Page 11 - UKRRptSept23

of the European family. "We expressed our readiness to support Ukraine and Moldova in implementing the next steps in joining the EU as soon as they complete the necessary reforms," the countries' leaders said. In its turn, Greece supports Ukraine's acquisition of NATO membership when the members of the Alliance reach an agreement and the required conditions are met.
Zelensky meets Bulgarian PM at Ukraine-Balkans summit. President Volodymyr Zelensky met Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov on Aug. 21 at the Ukraine-Balkans summit, discussing grain corridor and security issues.
Zelensky meets Serbian president at Ukraine-Balkans summit. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Aug. 22 that he had met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Ukraine-Balkans summit. In a joint statement by leaders of 11 countries, including Serbia, the summit participants supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Pope criticized for telling young Russians to uphold legacy of tsars. Pope Francis has been criticized for telling young Russian Catholics to uphold their heritage as "heirs of great Russia" and invoking the legacy of tsars Peter I and Catherine II.
Nobel Foundation bars Russia, Belarus, Iran envoys from award ceremony in Sweden. The Nobel Foundation announced on Sept. 2 that it would not invite Russian, Belarusian, or Iranian ambassadors to Sweden to the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm.
Ukrainian boy in Germany assaulted ‘for not speaking Russian’. A 10-year-old Ukrainian boy was assaulted in Germany’s Einbeck, when a man threw him over the railing of a canal bridge, German broadcaster DW reported on September 1.
● Domestic Politics
Reznikov’s out: Zelenskiy replaces Ukraine’s defence minister in biggest government shake-up since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov submitted his resignation on September 4 after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced his decision to replace Reznikov with Rustem Umerov, the chairman of Ukraine’s State Property Fund. Zelenskiy made the announcement in a video address on Sunday night. “I believe that the [Defence] Ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large. Now, Rustem Umerov should lead the Ministry,” Zelenskiy said. Reznikov’s replacement is the biggest shake-up in Ukraine’s government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The reshuffle comes after the Defence Ministry was hit by corruption scandals in recent months and as the Ukrainian counteroffensive is entering a decisive phase. (You can read more about the situation at the front here.)
The US demands Ukraine strengthen the fight against corruption to receive further financial support. The State Budget of Ukraine receives approximately $1.5B from the US monthly, and certain conditions have been put forward to continue this funding. According to RBC-Ukraine, there was an informal condition for allocating US money - preparing a draft law to strengthen institutional independence and operational efficiency of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO). The law's adoption by the end of
11 UKRAINE Country Report September 2023 www.intellinews.com