Setback for EU's Backing of Kyiv as Aid Opponent Wins Czech Vote
The prospect has emerged that the EU's backing for Ukraine could face additional complications from certain member states following billionaire Andrej Babis's victory in the Czech Republic's parliamentary elections. Babis's election pledge to halt military assistance to Ukraine places him alongside the prime ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico. This represents a dramatic change from the position of the outgoing Czech centre-right government under Petr Fiala, which has steadfastly backed Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022.
Review Pledged for Czech-Initiated Military Assistance Program
The likely incoming prime minister has vowed to reassess a Czech-led international initiative spearheaded by the current government that has delivered 3.5 million artillery shells to Ukraine since 2024.
"Portraying me as a likely obstacle is unfair," Babis stated after meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel.
The 71-year-old, Slovak-born politician stressed his pro-European stance and desire for "Europe to function properly." He noted that "Yearly, we contribute €2.5 billion to the Brussels budget, and obviously Brussels is assisting Ukraine, so I think we are doing our part."
Global Situation Concerning Russian-Ukrainian War
According to reports, US diplomats are preparing to notify UN member countries that the Cuban government is allegedly supporting Russia's military actions in Ukraine with estimates suggesting up to 5,000 Cubans may be operating beside Moscow's forces. Recent advisories from Ukrainian officials to US lawmakers have highlighted the expanding scope of Russian recruitment of Cuban mercenaries.
"Second only to North Korea, Cuba appears to be the largest provider of foreign combatants for Russia's military campaign, with roughly 1,000 to 5,000 Cubans involved in fighting in Ukraine," according to diplomatic communications.
President Zelenskyy Condemns Western Response to Intensified Strikes
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Western nations of showing "virtually no substantive response" to Russia's escalating aerial assaults following a massive attack on Sunday that resulted in six fatalities and eighteen injuries. The western city of Lviv, typically considered among Ukraine's safest urban centers, experienced its most extended and damaging bombardment since the beginning of Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy restated his appeal for Western allies to provide additional air defense systems to counter what he termed Russia's "aerial terrorism". He emphasized that "Currently, Russian forces again attacked our infrastructure, everything that enables people to maintain normal living conditions. We require enhanced protection, swift implementation of all defense agreements, particularly regarding air defense, to render this aerial terror ineffective."
Crimes Against Humanity Inquiry Launched Following Correspondent's Demise
French prosecutors announced on Sunday they had initiated a war crimes investigation after a drone strike killed 37-year-old photojournalist Antoni Lallican. The journalist was embedded with Ukraine's Fourth Armoured Brigade near the frontline in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region when he was killed on Friday. Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Ivanchenko was hurt in the same incident, which both Ukrainian military authorities and French President Emmanuel Macron attributed to Russian forces.
