EU Extends Military Support Mission for Ukraine, Adds EUR 409 Million Budget
The European Council has extended the mandate of the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine
In a two-hour television interview recorded for a Russian TV channel, but not yet aired, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko called for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Excerpts from the interview were published on the Belarusian leader's official website.
Lukashenko claimed that "high-ranking American officials" are keen for the conflict to persist and suggested that Western powers are encouraging Ukraine to continue fighting in order to weaken both Ukraine and Russia. As a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko criticized the recent entry of Ukrainian troops into Russian territory, which began on August 6, 2024. Ukraine reported that it had advanced 35 kilometers into Russian land within a week, prompting Russia to evacuate thousands from the Kursk region.
The Belarusian leader also expressed concern that Ukraine might have plans to attack Belarus and stated that he would not permit Ukrainian forces to cross into his country. He emphasized the need for negotiations rather than continued conflict.
Lukashenko argued that neither the Ukrainian, Russian, nor Belarusian people benefit from the ongoing war, which he believes is driven by Western interests. "Let's sit down at the negotiating table and end this conflict," he said, pointing out that the West is hoping the situation in the Kursk region will lead to increased mobilization and internal instability in both Russia and Belarus.
While Russia has indicated it would agree to peace if Ukraine relinquishes all occupied territories, Ukraine insists that any peace agreement must uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its pre-invasion borders. Lukashenko warned that although Belarus does not seek escalation or a war with NATO, it would have "no choice" but to respond if provoked by Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the U.S. presidential election and expressed Moscow’s readiness for dialogue with the president-elect
Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, stated that the West should acknowledge Russia's advantage in the conflict with Ukrain
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that it is uncertain whether Vladimir Putin will extend congratulations to Donald Trump on his election victory
North Korea has declared its unwavering support for Russia in the Ukraine conflict, with Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui stating in Moscow that North Korea would remain committed to Russia until it achieves victory
Russian opposition leaders Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza, along with Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of imprisoned politician Alexei Navalny, are set to organize an anti-war rally in Berlin on November 17
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed today that North Korea has deployed troops to Russia, with some already stationed near Kursk to support Russian forces against Ukraine
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