The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia commented on reports about the alleged resumption of issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens. The ministry stated that no ban on this had been introduced earlier, as Slovakia adheres to EU legislation.
Oil prices fell on Friday due to expectations of lower demand in the US. However, weekly gains persist amid uncertainty regarding Russian supplies.
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.
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.
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.
Czech volunteers from the Darek pro Putina initiative handed over a Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter to Ukraine. More than 20,000 people contributed to fundraising for it.
The Ukrainian World Congress recommends including Ukraine's allies in the list of countries for multiple citizenship. Congress President Paul Grod emphasized the importance of including Australia in this list.
MEP Rihards Kols stated that the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico, are destroying Europe from within. He expressed disappointment with Europe's stance and hope for changes in Hungary after the upcoming elections.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated that attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline threaten fuel supplies to Ukraine. The Slovak plant Slovnaft provides 10% of Ukraine's diesel consumption.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has always sought partnership with Hungary. Now, the further state of these relations depends exclusively on Hungary itself.
Ukraine successfully consolidates European partners and prevents capitulation at negotiations in Istanbul. The country has achieved significant successes in the development and testing of new models of missile weapons and drones.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban appealed to Donald Trump for help regarding the shelling of the "Druzhba" oil pipeline by Ukrainians. Trump responded that he was "very angry" and advised Orban to talk to Slovakia.
Hungary and Slovakia appealed to the European Commission due to interruptions in Russian oil supplies via the "Druzhba" pipeline. The countries demand security guarantees for supplies, citing EU promises.
Hungary stopped receiving Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline after the third strike in a short period.
An article by Ihor Harbaruk, Vice President of the "Ukrainian International Institute of Recovery", expert of the NGO "Economic Discussion Club".
Oil supplies to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have been restored after interruptions caused by damage on Russian territory. The Slovak Minister of Economy expects minimal impact on the total volume of supplies for the month.
In a phone conversation, Donald Trump emphasized to Russian President Putin the necessity of a direct meeting with Zelensky. This meeting, by agreement, is to take place by the end of August. Trump believes that the Kremlin leader should be a "realist"
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supports Ukraine's accession to the EU, but not to NATO, and believes that without resolving the issue of "territorial changes" it is difficult to achieve peace. He is also skeptical about additional sanctions against Russia and refuses to pay for weapons for Ukraine.
Border guards of the Chop detachment exposed a clergyman of the UOC who tried to illegally smuggle a conscript across the border for $10,000. He hid the man in his own car under his cassocks.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke about the "root causes of the war" in Ukraine and called for security guarantees for Russia. He also used talking points from Kremlin rhetoric when commenting on Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the coming days will show whether EU countries will support the peace process. He also expressed doubt about the effectiveness of the current European strategy to weaken Russia.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Brussels has ceased to be a key factor in world politics, and the negotiations in Alaska demonstrate a split in Europe. He also noted "experiments of external interference" in Central Europe.
A law enforcement officer in Zakarpattia organized a scheme to transport men of conscription age to Slovakia. He was detained while receiving a $5,000 reward.
The average annual salary of a Ukrainian ambassador in 2024 reached UAH 2. 95 million, including compensatory payments. Additional sources of income include property rental, gifts, and dividends from corporate rights.
In Zakarpattia, near the village of Pallo, 19 citizens of Ukraine who were attempting to illegally cross the border into Slovakia were detained. The violators were detected by cameras, and operational groups arrived at the scene.
The peak of the Perseid meteor shower falls on August 12-13, 2025, but the full Moon will complicate observations. Fewer meteors are expected, but bright "fireballs" are possible.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his country provides significant assistance to Ukraine, but relations cannot be one-sided. He pointed to Ukraine's cessation of gas supplies through its territory, which harmed Slovakia.
"Ukrzaliznytsia" for the first time organized the transportation of petroleum products from Germany to Ukraine in its own specialized tank cars. The entire route from Hamburg to the Ukrainian border was provided by the subsidiary UZ Cargo Poland Sp. z o.o.
