Kyiv said it stopped Russian drone strike on Odesa – DW – 10/23/2023

European Union foreign ministers discussed a proposal by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to make longer-term financing commitments for military aid for Ukraine.

The crisis in Israel and Gaza overshadowed the talks in Luxembourg ahead of an EU leaders summit on Thursday. 

But they also considered how to support Ukraine as the war against Russia enters the second winter.

“We have to make sure that Ukraine also comes through this winter with the best possible protection,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, as she arrived at the meeting.

Borrell proposed adding an annual contribution of up to €5 billion ($5.3 billion) for Ukraine from 2024 to 2027.

He also suggested using EU money to support the delivery of modern fighter jets and missiles.

Far-reaching decisions were not expected at Monday’s meeting.

A Russian court extended the pre-trial detention of Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva to December 5.

Kurmasheva, who works for US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was arrested on October 18 for failing to register as a “foreign agent.”

The broadcaster said it was, “deeply disappointed by the outcome,” of the hearing, 

She faces up to five years in jail if found guilty of the charges.

RFE/RL has been labeled as a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities since 2017.

The Committee to Protect Journalists called the charges against Kurmasheva “spurious,” saying her detention “is yet more proof that Russia is determined to stifle independent reporting.”

Kurmasheva is the second US journalist detained in Russia this year, after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in March.

After it launched its war in Ukraine in early 2022, Russia expanded the definition of “foreign agents” to include anyone receiving any kind of support from abroad, including organizational or technical assistance.

Ukraine said it had repelled a major Russian drone attack on the Black Sea region of Odesa overnight. 

Air defenses brought down nine Iranian-made Shahed drones over the southern region of Odesa, governor Oleh Kiper wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Falling debris damaged the roof of a building and caused a fire, he added. 

According to the Ukrainian military, 14 drones and one missile were repelled throughout the country.

Odesa, home to Ukraine’s main Black Sea ports, has repeatedly been the target of Russian attacks.

The Russian government is directing more funds towards its war with Ukraine, according to a UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) intelligence.

Moscow’s proposed 2024 budget shows a 68% increase in defense spending compared to 2023, making it about 6% of the country’s GDP.

Meanwhile, the budgets for education and healthcare remain the same as in 2023, effectively decreasing in real terms due to inflation.

The MoD report also notes that the war is placing a growing financial burden on Russia, with over half of wounded soldiers required lifelong medical care.

Persistent high military expenses and increased government borrowing to finance the war could lead to inflation in Russia.

lo,ss/ab (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)