Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Kyiv, November 4, 2023

Monday’s Coverage: Zelenskiy to US Congress — “There Is No More Time to Waste”

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1636 GMT:

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a bill revising Ukraine’s mobilization for the military.

The law, which comes into effect next month, requires citizens to update their draft data with authorities, boosts payments to those who volunteer, and stiffens punishments for draft dodging.

Controversially, a provision was removed which would have allowed troops with more than 36 months of service to leave the military.

See also Ukraine War, Day 778: Kyiv U-Turns on Demobilization of Long-Serving Troops

UPDATE 0849 GMT:

After two months of negotiations brokered by Turkey, Russia and Ukraine were close to agreeing a deal which ensured the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. But Kyiv suddenly pulled out at the end of March, according to sources who spoke to Reuters.

Ukraine did not want to formally sign the deal “to ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the Black Sea”, but gave its assent for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to announce it on March 30 — the day before regional elections in Turkey.

“At the very last minute, Ukraine suddenly pulled out and the deal was scuttled,” said one of four sources. No reason was given.

UPDATE 0726 GMT:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has noted that the US, UK, and France downed Iranian drones and missiles fired at Israel early Sunday — air defense which the countries have refused to provide against intense Russian aerial assaults across Ukraine.

In his nightly video address to the nation, Zelenskiy said:

Shaheds [Iran-type attack drones] in the skies above Ukraine sound identical to those over the Middle East. The impact of ballistic missiles, if they are not intercepted, is the same everywhere.

European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles. Terror must be defeated completely and everywhere, not more in some places and less in others.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated on Monday that Washington will not assist Ukraine in the same way that it helped Israel.

These are different conflicts, different airspace, different threat landscapes. The President has made it clear from the very beginning of the conflict in Ukraine that the United States will not participate in this conflict in a combat role.

In an interview with US outlet PBS, Zelenskiy explained how a shortage of air defense missiles enabled Russia to destroy the Trypilska thermal power plant last Thursday.

Trypilska provided much of the power to three regions in northern Ukraine.

UPDATE 0716 GMT:

The Rusal aluminum company of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has asked the Kremlin for emergency support amid US and UK sanctions.

On Friday, the American and British governments announced that Russian exports of aluminum, copper, and nickel will be banned from the world’s largest metal exchanges, including the London Metal Exchange and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Rusal is asking Russian authorities to purchase up to half of its total export volume for 2023 at pre-sanctions prices, and for exampeltions from export duties.

The company warned the government about the risks of reducing production by 25%.

“An informed source” told the Russian outlet Kommersant that the US and UK sanctions could affect almost a third of Rusal’s exports — 1.5 million tons of aluminum.

Aggressive US attempts to force third countries, such as Turkey and China, to sever ties with Russia further complicate the situation. This represents a direct threat to our supply chain, especially given the interconnected nature of global production networks.

UPDATE 0708 GMT:

Ukraine air defenses downed all nine Iran-type attack drones launched by Russia overnight.

The Shahed “kamikaze” drones were launched from Cape Chauda in Russian-occupied Crimea, and intercepted over the Kherson, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: The European Commission has approved the Ukraine Plan, the reform and investment strategy for €50 billion ($53 billion) in aid to Kyiv through 2027.

The plan establishes “regular and predictable” support through the Ukraine Facility. It reinforces the budget, provision of government services,and reconstruction, as the country withstands the 26-month Russian invasion.

The EU’s 27 member states have one month to adopt the Council Implementing Decision. The Commission can then provide up to €1.89 billion ($2 billion) in pre-financing until regular disbursements begin.

The EU approved the €50 billion in February, overcoming a blockade by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an ally of Vladimir Putin. Two-thirds of the funds will be supplied through loans and one-third through grants.

See also Ukraine War, Day 708: EU Agrees €50 Billion Fund for Kyiv

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Mondady:

Ukraine’s strategy for reforms and investments offers a solid basis to rebuild a more modern and prosperous Ukraine, on its path towards the EU.

With today’s proposal, we showcase once again that Europe stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and that we are ready to deliver much-needed financial support.

Under the Plan, Ukraine is making reforms in 15 areas, including energy, agriculture, transport, enviornmental and digital transition, human capital, state-owned enterprises, the business environment, public finances, and decentralization.