While the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, explained that he was “thinking” about holding a presidential election in 2024, the conditions do not seem to be met. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is traveling to kyiv to discuss the enlargement of the European Union and Ukraine’s progress on the accession criteria.
On the ground, Russian forces are still trying to surround Avdiivka after a massive attack by Russian drones during the night from Thursday to Friday on several regions of Ukraine, including those in the South, West and Kiev.
Ursula von der Leyen in kyiv
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived this Saturday, November 4 in the morning in Kiev to discuss EU enlargement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, she announced on the social network I am here to discuss Ukraine’s path to EU membership, as well as EU financial support “to rebuild Ukraine as a modern and prosperous democracy,” she said. upon arrival at Kiev station.
The Commission must deliver its report on the state of progress made by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia on November 8, and decide whether or not to open accession negotiations, before the Twenty-Seven meet. take up the issue at a summit in Brussels in mid-December.
Russian forces attempt to surround Avdiivka
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the army contained the Russian advances near Avdiivka and repelled its assaults near Sieverne, Tonenke and Pervomaisk, three localities located around the city. “The Russians persist in their attempts to surround Avdiivka. However, Ukrainian soldiers hold on, inflicting heavy losses on the Russian occupation forces,” they said.
Russia announces military exercises with Burma
Russia has announced that it will conduct naval military exercises with Burma, a first in the “recent history” of the two countries. The Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Nikolai Yevmenov, “started his working visit” to Burma, the Russian Defense Ministry announced in a press release.
His program includes “participation in the opening ceremony of the first Russian-Burmese naval exercise in recent history” and a visit to the “warships” taking part, according to Moscow. The exact date of these exercises has not been communicated.
New US military aid for Ukraine
The United States announced Friday new military aid for Ukraine of $425 million, including anti-aircraft defense means. This envelope was approved by the American Congress at the end of September and “exhausts the remaining funds currently available”, specifies the Pentagon in its press release.
The aid includes artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, as well as small caliber ammunition worth $125 million. It also includes $300 million in laser-guided rockets, financed through the Ukraine Security Assistance Program through which Washington provides equipment to that country through its defense industry or partners rather than by drawing directly from its stocks.
Zelensky “considers” a presidential election in 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is “weighing the pros and cons” of organizing a presidential election in 2024, despite the war and the many practical “challenges”, his Foreign Minister said on Friday. “The Ukrainian president is thinking and weighing the pros and cons,” declared Dmytro Kouleba, who spoke by videoconference at the World Policy Conference, organized in the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s not that he doesn’t want to hold elections, but holding elections in the current circumstances would require unprecedented work and would require tackling unprecedented challenges,” he added.