Slovakia
The European Commission is proposing a legal solution to avoid Belgium having to pay billions of euros if Hungary vetoes the extension of sanctions against Russia. This would allow €140 billion of frozen Russian assets to be used as a loan to Ukraine.
NATO is stepping up preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia, while the US is reducing its military presence in Europe. The number of American troops has already been reduced in Romania, and similar steps are planned in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki limited his trip to Hungary, refusing to meet with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This decision was made due to Orban's visit to Moscow, which caused concern in Warsaw.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that after the war, Ukraine would become a buffer state between the West and Russia, as it was before the war.
Ukraine, Slovakia, and Slovenia have been elected to the OPCW Executive Council for 2026–2028. Russia suffered its third consecutive defeat, failing to join the governing body.
The State Customs Service prevented several attempts to import the narcotic tea Mitragyna speciosa and the SPIRULINA supplement into Ukraine, discovering the largest consignment at the border with Hungary. In total, hundreds of kilograms of crushed kratom leaves, which are a narcotic substance, were seized.
The director and beneficial owner of a private company have been заочно notified of suspicion of embezzling UAH 28 million allocated for the purchase of drones for a state order. Both suspects have been declared internationally wanted after transferring funds abroad through fictitious structures.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced his support for the American "peace plan" for Ukraine, believing that Russia would emerge victorious from it. He noted that the current version is less favorable for Ukraine than in 2022, but could quickly end hostilities.
The European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Slovakia over the adoption of a constitutional amendment that declares the priority of national law over EU norms. This has escalated tensions between Brussels and Robert Fico's government.
The Ministry of Energy denied Ukraine's electricity exports, explaining that production is entirely for domestic consumption. Damage to thermal and hydroelectric power plants by enemy attacks has reduced production capacity, so exports are not carried out.
Political scientist Oleh Lisnyi emphasizes that all discussions about the US peace plan revolve around rumors. He also points out that Ukraine's position remains unchanged.
The Ukrainian national team will face Sweden in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers play-offs. If they win, Ukraine will play in the final against the winner of the Poland – Albania match.
Poland is launching a pilot defense program wReady for civilians, which will last until December 14. It is designed to increase readiness for crisis situations amid threats from Russia.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is considering suing the EU over plans to stop Russian gas supplies from 2028. Slovakia and Hungary criticize these plans due to their dependence on Russian energy carriers and fears of economic consequences.
Ukraine plans to demand $43 billion in climate damage compensation from Russia to fund an environmentally sound post-war recovery. This was announced at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, citing a report that estimates greenhouse gas emissions from the invasion at 236.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
Ukraine expects the first gas supplies via the Greek route in January 2026, which is more expensive than the Polish LNG terminal. This route, although flexible, requires cooperation with five operators.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Fico asked NATO to strengthen Slovakia's air defense, emphasizing the country's sovereign right to choose the pace and structure of military spending.
Thousands of Slovaks protested against Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian stance. The rallies took place on the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which Fico's government canceled as a public holiday.
Russia's fossil fuel exports in October fell to their lowest levels since the start of the full-scale war, amounting to 524 million euros per day. This is 4% less than in September, due to Ukrainian attacks and international sanctions.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, during a speech at a school in Poprad, called on schoolchildren who support Ukraine to go to war with the Russians. Some students left the hall, unfurling the Ukrainian flag.
Minister of Youth and Sports Matviy Bidnyi reacted to the discussion of his wardrobe on social networks, stating that his suits are sewn by Ukrainian craftsmen from the Indposhiv atelier. The average cost of such a suit is 65,000 hryvnias, which is significantly less than the mentioned Isaia brands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU allies to overcome differences on using frozen Russian assets, as new funding is critical for the country's economy. The EU has postponed a decision until December on using Russian state assets to provide Ukraine with €140 billion in loans, facing objections from Belgium and Slovakia.
In Peru, a passenger bus fell into a deep ravine in the Arequipa region, killing at least 37 people and injuring dozens. The accident occurred early in the morning on the Panamericana Sur highway.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that Hungary's claims about the Janaf pipeline's inability to replace Russian oil are false. He emphasized that Janaf has sufficient capacity to supply all necessary crude oil to Hungarian and Slovak refineries.
The European Union has imposed a ban on Russian oil imports, making exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia for their energy security. Brussels wants to completely abandon Russian energy carriers by the end of 2027.
The investigator stopped the criminal prosecution regarding Slovakia's transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. The transfer of military equipment did not harm the Slovak Republic.
Following a collision between two trains near Pezinok, Slovakia, 79 people were hospitalized. Three passengers sustained serious injuries, while 60 suffered minor injuries.
In Slovakia, two passenger trains collided between Bratislava and Pezinok, resulting in dozens of injuries. At the time of the accident, there were about 800 people on the trains, mostly students.
Romania and Bulgaria are trying to prevent the shutdown of their critical oil refineries as US sanctions against their Russian owners take effect on November 21. Bulgaria is considering nationalizing Lukoil's refinery in Burgas, while Romania views nationalization as a "last resort" for the Petrotel refinery.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his country would not support the European Union's idea of using Russian assets to cover Ukraine's military expenses. Fico will not support the use of 140 billion euros from frozen Russian assets to go towards Ukraine's reconstruction or aid.