Robert Fico
Robert Fico is a Slovak politician and the leader of the Direction – Social Democracy (Smer-SD) party. He served as Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic from 2006 to 2010, from 2012 to 2018, and again from 2023 onward. He is known for his Eurosceptic and Russia-friendly stance, including opposition to EU sanctions on Russia. He survived an assassination attempt in 2024 and returned to his duties as head of government.
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EU confirms €30 billion for Ukraine in 2026, flags €70 billion shortfall for 2027
The European Commission said Ukraine could receive around €30 billion from the EU by the end of 2026 if it continues implementing the agreed reforms, with most of the sum coming from the Ukraine support loan. At the same time, officials acknowledged a €70 billion financing gap in Ukraine's 2027 budget that must be covered with international partners, and the European Council has tasked the Commission with preparing proposals to close it.
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Estonia blames Russian special services for sabotage at Milrem Robotics building in Tallinn
Estonia's Security Police concluded that the 14–15 August fire at the Tallinn building of defense company Milrem Robotics — a supplier of unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine — was an act of sabotage ordered by Russian special services. Three Latvian suspects have been detained and Estonia summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires on 29 September; the Kremlin rejected the accusations as unfounded.
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Russia launches massive ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight
Russia struck Kyiv overnight on 23–24 September with a combined ballistic missile and drone barrage, killing two people and injuring at least eight across multiple districts. President Zelensky said 60% of the ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv were intercepted and that the strike coincided with his meeting with U.S. congressmen about the Lindsey Graham sanctions bill. The attack came hours after Ukraine agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire and 51 UN member states called on Russia to follow suit.
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EU extends Ukraine-related sanctions three years but drops Usmanov and Fridman in compromise
EU ambassadors agreed on 22 September to extend the bloc's individual sanctions related to Ukraine's territorial integrity for 36 months, until 22 September 2029, in a compromise that removes Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list. Latvia, the only holdout, lifted its veto and abstained, and announced it will impose its own national sanctions against the two men.