Welcome to this edition of What about Ukraine?, a newsletter that helps you keep updated about what has been said recently about Ukraine in Ukraine, and in the international media.

Traditionally on 1 September, comes ‘The day of knowledge’, where pupils and students in Ukraine return to the classroom after the long summer holidays. Since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, though, going to school has become increasingly difficult, or impossible, for a growing number of children and young people. For the lucky ones who can attend, recent years have been full of innovations, introduced by the reforms of the ‘New Ukrainian School’ programme. We present a heartfelt and witty comment piece by Lesya Padalka which tells us how parents and students navigate through the new system: we’ve translated this for you from the Ukrainian news portal lb.ua.

Many Ukrainian students will start the new school year in another country and under another system, after having abandoned their homes. Many of them live with their families in Varna, Bulgaria: a Deutsche Welle reportage shows their daily life. Perhaps they dream of following in the footsteps of Julia Bialetska and Eugene Tomilin, two Ukrainian refugees and entrepreneurs who are producing a biodegradable alternative to plastic in Spain, El Español reports. Meanwhile, many of those who remained in Ukraine live under Russian occupation, like in the city of Melitopol. Here the women's collective Sla Mawka continues to resist the invaders in a non-violent way, Zeit online reports.

In the articles and reports we have selected, you can find some of the key events that have marked Ukraine and its struggle over the past week: from the request for "peace negotiations" by German chancellor Olaf Scholz, to the moves by the Hungarian energy company Mol to circumvent sanctions on Russian energy giant Lukoil, from the "double mission" of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Italy, to the mysteries that surround the case of the Russian spy Pablo González, who could have been identified through the controversial Israeli Pegasus spyware.

Have a good read,

Francesco Martino

Editor of this week's edition

In Ukraine, many crucial reforms that are changing its society were launched fewer than ten years ago, such as decentralisation of power, and charges to healthcare and the police. Education reform is among them. In 2016, the Government launched the New Ukrainian school (NUS), a fundamental reform of primary and secondary education which aimed to develop competences among children, as well as teach them knowledge. Its implementation is supposed to have been rolled out across all schools by 2026. Neither COVID-times restrictions nor full-scale war should have been hindrances.

In an opinion column, translated by n-ost this week, journalist Lesya Padalka shares her reflection on the first years of the NUS. She combines several perspectives – of a mother, a citizen, and a journalist. She discovers that despite the obstacles, reform is reaching its goal to break ties with the Soviet approach to school education, and to make the practice relevant to the challenges of today. Also, the reform relieves parents from the pressure of educating their kids in skills before they attend school, and searching for the best tutors for private lessons. As Padalka puts it:

"After interviewing everyone and their mother, I finally approached my son’s teacher-to-be, and she told me one simple thing: that learning was the whole purpose of going to school. While some may consider this phrase meaningless, it was laden with insight for me. What do you mean, the kids are supposed to be taught at school? Just like that? No conditions and requirements, no strings attached?"

This piece was originally published by LB.ua, an independent and influential Ukrainian online-media covering different aspects of life in the country.

Translated by Tetiana Evloeva.

Germany 

Scholz calls for peace talks with Russia

German chancellor Olaf Scholz is advocating for increased diplomacy to end the war of Russia against Ukraine. On 8 September, Scholz stated: "This is the moment to discuss how we can move from this war situation to peace more swiftly than currently seems possible." He supports expanding the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held in Switzerland, to include Russia. However, critics from the opposition conservative CDU party argue Scholz’s approach could undermine Ukrainian security and European stability. Scholz proposed this for domestic political reasons, argues a taz author, reflecting on recent losses for his party in September’s state elections, and a likely defeat in the next Bundestag election in 2025. (taz)

In the Ukrainian occupied city of Melitopol, the women’s collective Zla Mawka is waging a non-violent resistance against Russian occupation. Since early 2023, the group has used tactics like burning Russian flags and distributing pro-Ukrainian leaflets. Zla Mawka's activities include humour-driven actions and subtle resistance, aiming to maintain morale and demonstrate ongoing defiance. "It is also about sending a signal at a time when demands are growing for Ukraine to give up on the occupied territories for peace negotiations," writes Simone Brunner for Zeit Online, adding "as long as there is resistance here, the Russians cannot win this war." (Zeit Online)

Now in its third year, the war has significantly impacted journalism in Ukraine. The state-run ‘Telemarathon’ – a union of broadcasters which give updates on the war – was initially crucial, but now faces criticism for stifling independent journalism. "The Ukrainian government justifies its actions as necessary measures under wartime conditions, but critics warn that media freedom is increasingly endangered," says a Spiegel article. Maya Pidhorodetska, a journalist from public broadcaster Suspilne,  highlights how this has eroded trust, with viewership dropping. Investigative journalists face increasing pressure, including surveillance and harassment, especially when exposing corruption. (Spiegel)

Hungary

Hungary tied to Russian oil for another year

Hungarian oil company Mol has found a way to circumvent the sanctions against its supplier, Russia’s Lukoil: it has reached an agreement with both oil suppliers and pipeline operators to ensure oil supplies via the Russia-sourced Friendship pipeline. The pipeline will transport oil from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. Mol Group will take over ownership of the oil from Russia at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. (Telex) According to an oil industry expert, Hungary could wean itself off Russian oil by around the end of 2026. (Telex)

András Földes' two-part reportage film about Ukrainian medics working at the front has been released with an English translation, following the Hungarian original. The film was shot near Avdiivka, shortly before the Russian occupation. The frontline medics work at night and live in bunkers outside populated areas, for their safety. At night at the frontline, the only light is in the bunker, in the ambulance and in the hospital. Medics also witness attacks on schools and hospitals. (YouTube). The second part of the film follows a group of volunteers, the Hospitallers Battalion, a civilian unit in Ukraine that rescues wounded soldiers. (YouTube)

There is still no convergence between the differing positions of Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán on the Ukraine issue, the pro-government weekly Mandiner concludes. At the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, Italy, on 7 September, where Orbán was also invited, Meloni said that Italy will never stop supporting Ukraine. (Mandiner). Orbán, on the contrary, calls for a ceasefire as a first step to peace talks. Meloni and Orbán have enjoyed a cordial relationship, but they have grown distant due to their differences over the war in Ukraine. (Telex)

Italy

Russian targets and Italian opportunities: Zelensky’s double mission to Lombardy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky took part in the Ambrosetti forum in Cernobbio, north Italy, with two main goals: to seek permission to strike in Russia with long range weapons and to encourage Italian investment in Ukraine’s reconstruction. Considering Rome’s opposition to long range attacks, which has isolated Italy from Western countries, Zelensky reminded his audience that Russia hits Ukrainian territory with 4,000 bombs every month. Assuring good relations with foreign affairs minister, Antonio Tajani, he clarified that Ukraine needs to destroy Russian airports, where the attacks start, and will not target the Kremlin. (Corriere)

The delivery of a Samp-T missile battery from Italy to Ukraine has been slowed down by maintenance and refurbishment problems. The Samp-T is an Italian-French air defence system that intercepts incoming missiles. Despite committing to the delivery in April and foreseeing its readiness by a decree in July, the repair work on the battery, which was previously used in Kuwait, has taken longer than expected. This is also because of the high demand for defence systems. Defence minister Guido Crosetto confirmed the delay, arguing this was due to logistical issues, including companies closing for the holidays. (Il Post)

There are three volunteer groups of Russian citizens fighting for Kyiv: the Freedom of Russia legion, the Russian Volunteer Corps and the Siberian Battalion. These groups were central in planning Kyiv’s operations on Russian territory. In an interview for Domani the spokesperson for the Ukrainian defence intelligence service (GUR), Andriy Yusov, explains the security risks for Russians fighting for Ukraine. The terms of recruitment are thorough, to ensure loyalty to Kyiv, he adds. On Ukrainian territory, Russians can be military personnel, but not across the Russian border. They are "a signal to Russian society that it is possible to fight the regime", Yusov says. This piece was supported by the EUD grant programme (Domani)

Spain

Six more anti-air missiles launchers heading to Ukraine

Spain will deliver a Hawk anti-aircraft battery to Ukraine this week, marking another critical step in its military support for Kyiv. While Madrid typically keeps such details under wraps, defence minister Margarita Robles confirmed on 6 September this would be a "complete" battery, meaning six missile launchers. With this latest contribution, Spain will have donated a third of its 36 Hawk launchers to Ukraine since late 2022. (InfoDefensa)

New details have emerged in the case of the Russian spy Pablo González (also known as Pavel Rubstov), who was freed to Moscow, after two years of detention in Poland, in the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War. It appears that some evidence against him was gathered using the Israeli Pegasus spyware system. However, whether it was installed remotely in his phone or during his first detention by Ukrainian authorities in February 2022 remains unclear (El Independiente). Another factor leading to his downfall was his failure to destroy sensitive reports he made for the Russian military intelligence, allegedly demanding higher payment for his activities from Moscow. (El Mundo)

Ukrainian entrepreneurs and refugees Julia Bialetska and Eugene Tomilin are creating the "packaging material of the future" in Málaga, Spain. Their company, S.Lab, produces a biodegradable alternative to plastic, using agricultural waste and fungi to develop sustainable packaging that could replace polystyrene. This innovation addresses plastic pollution and is fully biodegradable. With clients like L'Oréal, they plan to expand production by the end of 2024, positioning their product as a groundbreaking solution for industries such as healthcare and beauty. (El Español)

Bulgaria

"Over 12,000" Ukrainians seek safe haven in Varna

At least 12,000 Ukrainians currently live in Varna, the main Bulgarian port city on the Black Sea, according to unofficial statistics. "There are two types of refugees here," explains Liza Yakimenko of the refugee aid NGO Open Heart Foundation. "Those who flee from horror, from death, from desperation. But also those who seek refuge from the endless stress of war. People who are not looking for social assistance, but a place to preserve their lives and feel safe." In most cases, reports Deutsche Welle - Bulgaria, these are mothers with their children, especially from the Odesa region. "Varna reminds them of their city of origin, and they feel they can integrate easily," adds activist Iglika Georgieva. (Deutsche Welle)

"When the tanks roll into the streets, culture must be felt even louder," said film director Tetyana Staneva, at the opening of the 2024 edition of the ‘Oko’ (Eye) film festival, a traditional ethnographic cinema event held simultaneously in Sofia and Bolhrad, the hub of the Bulgarian community in Ukraine. "Culture is the most powerful weapon against evil," says one film-goer Karina, a Bulgarian guest at the event. "Here in Ukraine I realise that Bulgarians and Ukrainians have much more in common than I previously thought." (FrogNews)

The Bulgarian parliament has rejected a proposal to freeze the sale of steam generation equipment - originally purchased by Russia and intended for the never-built Belene nuclear power plant - to Ukraine. Kyiv wants to buy the technology for its two reactors in the Khmelnytskyi plant in west Ukraine. The populist movement ‘There are people like this’ had proposed excluding the generators from the list of materials for sale, because they were needed to update the existing Kozloduy power plant in northwest Bulgaria. After the "no" vote from the Sofia parliament, bilateral negotiations between Ukraine and Bulgaria for the sale of the reactors continue. (news bg)

The Europe-Ukraine Desk curated this newsletter. This week's edition has been composed by our team all over Europe: Marika Ikonomu, Kornelia Kiss, Oksana Mamchenkova, Francesco Martino, Antonina Rybka and Fermin Torrano.
Michael Bird was our proofreader. 

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