Interfax Ukraine

Ukrainian medium-range ballistic missile could have prevented Russia's 2022 invasion – Kuchma Ukraine's second president (1994–2005) and former CEO of Pivdenmash, Leonid Kuchma, holds a hopeful outlook for Ukraine's missile industry, convinced that it can make a decisive contribution to Ukraine's success in the ongoing war. "The Ukrainian missile industry is my destiny, my pride, my pain, and my hope. I believe it has a great future. And it's now not only about my own Pivdenmash or Pivdenne Design Bureau, but also a host of other manufacturers whose developments are either known [like the Neptune missile], or still classified as they remain a planned surprise for our enemies," Kuchma said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. Reflecting on Russia's "hybrid war" that began 15 years ago, Kuchma advocated for the revival of Ukraine's missile industry, urging strategic investment in Pivdenne Design Bureau and Pivdenmash. "These entities are capable of providing what Ukraine critically needed. I'm convinced that if by 2022 we had developed our own medium-range ballistic missile capable of reaching Moscow, it would have served as a non-nuclear deterrent to Russia and prevented Putin's aggression," he said. He further noted that how Ukraine's missile production is organized, and whether it includes a space component, will depend on various war-related factors. "For as long as this war lasts, missile production will remain a top target for Russian attacks… but the contribution of missile manufacturing to our victory could be so impactful that all security efforts to protect these facilities are strategically justified," Kuchma said. https://lnkd.in/dTfe25cu

Ukraine needs unity in domestic policy, clear consistency in foreign policy – Kuchma The second President of Ukraine (1994-2005) Leonid Kuchma notes the importance of ensuring unity in domestic policy and transparent consistency of actions in foreign policy by the Ukrainian authorities in the context of the war with the Russian Federation. "In domestic politics, it is internal unity. At the beginning of the Great War, we had it. The army, society and power, one might say, were a monolith. Even within the political establishment, squabbling disappeared for a time. Today, this is no longer the case," Kuchma said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, answering the question of what, in his opinion, should be changed in the country's domestic and foreign policies to improve the situation. He noted that numerous contradictions have begun to appear in society. "Yes, the main thing has not changed: we are still united by hatred of the enemy. But we have less mutual understanding. Unlike alarmists and provocateurs, I am not saying that this is approaching defeat. But this is definitely delaying victory," the second president noted. In foreign policy, according to Kuchma, "it would be useful for a clear sequence to return." He noted that last year, "a certain pluralism’ appeared in Ukraine's global communications. ‘I understand why this is happening. Some of our theses should be heard by the collective West, and others by the global South. Some are defenders of fundamental Western values, others are supporters of ‘business as before’ with Russia. Some are decisive ‘hawks,’ others are cautious ‘peacekeepers.’ Yes, we must convey ‘his’ thesis to each addressee. But the problem is that they sound simultaneously. And if you want, you can see inconsistency in them - and many of our partners have such a desire," Kuchma said. The second president noted that partner countries understand perfectly well why Ukraine is conducting such diverse communications, "but this polyphony gives them the opportunity to pretend to be naive." "Like, how is that possible? If Ukraine is holding summits on the need for peace, how can we talk about supplying it with weapons?" he explained. At the same time, Kuchma emphasized that he does not want to give recommendations or advice to the current government, but only noted what he considers most important. https://lnkd.in/dPm8xi3q

Rutte: I can confirm that DPRK troops deployed in Kursk region NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirms the deployment of DPRK military units in Kursk region (Russia) and says that support for Ukraine will be increased. He made the corresponding statement on Monday at NATO headquarters. The Secretary General said that this morning the delegation of the Republic of Korea informed the North Atlantic Council and other partners in the Indo-Pacific region - Australia, Japan and New Zealand - about North Korea's growing involvement in Russia's illegal aggressive war against Ukraine. The delegation included senior representatives of the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea. "Allies also shared their intelligence assessments. Today I can confirm that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia and that North Korean military units have been deployed to the Kursk region," Rutte said. "The deployment of North Korean troops represents one, a significant escalation in the DPRK's ongoing involvement in Russia's illegal war. Two, yet another breach of UN Security Council resolutions. And three, a dangerous expansion of Russia's war. NATO calls on Russia and the DPRK to cease these actions immediately. The deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security. It undermines peace on the Korean Peninsula and fuels the Russian war against Ukraine," the NATO Secretary General stressed. "Pyongyang has already supplied Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles that are fuelling a major conflict in the heart of Europe and undermining global peace and security. In exchange, Putin is providing North Korea with military technology and other support to circumvent international sanctions. This underlines the importance of democracies standing together to uphold our values and to face our shared security challenges. But the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk is also a sign of Putin's growing desperation," Rutte said. "Over 600,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Putin's war and he is unable to sustain his assault on Ukraine without foreign support. This is because the Ukrainians are fighting back with courage, resilience and ingenuity. NATO Allies will continue to support a free and democratic Ukraine because Ukraine's security is our security. Today we discussed the need to further strengthen military support to Ukraine. We are actively consulting within the Alliance, with Ukraine and with our Indo-Pacific partners on these developments. And we continue to monitor the situation closely," the NATO Secretary General stressed. The Secretary General also reported that today he has scheduled telephone conversations with the President of the Republic of Korea and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Umerov. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Syrsky denies Putin's statement about encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky denied the statement of Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kursk region and cited data on Russian losses in this direction. "The statement that was made by the head of the aggressor country at the BRICS summit about the encirclement of Ukrainian troops in Kursk region does not correspond to reality. This is outright disinformation that does not reflect the real situation," he wrote on Telegram on Friday. Syrsky said that Ukrainian troops "continue active operations in the Kursk direction, destroying the enemy's combat potential for the third month in a row. Despite the enormous pressure from the enemy in this direction, the occupiers are suffering significant losses in personnel and military equipment." Syrsky reported that from August 8 to the present, "Russian troops in this section of the front have lost: in personnel - 17,819 people. Of these: irretrievable - 6,662 people; medical - 10,446 people; and prisoners - 711 people." According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy's losses in weapons and military equipment during the same period are 45 tanks; 256 combat armored vehicles; 565 units of automotive equipment; 99 artillery systems; and five multiple launch rocket systems. "I am grateful to, Ukrainian soldiers, for their fortitude, endurance and true courage, which they demonstrate to our eternal insidious enemy in all areas and directions of the front," Syrsky concluded his post on Telegram with these words. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Zelenskyy: Sanctions against Russia to grow tougher, still have no effect expected by Europe Partners will impose tougher sanctions against Russia, but they still do not have the effect that Europe expected because they have not been introduced in full, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "The UK has introduced important sanctions that we asked them for. The sanctions will become even tougher. However, we raised the issue that the sanctions do not have the effect that Europe hoped for. Because they themselves did not impose them in full. This is a real loss of, I think, one or even two years," he said at a meeting with journalists on Monday. The head of state compared Russia to the Titanic, explaining that its economy will start to sink, but will do so slowly. "This is very important for us: so that after this war ends, they will not be able to recover in a month. And so that no sick thoughts appear, even years later," he said. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Zelenskyy: Victory Plan contains specific terms for appropriate implementation of items The Victory Plan contains the terms and specific dates before which the implementation of certain items of the plan would be appropriate for Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Commenting on whether it was true that Ukraine had announced a deadline of three months for partners to implement the Victory Plan or give some kind of response, the head of state emphasized that "there are deadlines in the plan. I just said that we have specifically and what we plan to do in these three months." "And there are specific dates in the plan when we believe the implementation of this or that item would be right for us," Zelenskyy told reporters on Monday, October 21. As for Plan B, he noted that there are no other plans "but preventing Russia from occupying Ukraine." "There is domestic production, when you find an alternative to this or that weapon – this is the only reinforcement. When you find this alternative in purchases from other countries, then you need to look for alternative sources of funding. We find them in frozen Russian assets. We were able to reach an agreement, and we found this way out," Zelenskyy said. He also said the money from the frozen Russian assets will come in tranches only at the beginning of next year. "But nevertheless, we found this money. And it was Plan B if the United States, for example, reduces financial support. That could be the case. Then we have to find money for procurement and for social support. And we found this money. From next year we will count on the corresponding frozen Russian assets," the president said. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Lithuanian-Ukrainian PA calls on parliaments of other countries to support Ukrainian Victory Plan – Stefanchuk The Parliamentary Assembly of Lithuania and Ukraine called on the parliaments and governments of other countries to support the Victory Plan, said Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. "Following the second session of the Seimas Assembly of the Republic of Lithuania and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, a Joint Declaration was adopted, in which the parties, among other things, supported the Victory Plan presented on October 16, 2024, by President… Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Verkhovna Rada, and also called on the parliaments and governments of other countries to support the Victory Plan," Stefanchuk wrote on Facebook on Monday. According to him, the declaration emphasizes the need for comprehensive support for joint military cooperation projects between Ukraine and Lithuania, including production, investments in Ukrainian defense production, projects in the areas of demining and rehabilitation, exchange of experience both in the field of defense and in preparing institutions and society for civil defense. "We agreed to continue supporting regional and multilateral military cooperation in various formats; confirmed that we will closely cooperate in order to continue and increase the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia and its satellite states, as well as to prevent the circumvention of sanctions," Stefanchuk emphasized. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Pentagon Chief announces $400 mln assistance package for Ukraine U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is on a visit to Kyiv on Monday, has announced a new package of assistance to Ukraine worth $400 million. During a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he announced the allocation of $400 million for ammunition, military equipment, and weapons for Ukraine. Austin reassured the United States' commitment to continue providing Ukraine with assistance in line with a bilateral security agreement signed by Zelenskyy and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden. The U.S. Secretary of Defense also said he was glad to discuss further strengthening of strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine today. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the military assistance package and for all the support the U.S. has provided since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the presidential press service said. "I thank the American people and President Biden. I am also grateful for the bipartisan support: we greatly appreciate everything that has been done since the start of this war. Thank you for the recent meeting in Brussels within the framework of the Ukraine – NATO Council. It was an opportunity to establish direct dialogue with the defense ministers of allied countries, and after that, there was a strong meeting at the G7 defense ministers' level," the head of state said. He noted that during a recent phone conversation with President Joe Biden, they discussed the Victory Plan, preparations for the winter period, Ukraine's air defense capabilities, and options for bolstering them. Among the key issues discussed during the meeting were the authorization to use long-range weapons against Russian military targets, increasing the production of strike drones and cruise missiles, as well as artillery shells and air defense systems. Plans for convening a new Ramstein-format meeting at the heads-of-state level were also discussed. "Special attention was paid to the importance of continuing clear coordination with international partners to provide security assistance to Ukraine," the press service said. The Pentagon said on a press release on its website that Austin arrived in Ukraine on Monday to meet with Ukrainian leaders and reiterate the support of the United States for Ukraine's fight for freedom. This is the Secretary's fourth visit to Ukraine as Secretary of Defense. During his engagements, the Secretary will meet with Ukrainian leadership and underscore the U.S. commitment to providing Ukraine with the security assistance it needs to defend itself from Russian aggression on the battlefield. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Zelenskyy: There’re three options of US offers to Ukraine after presidential elections The outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November is crucial for the future of Ukraine and its NATO ambitions, and there are three options for proposals after the U.S. elections, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. According to the Financial Times, U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said she would consider Ukraine's membership in the Alliance in the future. At the same time, Republican candidate Donald Trump criticized U.S. military aid to Kyiv and said he would resolve the conflict as soon as he is elected. "I don't know what they will offer us after the U.S. elections. We see three different scenarios," Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Financial Times. The president explained that one of them is further support, but at the same time the allies will be "afraid of some risks." Ukraine sees the other two options depending on who wins the U.S. presidential election. "Will they [the proposals to Ukraine] be more positive? Or less positive? Honestly, I don't know. And this is very sensitive for our people," added the head of the Ukrainian state. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778

Zelenskyy on Ukraine-NATO Council: We must act decisively, in unity to prevent Putin from gaining strength Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated the need for joint decisive actions by Ukraine and NATO countries in the face of the threat of a strengthening Russian Federation. “The meeting of the Ukraine–NATO Council at the level of defense ministers took place yesterday in Brussels. Right now, we must act decisively and in unity to prevent Putin from gaining strength and further fueling the war,” Zelenskyy said on X Friday. He noted the importance of supplying weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian military, air defense systems, ensuring the long-range capabilities of weapons, strengthening the Ukrainian defense industry through appropriate investments, and implementing agreements on financial assistance. “All these are all critical steps to enhancing the protection and security of our people and countries. Only through joint pressure on Russia, using all available means and tools, can we achieve our goal of a real and just peace as quickly as possible,” Zelenskyy stressed. https://lnkd.in/gAPan778