NATO allies freeze participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe after Russia\u2019s pullout. Ukraine deploys additional NASAMS air defense systems, Zelenskyi says. The EU is set to proceed on Ukraine\u2019s membership bid, but the final wording of the opinion is yet to be finalized, Bloomberg says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement issued Tuesday, NATO allies condemned a decision by Russia to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), and said they would suspend its operation in response. The decision was fully supported by all NATO Allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRussia\u2019s withdrawal is the latest in a series of actions that systematically undermines Euro-Atlantic security,\u201d NATO allies said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhile recognizing the role of the CFE as a cornerstone of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture, a situation whereby Allied States Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable. Therefore, as a consequence, Allied States Parties intend to suspend the operation of the CFE Treaty for as long as necessary, in accordance with their rights under international law,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allies reiterated their commitment to \u201creduce military risk, and prevent misperceptions and conflicts,\u201d based on key principles of \u201ctransparency, compliance, verification, reciprocity and host nation consent.\u201d They invited those states that share this commitment and these principles, to \u201cjoin our efforts to also contribute to increasing predictability and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On November 7, Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Russia suspended participation in the treaty in 2007 and halted active participation in 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on May 10, 2023 terminating his country\u2019s participation in the pact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, signed in 1990, placed verifiable limits on categories of conventional military equipment that NATO and the then-Warsaw Pact could deploy. The treaty was designed to prevent either side of the Cold War from amassing forces for a swift offensive against the other in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At a cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Zelenskyi said he got reports of ammunition and equipment being delivered to troops in the past day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI held a daily cabinet meeting and heard reports of new ammunition, weapons and materiel being delivered to troops in the past day. Additional NASAMS [air defense] systems from partners were put on combat duty. Timely reinforcement of our air defense before winter,\u201d Zelenskyi said on Telegram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said he had also heard reports from the front lines, including situation updates from the Kupyansk, Bakhmut, and Avdiyivka axes, and the south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine\u2019s intelligence briefed the President on the situation in the occupied territory, in the Black Sea region and in the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Ukraine\u2019s Security Service briefed him on counterintelligence operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EU will likely recommend opening accession talks with Ukraine, but the final wording of the opinion is yet to be finalized, Bloomberg said, citing said the people, who asked not to be identified because the process is private. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Union\u2019s executive arm will meet later Tuesday to finalize a decision on whether to recommend formally opening Ukraine\u2019s membership talks, with expectations of a positive outcome for Kyiv but with conditions attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Commission will likely recommend that member states open formal negotiations upon the completion of reforms and legislation on minorities, anti-corruption as well as \u201cde-oligarchisation\u201d and lobbying, according to people familiar with the matter and documents seen by Bloomberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commission\u2019s opinion, which will be released on Nov. 8, will need to be approved by member states when EU leaders meet in December for a summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n\u2019s cabinet could veto the start of Ukraine\u2019s accession talks with the EU, Orb\u00e1n\u2019s Political Director, Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n told NOS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n said Hungary could block Ukraine\u2019s next steps toward EU accession over its alleged treatment of Hungarian minorities. He referred to a recent language law that means that minority state schools must spend increasing amounts of time \u2013 at least 70 per cent, teaching in Ukrainian. Hungary is worried that children from Hungarian families in Ukraine will \u201chave poor performance at school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe cannot accept that. Hungary\u2019s position is crystal clear: as long as the law is in force, there can be no discussions with the Ukrainians on their accession to the European Union,\u201d Bal\u00e1zs Orb\u00e1n said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n