UKR Embassy in EST

Russia's war against Ukraine is part of a much wider threat to European security. And Russia is already using more than military force to undermine it. From drones at Leipzig Airport to armies of bots spreading extremist ideas on social media, Russia is seeking to deepen divisions, fuel conflicts, and weaken cooperation between European societies. 💬 "Russia takes away your space. First, the space for democracy and normal dialogue and cooperation. Then, the space for social and economic stability. And then, the space of your own country – your sovereignty, your territory, your national identity." In his address to the Berlin Security Conference, President of Ukraine @ZelenskyyUa stressed that Ukraine's experience should serve as a warning to all of Europe, regardless of geographical proximity to Russia. No European country can confront these security threats alone. Europe's security depends on its ability to stand together and defend itself.

The European Commission confirms: Ukraine has met the conditions for opening all remaining clusters and is among the candidate countries that have made the most progress towards EU membership. On 4 November, the European Commission published its Annual Report on Ukraine as part of the EU Enlargement Package. The report assesses progress in aligning national legislation with the EU acquis across all negotiation chapters and clusters, highlighting key achievements and setting out recommendations for priority reforms over the coming year. The report recognises that Ukraine remains committed to its EU accession path despite the challenges caused by Russia's war of aggression and has continued to advance on key sectoral reforms. 🔸 The Commission’s assessment remains that Ukraine has met the conditions required to open all remaining negotiation clusters. 🔸 Readiness for accession has improved in 9 chapters, more than twice as many as last year. The pace of progress has also increased in 6 chapters. There has been no deterioration in any chapter and no backsliding on reforms. 🔸 For the first time, Chapter 31 – Foreign, Security and Defence Policy – received the highest progress rating. The report also recognises Ukraine’s contribution to shared European security. The next goal for Ukraine on the accession path is to receive the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR) in early 2027. To achieve it, a joint Ukraine-EU working group has been set up on the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

80 years ago today, @UNESCO’s Constitution entered into force. Ukraine has been part of this story for 72 of them. Since joining on 12 May 1954, Ukraine has served five terms on the Executive Board and now sits on the World Heritage Committee for the first time in its history. Today the partnership faces its hardest test. Russia’s full-scale invasion has put half of Ukraine’s World Heritage Sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO’s response has been concrete: emergency support for Ukrainian schools, newsrooms and museums, and a programme the Executive Board extended just last month. We are grateful to the Secretariat and to every Member State standing with Ukraine’s culture, education, science and media.

Behind every face of a Ukrainian evacuated from Oleshky in Kherson region is a story of hardship and hope. They spent years under Russian occupation, months without access to basic necessities. Today, they can once again feel what it means to be free. It is vital that humanitarian access to Oleshky remains open so that more civilians can receive the help they need.

This is how Ukrainian intelligence officers train – to defend their land, their homes and their loved ones. To defend freedom and democracy. Support Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Ukraine is the most mine-contaminated country in the world after over 12 years of Russian aggression. Yet the country responsible for contaminating vast areas of Ukrainian land is now set to play a leading role in global mine action as Russian ambassador has been appointed to lead UN mine action. “Entrusting this responsibility to a representative of the aggressor state is deeply troubling and undermines trust in the United Nations,” @SpoxUkraineMFA Heorhii Tykhyi has commented. “This appointment confirms what has been known for years: Russia’s illegitimate occupation of the Soviet Union’s permanent seat on the UN Security Council poisons the entire UN system.”

For thousands of Ukrainian families, the timetable of daily life is structured around the fight to bring their loved ones home from Russian captivity. Days become weeks. Weeks become months. For some families, years have passed. They should not have to wait indefinitely. Ukrainian defenders and civilians held by Russia must come home. Economic sanctions, travel bans, Russia’s isolation from global platforms, and effective justice mechanisms must be established to stop Russia’s state system of torture and cruelty. The international community must act in unity to hold Russia accountable — every timely and decisive action counts.

At least 17 people have been killed in Russia's latest attacks on Ukrainian cities, including two 15-year-old girls. In Dnipro, Russian drones struck a railway station, hitting a platform where a commuter train and a scheduled passenger train were standing. At least 13 people were killed and 10 others injured. In Chernihiv, Russia struck the city centre in broad daylight, when the streets were busy with people. Two 15-year-old girls were killed, and at least nine other people were injured, including children. Homes, businesses, and cars were damaged. In Kremenchuk, Poltava region, a Russian drone hit a residential apartment building, killing two people and injuring nine, including two children. In Zaporizhzhia, an FPV drone struck a minibus in the city centre, injuring one person. Russia also attacked a poultry farm in the Kyiv region, where approximately 16,000 birds were kept. These are ordinary places where people live, work, and travel. Russia continues to attack them, killing civilians and putting more lives at risk. Russia is not de-escalating its war against Ukraine. Easing sanctions while these attacks continue only weakens pressure on the aggressor. Stronger sanctions against Russia's energy sector and war machine are needed to stop its aggression.

🇺🇦🇦🇹 Ukraine and Austria have a long history of cultural and human connections.  For centuries, people have travelled between our countries, bringing with them ideas, art, knowledge and new perspectives. Meet some of the outstanding people who helped shape these connections.

💬 "Russia's strategic goal is to divide us on three levels. It wants to split Europe from the US, divide EU and NATO members, and divide our societies from within. Our answer must be three lines of unity. Unity between Europe and the US, unity among EU and NATO members, and unity within our democratic societies", Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed in his address to the Nordic Council.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has determined that Russia’s deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure constitute war crimes. It also found that large-scale and systematic strikes causing severe civilian suffering amount to crimes against humanity. In its report presented to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, the Commission stated that, for more than four years, Russian strikes have deprived millions of Ukrainians of electricity, heating and water. Families, children and older people have been left without necessities, suffering severe physical and psychological harm. As another winter approaches, these findings underscore the need to strengthen support for Ukraine and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

A ceasefire covering a large area of the front in Ukraine's south began at 03:00 Kyiv time on October 27 to unblock Oleshky in the Kherson region, a town temporarily occupied by Russia. The ceasefire will remain in place until 22:59 on November 1. It is intended to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians still in Oleshky and prepare for their safe passage out. "For months, we told the world about the starving people in Oleshky. We addressed states, international organizations, world leaders, and key spiritual figures. We are grateful to the First Lady Melania Trump for engaging in this critical work – and for her leadership," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated. He stressed that if the operation delivers results in Oleshky, it could pave the way for further steps in the peace process as a confidence-building measure.

💬 "This war cannot be ended by stopping Ukraine's resistance. It can only be ended by stopping the aggressor's attacks."

Ground robots and Ukrainian warriors under the night sky. Ukrainian defenders make the most of modern technology to protect our country against Russian aggression.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha: "Allowing Russian pipelines to bypass Ukraine invited Putin to launch his full-scale invasion. Past mistakes must be neither forgotten nor repeated. These strategic failures brought no greater prosperity or security – only war, turmoil, and crisis."

Did you know Ukraine was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945? For eight decades, Ukraine has contributed to the UN’s work across human rights, the rule of law, sustainable development, and, above all, peace and security. Today, Ukraine continues to defend the principles on which the organisation was built and work towards a just and lasting peace.

12-year-old Erika Kolesnichenko is representing Ukraine in the Junior Eurovision 2026 final today 🇺🇦 Erika has been taking vocal lessons for half her life. She loves performing, studies acting, and dreams of a career in musical theatre. In “Not a Lullaby”, she brings together musical theatre and K-pop sounds with a powerful message: find your voice, believe in yourself, and dare to act on your dreams. Vote for Erika now at xn--jes-6ed.tv and tune in to the show on October 24 at 21:00 CEST. #JuniorEurovision #JESC2026

Ukrainian embroidered shirts are a living expression of Ukraine’s cultural identity. Every region has its own techniques and patterns, passed down through generations. For over 20 years, Ukrainian designer Khrystyna Rachytska has researched historic Ukrainian shirts and assembled a collection of around 550 pieces, some up to 150 years old. Her study of their cuts, techniques, colours, and patterns also shapes her contemporary designs. This evening, a cultural and diplomatic event in Paris, at the Cultural Center of Ukraine in France, will bring together historic shirts from Khrystyna Rachytska’s collection and a fashion presentation. A panel discussion with Ukrainian and French experts will focus on preserving Ukrainian embroidery, documenting regional traditions and ensuring that cultural heritage remains a living tradition without losing its origins or historical context. Protecting intangible cultural heritage matters: it safeguards historic objects as well as the skills, knowledge and cultural memory that give them meaning.