Harris ahead of Trump in social poll, drone attack on Russian port Kavkaz - Tuesday brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest

• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of July 23: +1,200 troops and 57 artillery systems
• Ukrainian forces shoot down Russian Su-25 fighter jet
• Martial law and mobilization in Ukraine extended for 12th time
• Ukrainian defenders hit rare Russian counter-battery radar using HIMARS

Harris ahead of Trump in latest social poll

US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for the presidency, is ahead of her rival Donald Trump in a recent poll, according to Reuters.

The agency cited data from its own poll, according to which Harris is ahead of Trump - she is supported by 44% of respondents, and the former President - 42%.

At the same time, both candidates had 44% support before Biden's withdrawal from the race, and at the beginning of the month, Trump was 1% ahead of Harris.

Drone attack on Russian port Kavkaz: Conro Trader ferry hit

On Tuesday, July 23, the Ukrainian Defense Forces inflicted significant damage to the Russian ferry Slavyanin in the port of Kavkaz in Krasnodar Krai, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

The General Staff noted that the Russian military used this ferry to transport railroad cars, vehicles and containers for military purposes.

Hungary issues ultimatum to Ukraine for unblocking €6.5 billion in EU weapons aid

Hungary will continue to block the €6.5 billion program to finance military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility until Kyiv resumes Russian oil supplies, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

According to him, the energy supply of Hungary and Slovakia is at risk, as 33% and 40-45% of their crude oil imports come from the Russian Lukoil company, with the oil transiting through Ukraine.

Szijjártó emphasized that the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement clearly states that Ukraine cannot completely or partially interrupt the transit of energy resources through its territory to EU countries.

In his opinion, it will be difficult for the European Commission to support Ukraine on this issue; however, Hungary will not limit itself to a complaint to the EU.

Ukraine to receive $3.9 billion in non-refundable aid from US

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the decision to secure a $3.9 billion grant from the United States. The funds will be channeled through the structures of the World Bank, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a government meeting.

"The government will allocate this money for the salaries of rescuers, teachers, and medical workers, as well as for social support programs. We expect to receive this grant in the near future," he said.

Shmyhal also mentioned that Ukraine has met the second quarter 2024 indicators for the Ukraine Facility program.

"We have received a positive assessment from the European Commission. This concerns reforms in the budgetary, customs, anti-corruption, and energy sectors," the Prime Minister said, adding that Ukraine expects the next tranche of €4.1 billion from the EU in September this year.

Next peace summit should be with Russia, but not on Putin's terms - Borrell

The next peace summit should be held with the participation of Russia, but on the basis of international law, not the conditions set by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, according to EU diplomat Josep Borrell.

This was his answer to whether he considers it possible to convene the next peace conference this fall and under what conditions the aggressor country of the Russian Federation could be included in this meeting.

The diplomat is convinced that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will continue to look for ways to hold the next peace conference with the participation of the Russian Federation. He emphasized that it was said earlier that the next step requires Russia's involvement. However, the negotiations should take place on a certain basis, and we are not talking about Putin's basis.