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Ukraine's domestic affairs were marked by a significant anti-corruption development, with a former energy minister detained while attempting to leave the country and charged in an alleged $100 million graft scheme. This case is described as the largest under President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration. Despite this high-profile scandal, Ukraine was reported to have made progress in international corruption rankings. Separately, Zelensky announced national plans to begin exporting Ukrainian-produced weapons.
The European Union's financial support for Ukraine was a central and contentious international issue. EU member states agreed on the details of a major 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, funded by joint EU debt, with the European Parliament scheduled for a final vote. However, Hungary vetoed this loan package, a decision that also blocked a new set of sanctions against Russia. EU leaders urged Hungary and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to respect the previously agreed deal, while Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas reopened discussions about using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. In parallel, Russia took new actions to economically isolate Ukraine, with its rail chief stating aims to cut regions from Ukraine's train network and plans to ban ships visiting Ukrainian ports from Russian Black Sea terminals. Separately, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russia had pitched a massive $12 trillion economic deal to the United States.
4 topics | 57 sources
A former Ukrainian energy minister was detained while trying to leave the country and has been charged with money laundering. The case involves an alleged $100 million graft scheme and is described as the largest corruption case under President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration. Ukraine has made progress in international corruption rankings despite this and other high-profile scandals. Separately, Zelensky announced Ukraine plans to begin exporting its own weapons.
9 topics | 333 sources
Feb 28 — Feb 27
Hungary blocks a major European Union loan and new sanctions against RussiaHungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, used its veto power to block a 90-billion-euro European Union loan package for Ukraine. Orbán also blocked a new, 20th package of EU sanctions against Russia. Orbán linked the vetoes to a dispute over the Druzhba oil pipeline, claiming Ukraine has not repaired damage to the section that supplies Hungary. In response, EU leaders accused Hungary of undermining support for Ukraine and are reportedly considering ways to work around the veto. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said the loan would happen 'one way or the other'. The blockages occurred just before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU failed to approve the new Russia sanctions package and the financial aid, leaving the measures in limbo as discussions continue.