Zelensky signed a decree to sanction his associate Timur Mindich and businessman Oleksandr Tsukerman, who are implicated in a $100 million corruption scandal centered on the state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom (Enerhoatom).

The corruption scandal has likely weakened Zelenskyy's reputation, even though there are no direct allegations against the president, threatening to undermine his ties with the US and the European Union (EU). Ukraine has experienced heavy Russian bombardment against its national energy infrastructure since the war started in February 2022.

Ukraine is showing "remarkable commitment" to joining the EU, but must reverse recent negative trends in the fight against corruption and accelerate rule of law reforms, the European Commission said in a draft text seen by Reuters on Monday.

Ukraine and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation have announced that they would each invest $75 million to a joint fund to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. It’s part of a minerals deal Ukraine signed with Washington back in April.

Ukrainians know how to make their voices heard—and to make their leaders listen. They will never accept capitulation to Russia, whether in the form of the surrender of Ukrainian land or the abandonment of Ukrainian citizens to Russian occupiers.

Ukrainian journalist and war correspondent Nataliya Gumenyuk, on Wednesday, November 13, drew parallels between Ukrainian resilience and the Filipino tradition of bayanihan, while emphasizing the importance of defending democracy during her talk with students at the University of Cebu.

A total of 58% of the Romanian respondents to a recent Eurobarometer survey believe the war in Ukraine is one of the main challenges the EU is facing. This is higher than the EU average of 47% of respondents who share this belief.

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour is among three New Zealanders to receive state honours from the Ukrainian government.