersey in the Portuguese national team. This decision was made in honor of the deceased forward, who died in a car accident on July 3.
Hungary, the only one of the 27 EU members, did not sign the EU statement condemning Russia's massive attack on Kyiv on August 28. The EU statement condemns Russia's attack on civilians and infrastructure, calling it a war crime.
The European Commission is developing a mechanism to transfer nearly 200 billion euros of immobilized Russian assets for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. This option involves moving the assets into riskier investments to generate higher returns, as well as creating a special purpose fund.
Oil prices fell on Friday due to expectations of lower demand in the US. However, weekly gains persist amid uncertainty regarding Russian supplies.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Hungary is violating the rights of the Hungarian minority by banning Robert "Madyar" Brovdi from entering the country. The reason for the ban was Ukrainian drone strikes on the Russian Druzhba oil pipeline.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister stated that Budapest "did not start" this war and "is not responsible for it. "
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine handed a note of protest to the Hungarian ambassador in response to the entry ban for Robert Brovdi, commander of the UAV Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Kyiv called on Budapest for a constructive dialogue.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski invited Robert Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces, to Poland for a vacation. This happened after Hungary banned Brovdi from entering the Schengen area.
President Zelenskyy instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify the facts regarding Hungary's ban on entry for Ukrainian serviceman Robert Brovdi. Ukraine also has not received condolences from Hungary regarding the death of children during Russian attacks.
Ukrainian serviceman Madyar responded to the entry ban to Hungary. He called the sanctions and restrictions "nonsense" and accused Szijjártó of populism.
Hungary banned Robert Brovdi, commander of the UAV Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, from entering. This happened after the attack on the "Druzhba" oil pipeline.
The biggest effect of the strikes on the Druzhba oil refinery is the cessation or reduction of millions of tons of oil exports through the Baltic pipeline system. Hungary's and Slovakia's statements that Ukraine will suffer are unfounded.
Hungary has banned the entry of a military unit commander after the attack on the "Druzhba" oil pipeline. Ukraine promises reciprocal actions in response to this decision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported 8 dead, including a child, as a result of a massive Russian strike. The mayor of the capital, Vitali Klitschko, clarified that 38 people were injured, 30 of whom were hospitalized.
Vice Prime Minister Taras Kachka visited Hungary to discuss Ukraine's path to the EU, the protection of national minority rights, and the security situation. He also visited Ukrainian schools in Budapest.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, hitting key facilities. This has led to a reduction in Russian oil exports to key partners and a fuel shortage in the Russian Federation.
The damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine was extensive, but Hungary expects supplies to resume in test mode as early as the next day. Minister Szijjártó discussed the situation with a representative of the Russian Federation and urged Ukraine not to attack the pipeline.
Hungary challenged in the EU court the use of proceeds from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine. Budapest believes that the decision was made bypassing the veto right of EU member states.
The State Aviation Service transferred the authority to repair Mi-8 helicopters to the foreign company AAL Group Ltd, which has ties to the Russian defense complex. Experts consider this a threat to Ukraine's national security.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, reported cases of detention of individuals who tried to illegally cross the border more than 10 times. Most such attempts are recorded on the borders with Romania and Moldova.
Russian oil supplies decreased by 320,000 barrels per day in the week to August 24 due to infrastructure damage and the doubling of US tariffs on Indian goods. Export volumes to India have fallen by more than 500,000 barrels per day in the last two months.
After a call from Donald Trump, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reduced his resistance to Ukraine's accession to the European Union. Diplomats hope for a breakthrough on Ukraine's accession in the coming months.
German manufacturer Rheinmetall is opening Europe's largest artillery shell production plant near Hanover on August 27. The enterprise will produce up to 350,000 shells per year after reaching full capacity in 2027.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a "direct threat to Budapest" over his statements about shelling the Druzhba oil pipeline. Orban stated that it is impossible to enter the EU through blackmail, explosions, and threats.
