Viktor Kovalenko
@MrKovalenko
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An American writing about Ukraine & Russia. Born in Soviet Union, raised in Ukraine. MA in Journalism. Before: news reporter in Kyiv, AFU combat veteran.
United States
Joined October 2020
In today's update "When Diplomacy Stalls, War Rages On" in the Substack newsletter, Ukraine Decoded, I write about how Russia escalates negotiating demands, the US reiterates threat of new sanctions, and Ukraine marks its 34th birthday under bombardment.
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Almost a family photo.
Thank you Prime Minister @Svyrydenko_Y for the meeting with you and our US Ambassador @USAmbKyiv. Your candor, insight and leadership ensures a bright future for Ukraine. Was honored to be with you and President Zelenskyy @ZelenskyyUa on the celebration of your Independence.
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Interesting 😎.
“The Heroes Who Made Us" – the slogan of this year's 75th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. An incredible performance by the Ukrainian Naval Forces Band, which captured the hearts of the audience. It told a lot about many things. About our history and struggle. About
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President Zelensky linked the devastating Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline (that disrupted oil deliveries from Russia to Hungary) with the PM Orban's stubborn pro-Putin veto on the Ukraine's ascension in the European Union. In other words, the longer Budapest stays.
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BREAKING The Ukrainian armed forces abrupty recaptured three settlements in the eastern region of Donetsk, pushing the Putin's troops back to Russia.
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After two and a half years, Russia finally released a Ukrainian journalist who was abducted by the Russian sildiers near Kyiv in early months of the invasion. The Russians were mad at him for documenting their war crimes in Bucha and other locations. It's a miracle that he's.
Andriy Khyluk, journaliste de l’agence de presse ukrainienne @unian, est revenu aujourd’hui à la maison après plus que 3 ans de détention russe. Il a été arrêté par les occupants en 2022, chez lui, près de Kyiv. Andriy fait partie de l’échange des prisonniers entre les deux pays.
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#Russia has been building a listening station on the edge of the Baltic Sea for the last two years, satellite images appear to show.
newsweek.com
Russia is building a listening station near the border of NATO member Poland, according to satellite images.
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A gesture of solidarity.
🇪🇺🇺🇦 In honour of Ukraine’s Independence Day, the Council's Europa building lights up in blue and yellow to show solidarity with #Ukraine. The EU stands united with Ukraine and its people and firmly condemns Russia’s war of aggression. #StandWithUkraine #UkraineIndependenceDay
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Indeed, Russia offering more and more excuses.
Russia trying to stop meeting on peace and prolong war, says Zelensky
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The British review.
The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing. The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 22 August 2025. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦
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Putin is invited to the FIFA World Cup next year but depending on how he behaves with Ukraine.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! President Trump just announced VLADIMIR PUTIN may be attending the World Cup in the USA. Putin also sent Trump a photo of the two together. "That's a man named Vladimir Putin, who I believe will be coming, depending on what happens.". Relations are improving 👀
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Interesting.
Ukraine's latest strike on a facility in Russia has suspended Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia for the second time in a week
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Putin says he saw a light in Trump's eyes.
President Vladimir Putin said there was ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ in Russia-US relations, signaling optimism that Russia can mend relations with the US and strike business deals
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Someone should represent the US on the Ukraine's Independence Day.
Scoop:. Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg heads to Kyiv tomorrow, per sources, to participate in a prayer breakfast/Independence Day ceremonies. He’ll also discuss this week’s diplomatic flurry w/ leaders. Comes as US, Ukraine, Europe hash out security guarantees . w @JonathanLanday.
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This intriguing news is still developing and could harm President Zelensky's reputation, potentially leading to European arrest warrants for top Ukrainian military leaders, including a general now serving as the Ukrainian Ambassador to London. They seem to have made a serious.
The Ukrainian suspected of coordinating attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines had served in Ukraine's Secret Service and in the Ukrainian Army's special forces, Sky News understand. Read more🔗.
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They could meet, but it is obvious that Putin won't agree on a ceasefire or sign a peace deal. So, new US sanctions are unavoidable, rather sooner than later.
President Trump said he'll consider "massive" sanctions and tariffs if Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy don't set up a meeting within two weeks.
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Hardworking American families and also students got a rare opportunity to visit Europe for vacations more often, as prices on trans-Atlantic flights are dropping due to stricter immigration policies and tighter border checks under the Trump administration.
newsweek.com
The National Travel and Tourism Office said visits to the U.S. fell 3.4 percent in June, with 10 of the 20 largest source countries recording drops.
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Interesting news✍️.
BREAKING from me & @Liz_Friden:. -1700 National Guardsmen set to mobilize in 19 states in the coming weeks to assist DHS amid sweeping federal interagency crime and immigration crackdown. -Documents obtained by FOX News show planning for activations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,.
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Canada is back home.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces that Canada will be DROPPING their retaliatory tariffs against the US and removing tariffs on US goods covered by existing trade deals.
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