‘Take funds away from the telethon’: Poroshenko responds to European Commission report
Source: European Solidarity
In his speech in Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday, former president Petro Poroshenko urged the government to take into the account the European Commission’s recommendations on media issues in Ukraine.
The European Commission hinted that Brussels has some concerns about the lack of media pluralism in Ukraine.
“Brussels advises gradually reinstating media diversity without waiting for the war to end. This includes giving opposition channels a voice. The EU also criticized the ‘Rada’ channel for lacking opposition views and halting parliamentary broadcasts since 2022,” said Poroshenko.
The European Commission also expressed concern over state funding for the national telethon
“We need to take funds away from the TV marathon, reform the Rada channel, and lift restrictions limiting international parliamentary activities,” Poroshenko argued.
The politician who is actively aiding the Ukrainian military also called for amendments to next year’s state budget.
“We need to redirect funds away from prosecutors, create a defense-focused budget with a special war fund, ensure frontline troops receive maximum pay, and adopt a series of proposals set forth by European Solidarity,” Poroshenko added.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).