Political correspondent covering Kyiv, the Verkhovna Rada and Ukraine’s diplomacy.
27 articles
Politics
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) claims Russia wants military agreements and port access across Africa at the Russia–Africa summit on 28–29 October. HUR published no evidence, and the claims are unverified.
Iryna Kovalenko · 26 Oct 2026
Politics
Zelensky says two of three problems raised with the US in Oslo, intelligence sharing and Starlink/Starshield limits, are lifted for now. Patriot missile supplies, he says, are moving "slower than the flight of Russian missiles".
Iryna Kovalenko · 25 Oct 2026
Politics
Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara met defence-industry representatives and promised level rules and more predictable state orders. He said a controlled export mechanism is being prepared, but only after army needs are met.
Iryna Kovalenko · 24 Oct 2026
Politics
In a podcast interview, Zelensky said agreeing to a ceasefire and talks is already a big compromise after Bucha. He said Trump could easily seat Putin at the table and should use the same rhetoric toward him as toward Kyiv.
Iryna Kovalenko · 23 Oct 2026
Politics
EU accession talks with Ukraine were formally opened on two more clusters, covering the internal market and competitiveness, on 13 October in Luxembourg. A Kyiv think tank says the talks now turn to practical, economic questions.
Iryna Kovalenko · 15 Oct 2026
Politics
Ukraine's Cabinet has allocated an additional UAH 60 billion to the Defence Forces, the Defence Ministry said. UAH 43.5 billion is for service members' pay and family support. The ministry did not say where the money comes from.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
President Zelensky says Kyiv lags behind nearly every other region in carrying out its resilience plan and has begun consultations on "urgent security and management steps". He promised decisions but gave no details.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
US President Donald Trump said "we have to make Zelensky want a deal" and that violations of the "energy ceasefire" were allegedly on both sides. Kyiv says Russia broke the truce; Moscow has not confirmed it.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
Ukraine's High Anti-Corruption Court approved a plea agreement with Artem Shylo, a former adviser at the Office of the President. He got an eight-year sentence, suspended for three years, and a UAH 204 million fine.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
Ukraine's parliament has approved a six-member advisory group of experts to select Accounting Chamber members, according to the Centre for Economic Strategy. The step is one of the conditions for €3.7bn in EU macro-financial aid.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
President Zelensky says two EU accession negotiating clusters are due to open this week, with support packages also in preparation. He plans calls with the Danish and Lithuanian prime ministers and talks in the UK on 14 October.
Iryna Kovalenko · 14 Oct 2026
Politics
China's foreign minister told Putin's aide Nikolai Patrushev in Beijing that his country is ready to coordinate maritime strategy with Russia and expand Arctic cooperation, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's account relayed by DeepState.
Iryna Kovalenko · 13 Oct 2026
Politics
Ukraine's Cabinet has approved a Defence Ministry bill that would let service members and their families join housing waiting lists at their place of service. The Verkhovna Rada must still pass it.
Iryna Kovalenko · 13 Oct 2026
Politics
Ukraine's parliament has approved bill No. 15400 in first reading. It would direct all export-control permit fees for military and dual-use goods to the Defence Ministry, split between weapons and soldiers' pay.
Iryna Kovalenko · 13 Oct 2026
Politics
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski says the scale of Russian hybrid actions against European states is growing and that NATO would need a "very serious conversation" if people start dying.
Iryna Kovalenko · 13 Oct 2026
Politics
President Zelensky says Ukraine did not strike Russian energy facilities overnight in line with Trump's announced energy ceasefire, while Russia hit a gas facility and a petrol station. Moscow has not confirmed the truce.
Iryna Kovalenko · 13 Oct 2026
Politics
The Council of the EU has sanctioned 826 Russian companies and 743 of their executives, which it calls the largest single expansion of its sanctions list. German Foreign Minister Wadephul vowed more pressure on Moscow.
Iryna Kovalenko · 12 Oct 2026
Politics
The Council of the EU has listed three individuals and four entities for supporting North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes and evading UN sanctions, including via links with Russia. The EU's autonomous list now has 80 individuals and 25 entities.
Iryna Kovalenko · 12 Oct 2026