Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Ukraine to cancel the ban on negotiations imposed by President Zelensky, emphasizing the need for dialogue and suggesting that talks could be a way for Ukraine to replenish their reserves and reinvigorate their army.
Ukraine plans to sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over their bans on Ukrainian agricultural products, which were implemented to protect their own farmers from increased Ukrainian exports following Russia's blockade on Ukrainian ports; Ukraine argues that the bans are legally wrong and a systemic concern regarding whether international trade partners can trust Brussels.
Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister, Hanna Maliar, and six other top officials in the Defense Ministry were dismissed from their posts as President Volodymyr Zelensky tackles corruption claims within the ministry ahead of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.
The Ukrainian government dismissed six deputy defense ministers following the appointment of a new defense minister, Rustem Umerov, who aims to enhance the coordination of Ukrainian defense forces, prioritize individual soldiers, develop Ukraine's military industry, and fight corruption.
Ukraine's President Zelensky dismissed all six of his deputy defense ministers in a shake-up of his wartime leadership ahead of his visit to the United Nations and meetings with Congress in the US. The move is an attempt to tighten management of the defense ministry and address concerns about corruption and the diversion of military aid.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stated that while Russia is open to negotiations regarding Ukraine, it will not consider any proposals for a cease-fire as it believes it has been deceived before, and suggests that the issue will ultimately be resolved on the battlefield; Lavrov also criticizes the West for allegedly disregarding the seriousness of the conflict and accuses them of failing to fulfill obligations and negotiate in good faith.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Ukraine's 10-point peace plan at the UN, stating that the war would have to be resolved "on the battlefield" if more realistic terms were not offered.
Poland's Minister of Agriculture has expressed confusion and disbelief over Ukraine's decision to suspend its complaint against Poland's agricultural export restrictions in the WTO, demanding that Ukraine withdraw the groundless complaint in order to improve relations between the two countries.
