Zelensky is already in the United States to meet with Trump and sign the agreement for the exploitation of Ukraine's rare earths. Meanwhile, attacks continue on Ukrainian territory, where Russian troops continue to focus on strategic and energy facilities in Ukraine.
Tonight, Russia has carried out several attacks on the energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine. In these bombings, mainly drones were used, resulting in one person being injured.
Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, resisted capture by Russian forces in the early stages of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the city and the surrounding region have been frequent targets of Russian air attacks.
Orbán: "Ukraine's Entry into the EU Would Ruin Agriculture and Bring Crime"
Hungary's Prime Minister, the ultranationalist Viktor Orbán, stated on Friday that he opposes Ukraine's integration into the European Union (EU) because he believes it would ruin his country's agriculture and generate an influx of crime, as reported by Efe.
"I, for my part, am against it," Orbán said when asked about the upcoming EU summit where, among other topics, the potential integration of Ukraine will be discussed.
The Hungarian leader added that he currently sees "not a single argument" justifying Ukraine's accession "from the Hungarian interests perspective," although he added that he does not dare to say that his refusal will remain forever.
Ukraine Says It Shot Down 107 of the 208 Drones Launched by Russia Overnight
The Ukrainian army said on Friday that it had shot down 107 drones out of the 208 launched by Russia overnight, as reported by Reuters.
The air force stated that another 97 drones were "lost" and did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures.
Russia Shoots Down 22 Drones over Five of Its Regions
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 22 Ukrainian drones over five of its regions last night, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Friday, as reported by Efe.
According to the military report, the highest number of unmanned aerial vehicles - 8 - was neutralized in the Oryol region.
Seven other drones were shot down in Kursk, a Russian border region partially occupied by Ukrainian troops since August 6, 2024.
Four drones were downed in Bryansk, two in the Krasnodar region, and one in Smolensk, the official note concludes.
Starmer Invites Over a Dozen Leaders to Summit on Ukraine on Sunday
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer invited over a dozen European leaders to a summit on Sunday to "boost" their actions on Ukraine and security, his office announced on Friday, as reported by Afp.
That day, after a morning phone call with the Baltic countries, Starmer will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street. Later in the afternoon, at a summit in London, he will gather leaders from various European countries, including France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, as well as from NATO and the European Union.
Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport Resumes Flights after Brief Suspension
Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport resumed flight arrivals and departures on Friday morning after a temporary suspension of operations, Russia's aviation authority said, as reported by Reuters.
"Restrictions on the arrival and departure of aircraft were lifted at Sheremetyevo Airport at 03:45 Moscow time (0045 GMT)," the aviation authority said on its Telegram app.
The authority stated that the restrictions were introduced to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft flights.
Russian Security Chief Arrives in Beijing to Meet with Xi
Russia's high security official and former Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, arrived in Beijing on Friday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian news agencies reported, as reported by Afp.
"During his one-day visit, he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping (...) and with Foreign Minister Wang Yi," TASS agency stated.
Shoigu's trip comes days after a call between Xi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in which the Chinese leader praised Moscow's "positive efforts" to end the crisis in Ukraine.