Ukraine is gradually approaching the start of negotiations on membership in the European Union, although Hungary is taking actions to block this progress.
Meanwhile, the United States is actively calling for aid supplies to Ukraine, since the US Congress has not yet decided to support the Ukrainian state, as proposed by American President Joe Biden.
Read about these and other main events on November 7 in Ukraine and the world in the digest on ICTV Facts.
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Zelensky introduced sanctions to the National Security and Defense Council
President Vladimir Zelensky enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on sanctions against nine companies that are associated with Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman and his partners.
The companies Sogeral Foundation, Haberfield Limited, Slavisilla Holdings Limited, and Dendar Investment Fund Limited were sanctioned by the National Security and Defense Council for 10 years.
At the same time, restrictions are imposed for two years against the companies Alfa Finance Holdings Limited, Erasmony Limited, Rissa Investments Limited, International Distribution Systems Limited, CTF Holdings SA
According to the sanctions, it is envisaged to block the assets of companies and prevent the withdrawal of capital from Ukraine.
Explosion in Zaporozhye
An explosion occurred during an air raid in Zaporozhye.
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Before this, the Air Force warned about the missile danger for the Zaporozhye, as well as the Kherson and Nikolaev regions.
– Attention! Threat of using ballistic weapons in areas where the alarm has been declared! Don't ignore air raid signals! Head for cover,” the military wrote.
Before this, the military observed the activity of enemy tactical aviation in the eastern and southeastern directions with the threat of the use of aircraft weapons.
Explosion in Krivoy Rog
In Krivoy Rog, Dnepropetrovsk region, an explosion occurred during an air raid in the morning. At noon there was another explosion.
This was announced by the Chairman of the Krivoy Rog City Military Administration, Alexander Vilkul.
– Krivoy Rog. Explosion. We maintain information hygiene,” he wrote.
According to the head of the Dnepropetrovsk Regional State Administration Sergei Lysak, the invaders hit an infrastructure facility near Krivoy Rog. Previously, no people were injured.
Explosions in Donetsk
Powerful explosions occurred in temporarily occupied Donetsk, after which a thick, black column of smoke began to rise into the sky.
According to local publicists and military correspondents, the so-called Republican Center for Unmanned Systems, which trained military drone operators, was under attack.
There are reports of dead and injured, but the number of casualties has not yet been specified.
New camps for Russian prisoners of war
Due to the large number of Russian prisoners of war, a new camp will soon be opened in Ukraine to hold the occupiers.
In parallel with this, work continues to prepare for the launch of another camp.
“The increase in the number of prisoners of war is associated both with the situation at the front, the deterioration of the motivation of Russian soldiers, and with the blocking of the exchange of prisoners of war by the Russian side,” the I Want to Live project says.
The camp itself is located deep in the rear, as provided for by the Geneva Conventions.
It is indicated that, as in the case of the West-1 camp, the conditions will meet all the requirements of international humanitarian law. The Russian military will be provided with medical care, three meals a day, communication with relatives, as well as constant access to representatives of the Red Cross.
The draft noted that the detention of prisoners of war exclusively in specially designated places is provided for by the Geneva Conventions.
The European Commission assessed Ukraine's progress
The European Commission will note on November 8 that Ukraine has fully complied with four of the seven criteria that accompanied the granting of candidate country status for EU membership.
This was reported by Radio Liberty, whose journalists received a report on Ukraine – an internal document of the European Commission.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna says that the language regarding Ukraine’s progress in the European Commission report will be “restrained,” but the final decision of the bloc’s leaders on opening negotiations is still ahead.
The official noted that around the expected report of the European Commission “there are a lot of emotions and little understanding of the path that opened before us on June 23, 2022.”
Orban's new threats
Hungary is threatening to block the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine at a summit in December until the law on language in education is repealed.
— New laws have made the life of Hungarians in Ukraine unbearable. We cannot agree with this,” he said.
A law was introduced in Ukraine obliging minorities, by the way, not only Hungarians, to receive at least 70 percent of their education in Ukrainian.
According to Orbán, Hungary is concerned that children growing up in Hungarian-speaking families in Ukraine will fall behind significantly in their studies.
“Hungary’s position is absolutely clear: as long as this law exists, there can be no discussions with Ukrainians about their integration into the European Union,” he emphasized.
The European Union will provide Ukraine with €250
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal said that the Cabinet of Ministers has approved an agreement that will attract another €250 million from the European Union for rapid recovery.
We are talking about restoring bridges, railways, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, residential buildings, as well as supporting Ukrainian farmers.
In addition, during a government meeting on November 7, Shmygal announced that the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine, together with the announced contributions, had already exceeded €300 million.
The US calls for assistance to Ukraine
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin and US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power called on the US Congress to approve the provision of $11.8 billion to Ukraine.
It was also signed by some members of the House and Senate.
The letter says that US officials on November 7 “sent a letter to Congress urging it to approve the Biden administration’s request to provide $11.8 billion in direct budget support to Ukraine as part of the additional presidential package.”
It is noted that the package initiated by Joe Biden provides for military, economic and humanitarian assistance “aimed at preserving US national security interests during global challenges.”
“Direct budgetary support for Ukraine is inextricably linked with its success on the battlefield in resisting the illegal invasion of the Russian Federation,” the appeal notes.
