Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj awarded US Presidential wife Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga 1st Class. The president's website said the 56-year-old was recognized for her humanitarian support, including human rights and charity work on behalf of Ukrainian children. The order is intended for women who have made an outstanding contribution to the Ukrainian state.
Ukraine accused Russia of massive attacks on its energy infrastructure before the winter. Due to the attacks on the power grid, nuclear power plants had to reduce their output, said Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Artem Nekrasov. In the morning, many consumers were without power due to attacks in six regions of the country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj accused Moscow of shelling practically around the clock. Due to repeated attacks, repair work to restore power was also taking longer, he said. The situation is particularly difficult in the capital Kiev, where people and companies are without electricity and water for hours. There are also problems in the regions of Kiev, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia and Donetsk. There are emergency shutdowns in the southern regions.
According to Russian information, a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire in a logistics center of the online retailer Ozon in southern Russia. Firefighters are on duty to fight the fire in the city of Adygeysk, local authorities said. Debris from “enemy drones” fell on two nearby villages, causing damage but not injuring anyone.
Ozon also said there was no information about anyone injured and that all employees had been brought to safety. There was initially no statement from Ukraine. It was the second time that the ozone facility in Adygeysk was attacked. Ukrainian armed forces have shelled dozens of large warehouses owned by Ozon and its competitor Wildberries since July.
According to the authorities there, three people were killed in Ukrainian shelling in the Russian region of Belgorod. Ukraine attacked with drones. Belgorod borders Ukraine and has repeatedly been the target of Ukrainian attacks. However, such information about the fighting cannot be independently verified.
Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is confident that the outcome of the congressional elections in the USA can create a new dynamic in support for Ukraine. “As far as Ukraine is concerned, I am somewhat confident that there will now be more discussions in Congress between both parties about what we can do together to support Ukraine,” said Wadephul in Berlin.
“I believe that there has been a certain amount of restraint there in the election campaign and I know that there are staunch supporters of Ukraine in both houses and in both parties.”
The death toll from the Russian attack on a humanitarian aid distribution point in southern Ukraine has risen to 37. The Ukrainian authorities said on Wednesday that 38 people may still be trapped. It was unclear whether any of them were still alive.
Nightly attacks by Russia on important infrastructure have disrupted electricity and water supplies in Kiev and the surrounding area. In the capital Kiev, authorities on Wednesday urged residents to use public drinking fountains. They quickly set up emergency centers in the hardest-hit areas. There was hot tea and power outlets for people to charge their devices.
The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 709 Ukrainian drones during the night. Online wholesaler Ozon said a drone attack caused a fire at its logistics center in southern Russia. There were no injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded US first lady Melania Trump a state medal for her help in brokering a local ceasefire to evacuate the frontline town of Oleshky. She will receive the Order of Princess Olga First Class, with which Ukraine honors women for outstanding contributions in the charitable or social sphere, according to a decree published on Wednesday. This honors her personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump's wife reportedly played a crucial role in brokering a six-day ceasefire to bring civilians from the embattled town of Oleshky to safety. The evacuation was completed on Sunday. It was the longest local ceasefire since the start of the war. The order also recognizes her commitment to Ukrainian children, especially those who were abducted from the territories occupied by Russia.
Russia attacked numerous parts of Ukraine again during the night. Two power plants in the Kiev and Zhytomyr regions were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said on the Telegram short message service. In addition, a cargo ship was attacked near the port city of Odessa.
According to Ukrainian authorities, there were further attacks in the Poltava, Dnipro, Kirovohrad and Rivne regions, as well as in the capital Kiev. There were power outages following an accident on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russia; no details were initially available. In addition, a logistics center belonging to the Russian retailer Ozon burned down in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar after a drone attack.
Ukraine attacked another branch of a major Russian online retailer during the night. The employees of an Ozon logistics center in the southern Russian republic of Adygeya were evacuated because of a drone attack, the Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing the company. A fire broke out in the center. According to preliminary information, there were no injuries. The information could not initially be independently verified.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Europeans to step up their joint efforts to defend themselves. At the BSC Berlin Security Conference, he also warned against having illusions about the further military ambitions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We see that Russia has already made its decision. It has decided that a peaceful and united Europe is its enemy. And this is not something that will just evaporate in a year," Zelensky said. "Look at the military infrastructure that Russia has built in the last few years. Is it all just for Ukraine? It's too much for just one country, Ukraine. It's aimed at you."
First Lady Melania Trump has announced a meeting with representatives of Ukraine and Russia at the White House after brokering a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied front-line town of Oleshky. She will personally bring together representatives of two nations that are actively at war, the White House said.
In addition, Melania Trump will speak about the Oleschky ceasefire on Thursday at 11 a.m. local time (5 p.m. CET). No information was given as to which Ukrainians and Russians would take part in the encounter.
The White House credited the president's wife with brokering the limited ceasefire in southern Ukraine, and both Russia and Ukraine thanked her. In a joint rescue operation last week, numerous people were able to leave the rubble town of Oleschky - they could choose whether they wanted to go to Ukraine or Russia. Humanitarian aid supplies were also brought to the city.
Chancellor Merz is asked whether the Russian shadow fleet was the topic of the conference. With a brief answer, the Chancellor not only answers the question in the negative, but also ends the press conference.
Merz points out that Russia suffered the highest losses in the war in October. Around 26,000 soldiers lost their lives and another 26,000 people were so badly wounded that they were no longer fit for action. This highlights the drama on the Russian side too, says Merz.
Both Merz and Zelenskyy address Russia's intentions - the country must show diplomatic efforts. Signals include ceasefires or prisoner exchanges. In the event of a ceasefire, the USA could play a mediating role, says Zelensky. Merz adds that in talks about peace in Ukraine, Ukraine must also be present - and therefore Germany too. He is alluding to planned talks between the USA and Russia and China as well as the G20 summit in Florida.
At the same time, Zelenskyj emphasizes that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to Ukraine - conversely, Zelenskyj will not travel to Moscow either. “It makes no sense because he won’t come,” Zelensky said. Giving out an invitation that is not accepted is destructive. “In the same way, it is destructive if I am invited to Moscow,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky is also skeptical about a telephone conversation with the Russian president. He would only use this as a reason not to allow any more conversations. “It would be a completely official, dry phone call in which I would have to listen to another historical lecture from the head of state of the Russian Federation.” Concrete steps to end the war will not be discussed.
Zelensky also addresses the planned joint talks, but also the country's prospects of joining the EU. The country is aiming to join the EU. The EU recently pushed forward the talks.
During his appearance in Berlin, the Ukrainian President thanks Germany and emphasizes its role in the war of aggression against Ukraine. “From the first days, Ukraine can count on the fact that German souls will not remain indifferent.” The European position would not be as strong without Germany. Zelensky particularly emphasizes the help in air defense and the energy industry. Zelensky also talks about winter aid without specifying it.
According to Chancellor Merz, Russia is hitting the world's poorest countries with its attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea. “Russia risks further escalation with its attacks in the Black Sea,” said Merz. “Russia is creating a global food crisis to the detriment of the poorest states and the poorest countries in the world,” he added.
In his speech, Merz urged to help Ukraine out of Europe. However, discussions are not only planned in Europe:
US special envoy Steve Witkoff recently announced a new round of talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US on Tuesday and Wednesday next week in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, according to Witkoff, US envoys are scheduled to meet with representatives from Germany, France, Great Britain, NATO and the EU this week.
On the sidelines of the APEC economic summit (November 18th and 19th) in Shenzhen, China, the presidents of the USA, China and Russia - Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin - may meet for a three-way summit.
At around the same time, a summit of the “Coalition of the Willing” is planned in Berlin, which includes around 35 states that support Ukraine.
The G20 summit will take place in Florida from December 13th to 15th. The exciting question: Will the Russian president take part again for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine? And if so, will host Trump also invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky?
It is now up to Russia to show that Russia is ready for serious negotiations. We will continue to increase the pressure on Moscow. Friedrich Merz
According to Merz, the limited ceasefire and the evacuations in Oleschky could serve as a model for peace. The Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinez also sees this as a pilot model for further operations.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) begins the press conference. Almost a month ago, the CDU leader met his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev. Many agreements regarding energy issues were made there. This is also what Zelenskyj’s current visit is about.
“The outcome will shape European security for a long time,” said Merz. All Europeans have responsibility, which is why NATO has agreed on 70 billion euros in military support. More aid should be decided next week at the summit of the “Coalition of the Willing”.
The summit is planned for next week in Berlin, which will include around 35 states that support Ukraine. It will be about further help for the country, especially against Russlan in the winter
