Politics
Zelenskyy is in London to discuss a defence partnership with the UK and has already met with Charles III
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is on a visit to the UK, where he plans to sign a new defence agreement. Prior to this, he met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
Oschadbank has reported pressure in the case in Hungary: following the freezing of funds, it filed a complaint alleging a “terrorist attack”
Ukraine’s Oschadbank has filed a complaint with the Hungarian Central Investigative Prosecutor’s Office regarding the seizure of a cash consignment in Hungary. The case involves allegations of abuse of office and terrorist offences, as well as individual complaints from seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit guards who were deported from the country following their detention.
Moldova lodged a protest with the Russian ambassador over the Dniester: water from the river was brought to the meeting
Oleg Ozerov, Russia’s ambassador-designate to Moldova, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 17 March, where he was handed a note of protest regarding the attack on the hydroelectric power plant in Novodnistrovsk. According to the Moldovan side, the strike caused an oil spill into the Dniester River and jeopardised the country’s water supply.
Iran’s new supreme leader has rejected proposals to ease tensions with the US
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has rejected proposals to ease tensions or agree to a ceasefire with the United States. The initiatives were conveyed to Tehran via two intermediary countries.
Competition for the post of Head of the State Migration Service: three NABU detectives and a customs officer received the lowest scores for the practical tasks
The selection panel for the post of Head of Customs has announced the results of the candidates’ practical assessment of their professional skills. Three NABU investigators and a serving customs officer scored the lowest marks at this stage. However, all candidates will be invited to the interviews, which are due to begin on 23 March.
Japan is warning companies planning to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction about the risks of data breaches
The Japanese government has warned private companies interested in Ukraine’s reconstruction of the risks of technical and confidential data leaks arising from the use of Huawei equipment in the development of 5G networks.
Ukraine has received the criteria for EU accession under the last three clusters
The Ukrainian delegation in Brussels has received the criteria (benchmarks) for accession to the European Union relating to the last three negotiation clusters.
A damaged tanker belonging to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, carrying fuel, is drifting off the coast of Europe
An oil tanker belonging to Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, which was recently struck by a drone, is drifting in the Mediterranean Sea. Italy says the vessel is carrying 992 tonnes of fuel and 66,000 tonnes of natural gas.
Callas called on the US and Israel to end the war with Iran
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has called on the US and Israel to halt the war with Iran and stated that the European Union is consulting with Middle Eastern countries on ways to bring the conflict to an end, and does not rule out European involvement in reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of a diplomatic solution.
A Trump ally has suggested using nuclear weapons to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Former Speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Gingrich has suggested using nuclear weapons to open the Strait of Hormuz. His statement came against the backdrop of Iran’s blockade of shipping.
Vienna has noted an increase in Russian intelligence activity targeting diplomatic facilities
In the Austrian capital, there have been reports of Russian diplomatic facilities being actively used to gather intelligence. According to experts and Western officials, these sites have become a key hub for the Kremlin’s signals intelligence operations.
Hungary is calling on the EU to temporarily suspend tariffs on fertilisers from Russia and Belarus due to the war in Iran
Hungarian Minister of Agriculture István Nagy has written a letter to the European Commissioners asking for a temporary suspension of tariffs on Russian and Belarusian goods, in particular on phosphate and potash fertilisers.
