Ukraine updates in English

[N0TZU]

Congratulations to Kate! (And to mom and dad!)

I agree with you guys about getting older. I’m scheduled for surgery soon to fix two relatively minor effects of being a “senior citizen”. It’s like when a car has high mileage, one expects that parts will degrade or fail and it’s only a matter of what and when. Unlike a car, new bodies are not yet available. Maybe next century.

However the really good news IS being older.

[US7IGN]

It happens to everyone if they live long enough, although the age it happens can vary quite a bit from person to person. As you say, we depend on God to get us through each day, and indeed, through life in its totality. My awareness of this fact increases with age.

You're right, but I've become more careful about the signals my body sends me. It's hot again this morning and I've been feeling weak since the morning. I try to continue walking or cycling in the mornings while it's not too hot, but today I got home early. In the afternoon it’s +37C again and I can only lay on the coгch, listen to the radio and read books. Orwell's Burmese Days I finished in three days and today I started reading Taleb's The Black Swan.

Today is a IARU HF World Championship, but I’m not even trying to participate in it due to lack of electricity and strength.

Today I read that the authorities continue to strengthen the western border and have banned tourists from visiting popular tourist routes in the Carpathian Mountains.

"This is not our war": the results of the NATO anniversary summit - the West continues pootin's policy of appeasement. The 75th NATO Washington Summit was supposed to be a triumph for the Biden Administration before the elections in November. Instead, it turned into a sentence for Joe Biden, the Democratic Party and the United States on the international stage.

For Ukrainians, the 75th NATO Washington Summit was yet another disappointment. Thus, in the final declaration, the allies pledged to "support Ukraine on the irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including membership in NATO." We were promised more weapons and air defense. But for fear of provoking russia, the Alliance does not say when and under what conditions we can be accepted into NATO. Nobody wants to fight for Ukraine in the future, no matter how the war ends, given the russian nuclear arsenal. Because of fear of Moscow, the allies, led by the United States, do not lift restrictions on strikes with their weapons deep into russian territory.

There are more than 20 "public formations" operating in Odesa, which help employees of territorial recruitment centers. At the same time, their activities do not always comply with the law. This was announced by the editor-in-chief of "Intent" Valery Bolgan.
Bolgan said that the Odesa Regional Council appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers with a request to allow the reservation of 50% of the employees of Odesa's security agencies. Bolgan connects these "public organizations" and security agencies, because they often have the same names. https://odesa.novyny.live/dopomagaiut-ttsk-ale-diiut-za-mezhami-zakonu-v-odesi-ziavilisia-gromadski-formuvannia-181572.html
Thus, employees of private companies were involved in violating the law and the rights of the mobilized, and in return receive protection from serving in the army.

[US7IGN]

Congratulations to Kate! (And to mom and dad!)

I agree with you guys about getting older. I’m scheduled for surgery soon to fix two relatively minor effects of being a “senior citizen”. It’s like when a car has high mileage, one expects that parts will degrade or fail and it’s only a matter of what and when. Unlike a car, new bodies are not yet available. Maybe next century.

However the really good news IS being older.

Thank you also!

The children's success gives me the hope that neither country nor friends can give you. In fact, compared to others, I am already happy because they do not cause problems. A difficult life made them understand many serious things early and stick to each other. Today they went together to buy Kate a laptop, for which she spent a long time collecting money from previous holidays. A lot of help from Guna will allow Kate to choose a good model. At least she deserved it. Previously, she used her mother's laptop for studying, but it is too old and large to take with her to the lyceum.

P.S. I hope your surgery will be safe and of the best quality.

[N0TZU]

P.S. I hope your surgery will be safe and of the best quality.

Thank you.

[US7IGN]

Heat waves and power outages continue, but rare air alarms do not result in actual attacks.

It’s very unusual that everything around is warm - the sofa, the toilet, the water in the tap.

My and Cicely’s program “Call Signs,” which we recorded back in 2022 for the BBC, continues to be heard in the Arles fine arts museum Reattu with French subtitles. Cicely had a hard time translating and communicating with the museum management, and I continue to wonder what incredible fate may await your creation. http://www.museereattu.arles.fr/eng/listening-balcont-july-august-2024.html

At the request of the Ukrainian side, Lithuania will stop free education for Ukrainian students. Despite the central government’s decisions, some higher education institutions – Vilnius College, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech) and Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) – have decided to continue to fully or partially fund the studies of Ukrainian students. https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2318823/lithuania-ending-free-tuition-for-ukrainian-students

The heads of the Baltic and Ukrainian public broadcasters on Thursday signed a memorandum on cooperation in crisis situations, aimed at creating mutual support mechanisms for the Baltic and Ukrainian public broadcasters: Lithuania’s LRT, Latvijas Televizija and Latvijas Radio in Latvia, Estonia’s ERR, and Ukraine’s Suspilne. https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2311428/baltic-ukrainian-public-broadcasters-sign-deal-on-cooperation-in-emergencies

Undoubtedly, the main event of recent days was the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Trump, which he used to his advantage, causing even more support from his fans and perhaps sympathy from the undecided. He shows courage and strength in opposition to Biden.

This once again reminded me of the lack of an alternative in Ukraine. And the point is not only that the authorities masterfully managed to remove the cancellation of elections and questions of their legitimacy from the agenda. This reveals the problem of the lack of public politicians in Ukraine who would enjoy the support of the people. A holy place is never empty, which introduces great uncertainty as to who and how will attempt to challenge the powers of the current government and what consequences this will lead to in a country whose people are already quite polarized by their participation and attitude towards the war.

However, the current government has also never made any attempt to explain its actions or discuss them with anyone. Every decision of the authorities is presented as the only possible and correct one. For example, in one of the interviews, Zelensky again refused to explain Zaluzhny’s resignation in any way and evaluate Sirsky’s effectiveness. Also, nothing was said about the other candidates or the motives for appointing Sirsky rather than someone else. The Constitution is on pause, the task of the people is to serve the authorities.

[N0TZU]

I’m very glad that missiles have not been falling near you lately.

Very nice that Call Signs is still available at the museum. (I just checked and it’s still available on the BBC website too.)

On the topic of Lithuanian tuition for Ukrainians, well at least your authorities are (mostly) consistent in trying to force everyone to stay inside the country. /s.

I hope the agreement between the public broadcasters will not need to be exercised in any large way.

About the assassination attempt on Donald Trump:

It was horrific. Fortunately Trump sustained only a minor injury. However one bystander died trying to shield his loved ones, and two others are in still in critical condition, last I heard. 

I believe that this cannot be and will not be tolerated by the country, despite some pundits opining that we are descending into a maelstrom of political violence. There is however a real risk of “stochastic terrorism” from extremely demonizing rhetoric and that must be curtailed by *everyone* with a public voice.

Investigations are ongoing but so far there’s been no disclosure of a motive. Offhand, from public information, the shooter appears not to have had a strong political interest but it’s very early in the investigation and that could change.

I pointed out to my 30-something son, who’s never seen such events, that a political motive is by no means a foregone conclusion. At least half the time by my estimate such people often have mental problems or wanted to gain infamy before their “suicide by cop”, or were angry at the world for their own failures, or a motive could not be established.

I’m old enough to well recall the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 and subsequent assassinations of ML King, R Kennedy, paralyzing of G Wallace, and the later attempts on Presidents Ford and Reagan, who was injured. Those were chaotic times.

It’s quite obvious from the known facts, aerial photos, eyewitness accounts and videos that the combined efforts of local police and the US Secret Service were badly flawed, allowing the shooter carrying a rifle to gain access to an elevated position on the roof of a metal building only 130 yards away. That distance is a relatively easy shot with most rifles even by someone with modest practice, especially using a lightly recoiling 5.56 caliber (as I know from big game hunting experience).

Bystanders observed the shooter and told local police on scene about him but that was (apparently) not timely communicated to the USSS protective detail and their sniper teams on roofs behind the podium. The local police (apparently) went to find the shooter but by then it was too late.

[US7IGN]

On the topic of Lithuanian tuition for Ukrainians, well at least your authorities are (mostly) consistent in trying to force everyone to stay inside the country. /s.

Their intentions lead to the opposite effect. Fewer and fewer people want to stay and fight for a country that treats them like this.

4 soldiers escaped from training and tried to cross the border with Moldova on foot, one was killed by border guards https://ukranews.com/ua/news/1020068-4-vijskovyh-vtekly-z-navchan-i-namagalys-pishky-perejty-kordon-z-moldovoyu-odnogo-vbyly

The authorities again disrupted the visit of former president Poroshenko and the “ES” deputies to the USA – a statement of “European Solidarity”. At a time when the world’s attention is focused on the dramatic events in the USA, the Ukrainian authorities quietly blocked the trip of the delegation of “European Solidarity” led by Petro Poroshenko to the pre-election Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Republicans and representatives of more than fifty center-right political forces from around the world. https://eurosolidarity.org/2024/07/14/the-authorities-again-disrupted-the-visit-of-poroshenko-and-the-eu-deputies-to-the-usa-a-statement-of-european-solidarity/

So far, in the competition for restrictions on human rights, Ukraine is the undisputed leader in restrictions on movement and physical freedom for men and some women, and russia in restrictions on freedom of speech and access to information. Of course, no restrictions apply to representatives of the ruling regime.

Responding to a question about Poland's potential shooting down of russian missiles over the territory of Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg said that this would not happen. According to him, this will be "interference in the war", and the North Atlantic Alliance does not want such a development. "NATO's policy remains unchanged - we will not participate in this conflict, we will not become part of it," he added. https://24tv.ua/dozvolyat-polshhi-zbivati-raketi-nad-ukrayinoyu-nato-vidpovili_n2596844

India on Monday raised with the Ukrainian Ambassador to India the remarks made by his President Volodymyr Zelensky against PM Narendra Modi during his russia visit. The MEA had summoned the Ukrainian envoy on Monday and raised the issue, ET has learnt. This clearly indicates New Delhi’s displeasure with the Ukrainian dispensation on the issue of Zelensky’s comments against the PM. It has also been learnt that India postponed a meeting of the joint working group on culture with Ukraine in the backdrop of the incident. Last week Zelensky had criticized Modi's meeting with russian President Vladimir pootin at his dacha, calling it a "devastating blow to peace efforts." He stated, "It is disheartening to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the world's most notorious criminal in Moscow".
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-summons-envoy-to-raise-zelenskyys-criticism-of-modi-putin-meet/articleshow/111763232.cms

[US7IGN]

In light of the discussion about the procedure for passing a medical commission during mobilization and numerous violations in this case, the information that appeared two years ago that the final beneficiaries of the medical information system Helsi used by doctors and hospitals in Ukraine, as well as one of the mobile operators Kyivstar are russian. https://forbes.ua/company/ugoda-iz-bagatma-nevidomimi-14122022-10093

But it seems that this does not bother anyone and all personal information about the health of future soldiers is available to the russians, as well as the possibility of manipulating it.

Some even consider formal medical examination and sending sick and old people to the front a deliberate state policy to get rid of such consumers of the state budget in the form of social and pension payments.

It was very interesting to listen to the Scientific and Practical Round Table "International Arbitration: a legal weapon against the aggression of the russian federation". https://www.iepd.kiev.ua/?p=17323
In essence, the existing mechanisms of compensation for the damage caused by russia were discussed, among which international arbitration was only one such tool. An unexpected effect of the sanctions applied by the Ukrainian authorities against russians and russian companies was found. In the case of receiving money from sanctioned persons during the implementation of international arbitration decisions on the account of the Ukrainian debt collector, such money is blocked by the Ukrainian bank and is subsequently subject to recovery in favor of the state. Because of this, the use of this mechanism is meaningless for Ukrainian business.

It is also necessary to include the costs of social rehabilitation of veterans in the damage to be compensated by russia. For example, a young person who has lost limbs can only count on a pension of $400 per month. Funding for prosthetics is also very limited. Ukraine does not have such money, and it is russia's obvious fault for the appearance of such additional costs.

Unfortunately, during the third participant’s speech, the electricity was turned off and I was unable to listen to the rest.

[US7IGN]

Yesterday there was a thunderstorm and there was an air attack at night. Something was shot down very close and loudly, but there were no casualties or destruction in Kyiv. At the front, the russians are gradually seizing new territories, despite inspiring articles in Western media that they are running out of people and weapons. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/07/17/russias-new-artillery-piece-is-a-70-year-old-behemoth-firing-north-korean-shells/

I think I heard this already last year.

The Ukrainian authorities also report on the success of mobilization and the next formed brigades to be sent to the front, but nothing is heard about those who returned.

Thinking people are surprised by the government's attitude towards Ukrainians. Employers no longer want to keep people at work who can be mobilized at any time without the possibility of return (demobilization). Nothing personal - this is business. Ukrainians go to war, and instead of them, non-residents of Ukraine, who are not subject to mobilization, will work.

Serhii Cherednyk, a nuclear physicist and leading engineer of the Institute of Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, was killed in the war on June 28. This shows that no one needs smart people here. In developed countries, people of this profession are under the protection of special services, but in our country they mobilized and nobody care. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/viyni-zaginuv-vidatniy-inzhener-institutu-1719500640.html

The Ministry of Defense reported that it had voluntarily updated the data of 4,690,496 conscripts. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=804902775155510&set=a.234922828820177

This is slightly less than half of the official number of Ukrainian men aged 18-60. This allows the authorities to count on the possibility of continuing hostilities for several more years, provided that the west supports them with weapons and money. The experience of Syria shows that with external support, the war can last a very long time. And any war, civil or not, is always the same - some fight and die, while others hold power and earn money.

But Trump's election company makes his victory more and more likely, and his position regarding the war does not suggest its prolongation.

The German cabinet passed its 2025 budget on Wednesday after months of wrangling, even though a 17 billion euro ($18.6 billion) gap between projected spending and revenue has still to be covered. Next year's budget will be less generous to Ukraine, with the government cutting military aid for the country to 4 billion euros from around 8 billion euros in 2024, according to a draft seen by Reuters. Germany expects Ukraine will be able to fund the bulk of its military needs with $50 billion in loans from the Group of Seven backed by proceeds of frozen russian assets. It hopes, therefore, that funds earmarked for Ukraine will not be fully used. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-coalition-set-pass-2025-budget-mid-term-financial-plan-2024-07-17/

It is significant that in two years the idea of ​​foreclosure on the frozen assets of russians has already been transformed into providing Ukraine with a loan secured by frozen assets. I am sure that this money has long been used by russia according to the scheme that is used in Ukraine to transfer money to the occupied territory. You find people in Kyiv who are doing business with someone in the occupied territory for example in Donetsk and who owe them money. You give money to people in Kyiv and their debtors in Donetsk give the same amount to the person to whom you want to transfer the money. They charge you a small percentage, but everyone wins in this scheme. You can transfer money, the business can carry out mutual settlements. I also don’t see any big problems for russia using this money under an agreement with the banks in which accounts they are. In Ukraine, a scheme is used in which the owner of seized property can continue to use it for a bribe. Why don’t the owners/management of banks, with the consent of the authorities, for a small bribe of several billion, do the same as the officials who manage seized assets in Ukraine?

[US7IGN]

I came across an interesting opinion that russians expect nothing from pootin’s war. https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/07/15/russia-public-war-ukraine-putin-peace/

However, it would be more correct to say “from the war.” This war is the same for pootin as for every russian, who diligently pretends that there is no war and it does not concern him. But the author of this article should ask the russians not only the question “do they want the war to end?”, but also ask them whether they are ready to return all the occupied territories along with Crimea and compensate for the damage caused? And then the real attitude of the russians towards the war and everything that they are doing together with pootin will immediately become clear.

Despite the return to the system of one nuclear power unit, the situation with outages did not improve. Ukrenergo worsened the power outage schedule due to the failure of equipment at two energy facilities at once due to damage from missile attacks, and three more transformer substations at the nuclear plant burned down due to heat and overload. https://biz.liga.net/ua/all/tek/novosti/ukrenerho-pohirshylo-hrafiky-vidkliuchen-svitla-znovu-vyishlo-z-ladu-obladnannia

I took the risk of buying milk yesterday, but it turned sour and I will have to make pancakes using it.

Due to savings on generators and the heat in Kyiv, the number of food poisonings has tripled in a week. Retail outlets don't always run the equipment even if they have it, causing food in their refrigerators to spoil and consumers then complaining of digestive disorders. https://kiev.informator.ua/uk/ekonomiya-na-generatorah-ta-speka-u-kiyevi-za-tizhden-vtrichi-zrosla-kilkist-harchovih-otruyen

The Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that gives the Cabinet of Ministers the right to introduce a moratorium on payments on the external state debt until October 1, 2024. This happened on the eve of the maturity of coupons on government bonds. https://finance.liga.net/ua/ekonomika/novosti/rada-rozghliane-mozhlyvist-moratoriiu-na-vyplaty-za-derzhavnym-borhom

The lack of money prompts the government to raise taxes. Offered:
- increase the military tax rate from 1.5% to 5% for individuals;
- introduce a military tax rate for legal entities in the amount of 1% of income.
In addition, the government proposes to establish a military levy on some operations. These proposals were implemented in February 2024 within the framework of the IMF program. Then it was necessary to find sources of income in the amount of 0.5% of GDP. In particular:
- 5% of the value of bank metals;
- 30% of the cost of jewelry;
- 15% of the cost of cars;
- 5% of income from the sale of real estate by individuals;
- 5% of the tariff for the use of mobile communication.
It is also proposed to lower the threshold for import VAT taxation of international parcels from EUR 150 to EUR 45
https://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2024/07/18/716819/

In the first reading, the parliament also supported the draft law on the possibility of "paying back" for corruption. https://news.liga.net/ua/politics/news/rada-u-pershomu-chytanni-pidtrymala-zakonoproiekt-pro-mozhlyvist-vidkupytysia-za-koruptsiiu

The authorities also obliged providers of electronic communication services to provide physical infrastructure objects of electronic communication networks with mobile installations or batteries for the first 72 hours of operation without electricity. https://borgexpert.com/news/pryjniato-rishennia-dlia-pokrashchennia-mobilnoho-zv-iazku-pid-chas-vidkliuchen-elektroenerhii
At whose expense it should be done and whether it is technically possible at all is not reported.

[US7IGN]

The air temperature has dropped a little, but we still shouldn’t forget that it’s the middle of summer. I again have depression and apathy from not understanding what and how to do. Yesterday I spoke with my colleague who complained that it is impossible to achieve the protection of people's rights from bodies that are legally obliged to do this and are funded for this. He sees the reasons for this in the complete impunity of officials and believes that such a crisis of state power calls into question the ability of its continued existence.

There are rumors that the soldiers are in no hurry to fight diligently after Zelensky’s statement that with the support of allies, Ukraine can try to end the hot stage of the war by the end of this year. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c4ng93y6eyjo People decided that this meant concluding a peace agreement and there was no point in dying today if the war would end tomorrow.

Unfortunately, people continue to die after visiting mobilization centers without even having time to get to the front. https://informator.ua/uk/v-odesi-pomer-34-richniy-cholovik-yakogo-gospitalizuvali-zakrivavlenim-z-miscevogo-tck

At the briefing, the head of the Main Personnel Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Roman Horbach, said that after the term "limited fitness" was removed from the legislation, everyone is undergoing re-examination. As of today, less than 10% of citizens with limited fitness have been determined to be unfit for military service. https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/1001513.html

People joke that even Jesus did not reach this level of treatment and are waiting for medical commissions to start bringing the dead back to life, because after being wounded, soldiers return to the front, not home.

Former President Donald Trump said he “had a very good phone call” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. The call between the two leaders, who have had a complicated relationship, marks their first conversation since Trump left the White House and comes the day after he formally accepted the Republican Party’s nomination for president. It also comes amid concerns in Europe about what Trump’s policy toward the russia-Ukraine war would be if he were to win the presidential election in November.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times.”

Trump continued, “I appreciate President Zelensky for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.” https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/19/politics/donald-trump-zelensky-phone-call-2024/index.html

There was a statement on social networks that US Vice Presidential candidate on Donald Trump’s team, J.D. Vance, refused a telephone conversation with the head of Zelensky’s Office, Ermak. https://x.com/Zlatti_71/status/1814037471841194374

The reliability of the information in the post is questionable and you should wait for confirmation. But if this is true, then this gives hope for Ukraine...

[KD8ZM-Brady]

The Trump statement is not surprising. As I have mentioned several times, despite any political rhetoric, both parties support an independent Ukraine and will continue to provide aid, accordingly.
Be well, my friend.

[US7IGN]

The Trump statement is not surprising. As I have mentioned several times, despite any political rhetoric, both parties support an independent Ukraine and will continue to provide aid, accordingly.
Be well, my friend.

Yes I agree. It's like treatment. Each doctor has a different approach and results.

Thank you! Just today I thought and decided that about half of the time I don't feel well and the other half I don't feel bad. It seems to me that last summer I felt even better, and maybe this year it is worse because of the abnormal heat. On the other hand, I now manage with a minimum of medication. My daughter says that it could be worse, so I have to think that everything is fine)

Kate is at a difficult age now and she often enrages her mother. I hear more about her achievements and everything is smoothed out by the distance, but sometimes I get the impression that I am talking to myself.

“The death of one man is a just death, the death of two millions is a statistic.” — Erich Maria Remarque, The Black Obelisk.

Iryna Farion died today after yesterday's assassination. A former Ukrainian MP, 60-year-old linguistic professor was known for the statement that “true patriots” of Ukraine should not speak russian under any circumstances. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp387p1zrgpo

Many called her a nationalist and someone who divides society, although I consider her a consistent patriot. Despite the controversial attitude towards her, the majority recognizes her devotion to Ukraine and the Ukrainian language. She was a truly unique person, the likes of which there are no more in Ukraine. It also saddens me that anyone can be shot on the street simply because of their views, although such cases usually occur when there is a dire need to divert the public's attention from something more important.

However, death in Ukraine is something completely ordinary.

After the body of a Ukrainian was found near the border with Ukraine in Moldova, apparently shot by Ukrainian border guards, the police of Moldova published a comment that the investigation is ongoing, and the body was sent for examination due to decomposition. https://www.facebook.com/border.gov.md/posts/pfbid02PL5ZqdUzvQALA9dafRhfK7QcFA7YZmb9mHMJAG3tq1vqaaKrZQBZkb7Z59qbRhykl?rdid=QNv8dMpfkfxJ9VnU

[US7IGN]

The temperature has dropped a little and is now around +30C during the day. Today it rained and thunderstormed. Every day Colin G3ZAF and I turn on the radio at 10:00 UTC and try to hear each other and again fail. However, on Saturdays we traditionally have meetings in Zoom where we continue to communicate and improve my English.

I sometimes communicate with distant stations on the radio, today with Japan JI1CAZ. But we barely heard each other and the QSO was short.

The main news is Biden's refusal to continue the presidential race in favor of his vice president, Kamala Harris. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/21/politics/inside-bidens-exit-from-2024-race/index.html

Many believe that her chances of winning elections are even less than Biden’s, but I would prefer to wait for the official results. Moreover, bullets can make significant adjustments to the plans of any candidate.

Facing difficult frontline reality and the prospect of Trump in the White House, Zelensky hints at negotiations with russia. struck an unusually subdued tone as he addressed his nation this week, hinting at a willingness to negotiate with russia for the first time since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion more than two years ago.

Zelensky suggested Moscow should send a delegation to the next peace summit that he hopes to hold in November. russia was not invited to the previous peace conference, held in Switzerland last month, as Zelensky said any talks could only happen after a russian withdrawal from Ukraine.

Kyiv is currently facing the double whammy of a difficult frontline situation and political uncertainty over the level of future support from Ukraine’s closest allies. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/20/europe/ukraine-zelensky-uncertainty-russia-negotiations-intl/index.html

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky shared information about daily losses at the front. He stressed that he receives daily data on the number of dead and wounded, and these numbers are not decreasing, highlighting the negative trend. https://informator.ua/uk/zelenskiy-povidomiv-pro-negativnu-tendenciyu-u-lyudskih-vtratah-ukrajini-na-viyni

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko believes that the coming months will be "very difficult" for Volodymyr Zelensky, and that he risks "committing his life by political suicide." Klitschko also said that the president will probably have to organize a referendum to discuss territorial compromises with russia with Ukrainians. But he added that he was "not sure" that Zelensky "is ready to give up the centralized power in his hands, which martial law guaranteed him from the first day of the russian invasion." https://www.corriere.it/esteri/24_luglio_21/sindaco-kiev-intervista-a4020136-15d7-45ec-82a2-fc0a50d83xlk.shtml

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson published a large article in which he is sure that Trump, if elected President of the United States, has the strength and bravery to save Ukraine and end this appalling war. He also believes that pootin would have to pull back at least to the pre-invasion boundaries of 2022, and to avoid future conflict and uncertainty the rest of Ukraine would have to be recognised as a free country, able to choose its destiny within the EU and Nato. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13652007/BORIS-JOHNSON-convinced-Trump-strength-bravery-save-Ukraine-end-appalling-war.html

[N0TZU]

I sincerely hope that Johnson is correct about Trump vigorously supporting Ukraine, if elected. If all he did differently was remove weapons use restrictions it would be a huge step forward for Ukraine.

Unfortunately however Boris cannot know if Trump meant what he said since he lies frequently and promises the moon.  He is also famously transactional and erratic, so even if he did mean it, when the day actually comes he may do something very different or nothing at all.

What is needed is resolute principled support and action. Perhaps he will do exactly that, and I hope so.

As Trump is fond of saying, “we will see what happens” - if and when.