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Trump will not give a penny to Ukraine – Hungary PM Orban

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently stated that if Donald Trump were to be re-elected as the President of the United States, he would not provide funding for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. Orban asserted that Trump has made assurances to swiftly end the conflict if elected again, albeit without offering detailed plans. According to Orban, Ukraine lacks the capacity to sustain the war without financial and military support from the United States.

Orban’s vocal support for Trump was evident during his recent visit to Florida, where he met with the former president. Notably, Orban did not arrange a meeting with the incumbent US President, Joe Biden. This move has raised eyebrows, particularly as it’s unusual for a visiting foreign leader not to meet with the current administration. Orban’s stance on Ukraine stands in contrast to many European Union leaders who advocate for providing aid to Ukraine and criticize Orban’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Concerns are growing within the international community that a potential second Trump presidency could lead to a reduction in US assistance to Ukraine and NATO. The deadlock in the US Congress over a foreign aid bill further exacerbates these worries. Influenced by Trump’s stance, Republican lawmakers are insisting on additional funding for border security before advancing the bill. Trump himself has suggested offering loans to Ukraine instead of providing aid without conditions.

Meanwhile, as Russian forces continue to make gains in eastern Ukraine, the country faces acute shortages of ammunition. Ukraine heavily relies on weaponry from the US and other Western allies to counter Russia’s significant military strength. The ongoing conflict underscores the critical importance of international support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

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Ukraine criticises Pope’s ‘white flag’ comment

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Ukraine has firmly rejected Pope Francis’ suggestion for Kyiv to negotiate an end to its conflict with Russia and to “raise the white flag.” The country’s foreign minister emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to its blue and yellow flag, stating they would never raise any other flag. President Zelensky dismissed the Pope’s remarks as “virtual mediation,” while a Vatican spokesman clarified that the Pope was advocating for negotiation rather than capitulation.

The Pope’s comments, made in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI and set to air on March 20, sparked widespread criticism. President Zelensky praised Ukrainian chaplains on the frontline but did not directly address the Pope’s statement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s allegiance to its flag, while the country’s ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope’s words to advocating talks with Adolf Hitler during World War Two.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the Pope used the metaphor of the white flag proposed by the interviewer to indicate a truce achieved through negotiation, emphasizing that negotiations are not a surrender. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has continued for over two years, with Ukraine facing defensive challenges. In the United States, a bill to provide $60 billion to Ukraine was blocked in Congress, and European countries are struggling to reach a consensus on supporting Kyiv.

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Ukraine war: Attack on Belgorod shopping centre in Russia near border

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The governor of the Belgorod region reported that an air attack in the Russian city resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eighteen others. Videos on social media depicted ambulances outside a damaged shopping center with broken windows. Russian authorities stated that their air defense systems intercepted 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, with one missile striking a shopping center and another hitting a sports stadium.

Belgorod, situated approximately 30km from the Ukrainian border, has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian forces since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly two years ago. This recent attack follows a previous drone and rocket strike in December that claimed 25 lives and injured 100, marking the deadliest assault on Belgorod thus far.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Russia launched 26 missiles at Ukraine, resulting in the death of a woman in Chuguyiv and multiple injuries. Meanwhile, the battle for the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka continues, with Ukrainian soldiers expressing concerns over shortages of weapons and ammunition.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that the US’s failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine is impacting the battlefield. Avdiivka holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and has been a focal point of conflict since the onset of the eastern Ukrainian conflict in 2014.

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Ireland women’s basketball team refuse to shake hands with Israel

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During a EuroBasket 2025 qualifier in Riga, the Ireland women’s basketball team declined to shake hands with the Israeli team before the match. Israeli player Dor Saar accused the Ireland team of being “quite anti-Semitic,” which Basketball Ireland strongly refuted, calling the comments inflammatory and inaccurate.

Before the game, the Ireland players stood for their anthem beside their bench rather than at the center court, a departure from the usual protocol. Despite concerns expressed by Irish players and pressure to boycott the fixture due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the match proceeded. Basketball Ireland reported Saar’s comments to Fiba Europe and explained their decision not to participate in traditional pre-match rituals.

Earlier, Basketball Ireland’s CEO warned of heavy fines and expulsion from the competition if the team boycotted their matches with Israel, stating it would harm women’s international basketball for years. Saar’s remarks were made in an interview on the Israeli Basketball Association’s website, where she suggested that the Irish team’s perceived animosity fueled a desire for a strong performance from Israel.

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Tucker Carlson to interview Russia’s Putin

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Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has announced plans to conduct a one-on-one interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Carlson stated that he aims to provide Americans with a deeper understanding of the conflict in Ukraine, which he believes mainstream media coverage has failed to deliver. He emphasized his personal funding of the trip, highlighting his commitment to independent journalism.

This interview would mark President Putin’s first engagement with a Western journalist since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Carlson’s decision to pursue this interview underscores the significance of the conflict and the need for diverse perspectives in understanding its complexities. It also reflects a departure from traditional media channels, as Carlson intends to broadcast the interview live and unedited on his social media platform, X.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks and ethical implications of such an interview, given Putin’s track record and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. However, Carlson remains steadfast in his belief that Americans deserve access to unfiltered information about the conflict. The interview is expected to spark significant interest and debate, shaping public discourse on both sides of the Atlantic.

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Ukraine war: Baby killed in Russian strike on Kharkiv hotel

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A tragic incident occurred in northeastern Ukraine as a Russian missile struck a hotel, resulting in the death of a two-month-old baby and injuring his mother. The governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Synehubov, reported the retrieval of the baby’s body from the collapsed building in Zolochiv. This attack, carried out with two S-300 missiles, also wounded two other women. The village’s proximity to the Russian border renders it vulnerable, as Ukrainian air defenses cannot adequately cover such areas.

Originally designed for Russia’s air defense, the S-300 missiles have been repurposed to target Ukrainian ground installations, deemed a cost-effective alternative to more precise cruise missiles. Recent months have seen increased assaults on the Kharkiv region, with another hotel targeted in Kharkiv city previously, resulting in numerous injuries, including journalists covering the conflict.

In response to Russia’s aggression, Ukrainian forces launched a lethal strike on Belgorod, near the border. Additionally, Ukraine’s SBU security service apprehended five individuals suspected of involvement in a Russian espionage ring, allegedly providing sensitive information to Russia’s FSB, including details on military assets and infrastructure.

As Ukraine braces itself amidst the ongoing conflict, President Volodymyr Zelensky contemplates strategic shifts, including potential changes in leadership within the armed forces. Despite challenges and setbacks, Zelensky emphasizes the importance of perseverance and unity in achieving victory.

While US military assistance to Ukraine faces delays due to political wrangling in Congress, the European Union has approved a substantial aid package for Ukraine, highlighting its steadfast support amid the approaching third year of conflict.

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Russian jet crashes carrying Ukrainian PoWs – Moscow

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A Russian Ilyushin-76 military transport plane crashed in the southern Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that the plane was carrying 65 captured Ukrainian military personnel for a prisoner exchange, but these details could not be independently verified. Reports initially suggested that the plane may have been downed by Ukrainian forces, but these were later deleted. Ukrainian authorities stated they did not have accurate information and were investigating.

Video footage showed the plane crashing and exploding near the village of Yablonovo. The regional governor confirmed all on board had died. Some Ukrainian media suggested the plane was transporting missiles for Russia’s S-300 air defense systems. The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence confirmed a planned prisoner exchange had been canceled.

The Russian defence ministry alleged that Ukraine fired anti-aircraft missiles from the Lyptsi area, claiming two Ukrainian missiles targeted the plane. A prisoner exchange was scheduled at a border checkpoint near Belgorod. Russian officials mentioned a second plane carrying 80 Ukrainian prisoners, but it changed course.

Ukraine and Russia have engaged in several prisoner exchanges during the war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, with ongoing conflict. The war’s toll includes casualties and intensified air attacks. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted a shortage of ammunition for Ukrainian forces, while Russia reportedly used over 600 missiles and 1,000 drones in the past two months. Ukraine relies on drones in its defense strategy, and recent attacks caused explosions, including at a gas export terminal near St Petersburg.

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Eurovision: Finnish artists want Israel barred from contest over Gaza war

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Over 1,400 Finnish music industry professionals have signed a petition urging the exclusion of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest due to alleged “war crimes” in Gaza. They are also calling for Finland to withdraw from the competition if Israel is not banned. The petition highlights concerns about Israel participating in Eurovision to enhance its image, and it follows similar demands made by Icelandic musicians to their broadcaster Rúv.

Yle, the Finnish broadcaster, is currently monitoring the stance of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of Eurovision. Signatories accuse Yle of double standards, pointing to its prompt call for a ban on Russia from the 2022 contest. Yle’s response suggests that the situation in Israel and Gaza is not considered equivalent to the inter-state aggression seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to Ville Vilén, a Yle representative.

The EBU has affirmed Israel’s participation in Eurovision, emphasizing that the event is for broadcasters, not governments, and that Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, complies with all competition rules. Yle plans to engage with the petition’s authors, and the EBU has previously stated that Eurovision is a non-political event, with Israel’s participation spanning 50 years.

This year’s Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Malmö, Sweden, and the UK will be represented by pop star Olly Alexander. Alexander faced criticism for endorsing a statement accusing Israel of genocide, with Israel dismissing the arguments as “absurd” and attributing them to anti-Israel bias. The Gaza conflict, mentioned in the context of the petition, has resulted in a significant loss of lives, displacement, and humanitarian challenges in the region.

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Russia’s new Black Sea naval base alarms Georgia

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In early November, 50 opposition MPs in Georgia urged NATO and EU member states to unite against Russia’s plan to establish a permanent naval base in Abkhazia, a breakaway region. The move has raised concerns that it could involve Georgia in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and disrupt Tbilisi’s plans for a Black Sea port. Abkhazia, though internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has been under Russian and separatist control since the 1990s.

Georgia’s foreign ministry condemned Russia’s plan as a violation of sovereignty, but officials downplayed the immediate threat. Satellite imagery suggests ongoing dredging and construction at the port, indicating potential infrastructure for larger cargo ships. Some fear the base could involve Georgia in a conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The head of Georgia’s Foreign Relations Committee emphasized the government’s focus on immediate threats, such as Russian forces near the occupation line. Despite assurances, concerns exist that the naval base could impact Georgia’s mega-infrastructure project—a deep-sea port in Anaklia, crucial for the Middle Corridor, a fast route between Asia and Europe avoiding Russia.

The Anaklia project was canceled in 2020, with accusations that the government yielded to Moscow’s interests. The cancellation led to international arbitration. The government maintains plans to revive the deep-sea port.

While Georgia has a pro-EU population, its government has a complex relationship with Moscow. Accusations of a pro-Russian stance were labeled “absurd,” citing EU agreements and aspirations. However, the delicate situation underscores Georgia’s vulnerability due to its history of conflicts with Russia and lack of NATO security.

Georgia alleges Russia is using the naval base to pressure against EU integration. A decision on Georgia’s EU candidate status is expected at a December summit. Officials assert Russia aims to undermine Georgia’s stability and European integration, showcasing its influence in the South Caucasus.

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Russia school shooting: Teenage girl kills classmate and herself

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A tragic incident unfolded in the city of Bryansk, western Russia, where a teenage girl fatally shot a fellow student before turning the gun on herself at Gymnasium No 5 on Thursday morning. Five individuals, including one seriously injured, were harmed in the shooting. The firearm used was reportedly registered under the girl’s father’s name, according to a parliamentarian.

Authorities were alerted to the situation around 09:15 local time, and one victim was undergoing surgery, as stated by Russia’s deputy health minister, Alexey Kuznetsov. The police suspect that the 14-year-old girl may have been involved in a conflict with classmates.

Local authorities are providing psychological support to students, teachers, and parents affected by the incident. Alexander Khinshtein, a member of the Russian Duma, revealed on Telegram that the girl’s belongings, including a box of bullets, were discovered during a school search. He emphasized the “neglectful attitude” towards the secure storage of the firearm as a contributing factor to the tragedy.

Strict gun laws in Russia require firearms to be stored in a special safe, accessible only by the legal owner, and subject to regular police inspections. Students reportedly barricaded themselves in a classroom upon hearing gunshots.

The governor of the Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy.” While school shootings have occurred in Russia in recent years, this incident is noteworthy as it involves a female shooter. In 2021, a 19-year-old carried out a shooting in Kazan, resulting in the deaths of seven children and two adults, and the following year, 18 people were killed in a school shooting in Udmurtia.

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