The Kyiv Independent
News, analyses, investigations, opinions, podcasts and more. On-the-ground reporting from Ukraine
Hungary's FM opposes NATO's long-term Ukraine aid plan, calls it 'crazy mission'.
Budapest will not participate in NATO's long-term plan to support Ukraine, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on May 8, calling it a "crazy mission," according to Reuters.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg proposed in April to create a $100 billion five-year fund to aid Ukraine in order to get the allied countries more involved in providing Kyiv with weapons.
According to the plan, NATO would also reportedly take over some operational duties of the U.S.-led Ukraine Contact Defense Group, which coordinates weapons deliveries from about 50 countries to Kyiv.
"Hungary will stay out of NATO's crazy mission despite all the pressure," Szijjarto said at an event in London, reiterating the Hungarian government's position.
Subscribe to Ukraine Daily newsletter
News from Ukraine in your inbox
Budapest has consistently opposed sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relations with Moscow throughout the full-scale war.
Ukraine has faced a worsening situation on the battlefield in recent weeks as well as an increase in successful Russian aerial attacks, both compounded by delays in Western assistance, particularly the months-long wait for the latest U.S. aid package.
The European Union also fell short of its target of providing Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery shells by March.
During Stoltenberg's visit to Ukraine in late April, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that partners "do have the opportunity" to set up a $100 billion fund.
"The details are very important to us, it is important that this is not at the expense of bilateral volumes, which are marked by our agreements on security guarantees," he added.
Zelensky: Ukraine secures stronger positions in Kharkiv Oblast amid Russia's offensive.
Zelensky also said that Ukraine successfully repels Russian assaults in Donetsk Oblast, including the area near the city of Chasiv Yar, which became one of the main strategic targets.
Ukraine war latest: Russian 'double-tap' strike north of Kharkiv kills 6, including pregnant woman.
Key developments on May 19: Russian 'double-tap' strike north of Kharkiv kills 6, including pregnant womanUkraine’s Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnightMedia: SBU drones strike airbase, oil refinery i...
UK defense secretary calls Germany to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles.
U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps on May 19 urged Berlin and other allies to send long-range missiles to Ukraine and to allow Kyiv to hit facilities in Russian-occupied Crimea.
Ukraine to receive 100 missiles from UK in May, UK defense secretary says.
London also sent Kyiv more than 30 pallets of parts, including anti-mine equipment, over a million rounds of small arms ammunition, 20 Viking armored amphibious vehicles, and over 4,000 items of military clothing.
Reuters: Iranian president's life 'at risk' after helicopter crash.
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on May 19 as it flew over a mountainous area in Iran through heavy fog.
LIVE: Video appears to show Diddy attacking ex, Pelosi attacker sentenced, more - CBS News Weekender.
(Warning: This video may contain violent and disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised.) Newly released surveillance video appears to show Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting his former partner in 2016, the man convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi...
Dow closes above 40,000 for first time ever
For the first time ever, the Dow closed above 40,000, ending a fifth straight winning week. NBC's Brian Cheung breaks down what that means for the economy. » Subscribe to NBC News: NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news b...
Paul Pelosi attacker sentenced to 30 years in prison.
David DePape, the man convicted of attacking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer inside their San Francisco home in 2022, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane ha...
Houston begins cleanup after hurricane-force winds tear through city.
At least four people are dead after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city of Houston this week. Officials warned residents that the cleanup may be slow, and those impacted by outages should prepare to be without power for ...
‘Obligatory loyalty’: Former Trump WH official reacts to Trump allies showing up to court.
CNN’s Jake Tapper talks to former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci about former President Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial, and the Trump allies who showed up to court. #CNN #News
'The Five' reacts to top-rated golfer Scottie Scheffler's arrest.
'The Five' co-hosts react to the world's No. 1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler, being arrested ahead of the PGA Championship’s second round. Credit: ESPN/Jeff Darlington. #FoxNews #Fox #TheFive Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more Fox News Video: Watch Fox...