Ukrainian troops are pulling back to avoid encirclement and destruction, the president has said The Ukrainian military’s decision to withdraw from the Donbass stronghold of Avdeevka under relentless Russian pressure was “absolutely logical,” President Vladimir Zelensky has said. He explained that by doing so, Kiev is avoiding heavy casualties.

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Budapest has responded by urging the bloc’s top body not to “punish” Hungarians for their political choices The EU Commission has triggered a new mechanism which could see billions of euros allocated for Hungary. The bloc has for years accused Budapest of undermining democracy and violating LGBT rights.