Author: The Ukrainian Weekly

Senators block bill with aid to Ukraine Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Feb­rua­ry 7 blocked a bipartisan border package, scuttling months of negotiations on the legislation, which included $60 billion in wartime aid to Ukraine. Many Republicans said the compromise wasn’t enough, even as supporters of the bill insisted it was the best possible...

The European Union’s recent decision to approve $54 billion in aid to Ukraine marks a significant milestone in the ongoing support for the country amidst its challenging geopolitical circumstances. The swift and unanimous agreement among E.U. leaders on February 1 underscores a unified commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s stability and resilience during a critical period in...

Six years ago, on February 9, 2018, a significantly smaller delegation of athletes from the Russian Federation, as compared to previous years, participated in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, due to widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes from the Russian Federation. Out of 168 athletes from Russia whom the International...

Top U.N. court rules on case against Russia The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a mixed ruling on Kyiv’s terrorism-financing complaint against Russia over Moscow’s activities in eastern Ukraine and on “racial discrimination” by Russia after it illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The Hague-based court said on January 31 that, while Moscow...

The continued detention of journalists in Russia, including RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, marks a deeply troubling and abhorrent act against global press freedom and human rights. As Ms. Kurmasheva spends her 100th day in a Russian jail, her case highlights the dire consequences journalists face for their commitment to pursuing the truth and holding elected...

Ten years ago, on January 30, 2014, Russia observer Paul Goble in his blog “Window on Eurasia” echoed a warning that Vladimir Putin may use the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics as cover for military action in Ukraine. Avrom Shmulyevich, a longtime Israeli specialist on the Caucasus, was first to raise the alarm when he identified...

Prime ministers agree to ‘new pragmatism’ Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmy­hal says he agreed with his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, on a policy of “new pragmatism” as the two neighbors try to improve relations that have soured since the populist Slovak leader won an election last year vowing to halt military aid to Kyiv. The...

In a significant and optimistic development, U.S. President Joe Biden took the initiative to host congressional leaders at the White House to break the gridlock surrounding a crucial foreign aid bill. The legislation encompasses essential security assistance not only for Ukraine but also for Israel and Indo-Pacific partners. The meeting signals a potential breakthrough as...

Five years ago, on January 22, 2019, the 100th anniversary of the Act of Union was marked in Kyiv with a human chain across the Paton Bridge, which spans the Dnipro River. Numerous other events across Ukraine celebrated Unity Day, when the Ukrainian National Republic and the Western Ukrainian National Republic united into one independent...

Biden invites lawmakers to discuss Ukraine aid U.S. President Joe Biden has invited congressional leaders to the White House for talks on January 17 on continuing aid for Ukraine, the White House said after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the West to be unified in its backing of Ukraine in a speech at the World...

In a chilling revelation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned the international community of Russia’s plans to launch a military offensive in Ukraine ahead of the presidential election in March. This strategic move aims at securing “small tactical victories” before potentially unleashing a “global or massive” operation. As the situation on the front lines becomes...

Two years ago, on January 19, 2022, during a press conference marking his first year in office, President Joe Biden speculated that Vladimir Putin would likely launch a military strike against Ukraine. “I’m not so sure he is certain what he is going to do. My guess is he will move in. He has to...