Zelenskyy allows end of war in exchange for joining NATO, soldiers given time to return from AWOL: November 29 highlights

Zelensky allowed an end to the war in exchange for NATO membership

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the "hot phase" of the war with Russia will end when the unoccupied territories of Ukraine are under the protection of NATO. Ukraine will return the remaining territories through diplomatic channels.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, has already sent a letter to NATO allies, in which he asks them to give Ukraine an invitation to join the Alliance as early as next week.

Meanwhile, CNN learned the details of the plan of Keith Kellogg, who was chosen by the newly elected US President Donald Trump as a special envoy regarding the war in Ukraine.

Defense Forces hit a Russian oil depot

Defense forces of Ukraine hit an oil depot in Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation . As a result of the damage, a fire broke out on the grounds of the facility. At least two sources of ignition were recorded.

The Ukrainian military also destroyed the radar station of the Buk-M3 air defense system of the Russian military in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Taxes will increase from December 1

The tax increase law will enter into force on December 1, and not in the last days of November, as it was previously believed.

After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on November 28, it was immediately published in Voice of Ukraine, which meant that it automatically came into force.

And this would mean that during the 28 days of November there was one tax rate (1.5% of the military levy), and the remaining 2 days - 5%.

Personnel changes in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Office of the President

Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi became the new commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. From May to September of this year, he headed the Kharkiv operational grouping. In May 2014, he led an operation to release hostages in a police station in Mariupol seized by separatists.

The commander of the 95th Separate Amphibious Assault Brigade, Oleh Apostol, was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

And the commander of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Pavlo Palis, became the deputy head of the Office of the President.

The soldiers were given time to return from the SZH

Military personnel who voluntarily left the unit and deserted must return to service by January 1, 2025 to avoid criminal punishment. This was stated by the advisor of the State Bureau of Investigation, Tetyana Sapyan. According to her, those who do not "compromise" face 5-7 years of imprisonment.

Enterprises will be able to reserve employees for a year

Businesses that have not yet upgraded but already have critical status will be able to book workers until February 28, 2025. After receiving the status according to the new criteria, they will be able to reserve employees for 12 months.

To rserve business employees, they must confirm compliance with three of the eight criteria.

Almost half of the "limited fit" became fit

Approximately 45% of men who previously had the status of "limited fitness for military service" received the status of fitness for service after a re-examination, a hromadske source at the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

As a reminder, all conscript men who were previously determined to be of limited fitness must re-pass the military medical examination by February 4, 2025.

Budanov reacted to rumors about his resignation

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, called the rumors about the possible consideration of the decision on his dismissal "a hoax".

"But there is nothing surprising in this - spreading rumors and disinformation is what is done to destabilize the country and the team," Budanov said.

A company accused the National Police and the Ministry of Defense of demanding bribes

The Sinclair & Wilde company, which concluded an agreement with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the supply of military uniforms, said that they demanded bribes from it. The day before, Ukrainian law enforcement officers reported that they had uncovered a scheme of embezzlement of budget funds in which this company was involved.

Ukraine condemned the violent crackdown on the protest in Tbilisi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemned the use of force against a peaceful protest in Tbilisi. Kyiv called to investigate all violations recorded by international observers and bring the guilty to justice.

In the morning, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia reported the detention of 43 participants of the protest in front of the parliament, which took place in response to the authorities' refusal to negotiate on joining the EU. Dozens of people were injured, including more than 20 journalists.

Other news

• The bodies of 502 fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine.
• Ukraine received $100 million in aid from South Korea.
• The Pokrovsk and Kurakhove axes will be strengthened with reserves and equipment.
• Social housing in Ukraine will be completely new, and it will be rented out at a price lower than the market price.
• A Tiktoker from Ukraine was detained in Poland. He smashed cars and wanted to live in Moscow.