1. Solidarity: Unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support.

2. Limbo: An uncertain situation that is not yet decided or resolved, often causing a delay.

3. Drip by Drip Approach: A gradual or incremental method, often used negatively here to describe a strategy that has been perceived as causing damage or prolonging a situation.

4. Escalation: An increase or intensification, especially in the seriousness or severity of a situation.

5. Humanitarian Crisis: A situation where there is a widespread threat to health, safety, and well-being of a large group of people, often requiring urgent intervention.

6. Ramps up: Increases or intensifies quickly.

7. Cathedral: A large and important church, typically one that contains the cathedra (the bishop’s throne).

8. Disinformation: False or misleading information that is spread deliberately to deceive or manipulate.

9. Trophy Weapons: Weapons captured as trophies during hostilities.

10. Cluster Munitions: A type of weapon that releases explosive submunitions over a target area, often causing widespread damage.

11. Supplemental: Additional or extra, often referring to funds or support beyond the regular budget.

12. Continuing Resolution: A temporary funding measure passed by Congress to keep the government operating when a formal budget has not been approved.

13. National Security Interests: The interests and objectives of a country related to its security and defense.

14. Hardliners: Individuals with a strict and uncompromising stance on a particular issue.

15. Charity: The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need.

16. Refugees: Individuals who have been forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

17. Psychological Well-being: The state of being emotionally and mentally healthy.

18. Underfunding: Insufficient financial support or resources.

19. Asylum Seekers: Individuals who have sought protection and asylum in another country due to fear of persecution or harm in their home country.

20. Displacement: Forcible movement of people from their home or usual residence.

Ukraine expresses solidarity for Israelfollowing deadly weekend attacks.Ukrainians understand very precisely what’s happening in Israeland how Israeli people feel at this point.Plus, with Congress in turmoil, u. S.Aid for Ukraine is still in limbo.I think the drip by drip approachthat we’ve used has been very damaging.It has drawn out the war.It has caused greater loss of life.It has given the Russians time tobuild these massive defenses in the south.That they have built.And later in the program, the growing humanitariancrisis in Ukraine worsening by the day asRussia ramps up its assaults on civilian targets.Today is Monday, October 9, from the Voice of America.This is flashpoint, Ukraine.Good evening, I’m Lori London in Washington.Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, flashed Israel’s national flag onadvertising boards on Sunday, signaling support after asurprise Hamas attack on Israel that was unravelinginto full scale violence in the region.This as Ukraine itself saw another weekend ofRussian bombardment in a number of regions.I talked to Anna Chernikova in Kievfor an update on all of it.Russian forces continue shelling of theUkrainian cities and over the weekend.We have reports from the Parisia, Odessa and Hersonregion with most of the shelling happening there.What’s important to mention that Russian forcesused onyx missiles to attack Odessa onyxmissiles were previously used once as well.But these missiles normally are not usedfor on land attacks from Odessa.We know about four victims and the heat atthe recreation facility, as well as damages of thegrain storage in private buildings in the Parisia region.Five.Private buildings were damaged, with onelocal resident killed and two injured.In the Parisia region, Russian forces used clustermunitions to launch their attack over the weekend.And Herson region again was under the fire.We know about eleven.People injured, including a nine month old babyand a medical worker of the Red Cross.On Sunday morning, during the morning service,one of the cathedrals in her sonwas under Russian attack as well.There were damages of the cathedral facilitiesand two people were reported injured.This is one of the big cathedrals in the city.And with all of this happening and now a lot ofthe media attention has been turning to Israel with what?Has been happening there with theHamas attack over the weekend.At the same time, I understand that Ukraineis keeping a close eye on this.President Zelensky has shown his support for Israel.He spoke to Israeli Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu.I understand there may be ukrainian officialsseem to think there may be someconnection to the Hamas terrorists in Russia.This is actually true.And this was discussed here in Ukraine a lot.That Ukraine definitely sees.Russian role in this recentescalation of war in Israel.And what’s important, what the main aim,according to Ukrainian experts and Ukrainian politicsis basically Russia is trying to turnworld’s attention away from Ukraine.A similar opinion, actually.Was also expressed by President of Poland and in therecent report by the Institute for the Study of Waras well as there are also talks about Russian militarysupport of Hamas and Iranian support as well.But again we cannot discuss.It was no official reports on that at this point.However, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports thatRussia handed over to Hamas trophy weaponscaptured during hostilities here in Ukraine whichwere manufactured in the US.And EU.And according to the Ukrainian Ministry ofDefense, russia plans to launch a disinformationcampaign to accuse Ukrainian military of sellingthese Western weapons to the terrorist organization.And this is something that was discussed today.We can also say that for Ukraine this escalation inIsrael has a very important angle because a lot ofUkrainians are living in Israel and a lot of Ukrainianswere going to Israel when full scale invasion happened.So basically, they are refugees to Israel.And at this point, there are reportsof at least two Ukrainians killed duringthis latest escalation in Israel.And I understand there are billboards and flags.Actually, on Sunday in Kiev particularly, allelectronic billboards were representing support to Israelwith Israeli flags on it.And this was in a cooperation with local authorities.So Kiev is definitely showing itssupport to the people of Israel.Ukrainians understand very precisely what’s happening in Israel andhow Israeli people feel at this point so we’llsee what the next day will bring us anaChernikova reporting for VOA from Kiev congress’s failure toinclude aid for Ukraine in a recent continuing resolutionto fund the US.Government has raised concern about future support forUkraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s invasionnow with aid also promised to Israel followingthe deadly weekend attacks by Hamas militants willthat further complicate efforts to support Ukraine?I spoke with Ambassador Kurt Volcker, a distinguishedfellow at the center for European Policy Analysis.He served as U. S.Special Representative for Ukraine negotiations from 2017through 2019 and as the former US.Ambassador to NATO.A lot of concern over future funding forUkraine from Democrats, from the Republican, from Europeanallies, given that the continuing resolution on September30 that kept the US.Government open left out aid for Ukraine.It was literally the reason that it was being heldup by a small group of Republicans in Congress.Now, we know the bill was only temporary so thedebate will be back up again in a couple weeksand it seems that there’s a lot of uncertainty asto what happens if we don’t provide funding for Ukraine.What happens to our relationship with ourallies, what happens to Ukraine, what happenswith our own national security?What is your perspective on Know?I think everyone is obviously watching this buteven in all the things that you justlisted, there are a number of positive things.First off, I think it was helpful topass a clean, continuing resolution and take Ukraineaid out of that because the overall issueson the budget are very controversial.And also the way that this was passed,which was overruling the far right minority inthe Republican Party, which then caused this rebellionagainst McCarthy, all of those things were happeningon their own independent of aid to Ukraine.And I think that’s useful because now we’regoing to have to have a situation wherethey come back to pass a regular budget,even if it’s another continuing resolution.They’re going to have to choose a new speaker.That will probably result in a change ofthis rule that only one member is requiredto file a motion to vacate.And as a result of all that, I think then youcan come back to voting on Ukraine aid and it hasa better chance of passing as a standalone item.And you have to remember as well that inboth the Senate and the House you have vastmajorities in both parties that support aid to Ukraine.The trick is getting it to the floor.Without a House Speaker, there won’t be a vote.That’s right.And I think they will get a speaker.Their first votes to do so will be tomorrow.But it’s not going probably notgoing to go in one round.They’re probably going to have alot of negotiation over this.But I think there will be a speaker eventually.It will be a Republican.It will somehow adjust the rules thatled to this cris to begin with.I don’t think they’re going to tee it upso that this could happen all over again.But some of the hardliners are saying thatthey don’t want money going to Ukraine, period.Not just they want it to go to the US. Border security.They’re just sort of digging in, goingto be able to overcome that.And what happens if we don’t support Ukraine?You’re absolutely right that there are some people with thatview and it is also right that many, many morepeople want to see more attention to the southern border.They’re not incompatible.Helping Ukraine and helping get control ofour southern border, you can do both.And as far as the votes go, there’s only dozen orso people who take that very hardline view against aid.Ukraine, the vast majority of allthe representatives are in favor.There are these hardliners, but they onlyhave a dozen or so votes.It would be very OD for them to be able todictate the policy over such a vast majority in favor.There were a lot of debates over a lot of issues.Ukraine, of course.  “  WWW.ARMINIC.COM  “  Among them.And the thing that they were able toget done was a clean continuing resolution.No special supplemental funding or anything.And remember that Ukraine is supplemental.It’s not part of the regular budget.So they had to do that just to keepthe government running without any additional elements in there.Now they have time to pick a new speaker.They have to deal with the furthercontinuing resolutions or budget that will comebasically least beginning in mid November.And then I think they will comeback to the question of Ukraine.Concerning the actual support for Ukraine and whyit matters, president Biden is planning to speakto the American people at some point tolay out why he believes support for Ukraineis in our own national security interests.Obviously, support is still there for Ukraine, but inrecent polls seems to be slipping a bit.What do you think the President needs to say?And why is aid to Ukraine sofundamental to American national security interests?Right, well, first off, it’s great that the Presidentis coming out to give a speech like that.In fact, I would say it’s long overdue.We’ve been spending a lot of money.We’ve been engaged in this effort tohelp Ukraine for well over a year.And this is the first time that the President iscoming out to address the American people this way.I think what he needs to say isthat it is an American interest to seeUkraine succeed and Russian forces defeated.It’s not only about charity.It’s about serving our own interests.And the reason that it’s an American interest is becauseVladimir Putin is now on the goal on the programof trying to rebuild the Russian Empire to take territoryin Europe that does not belong to Russia in orderto rebuild a sense of empire.And the risk is that he will do this withother countries that are now NATO members, countries that werein the Russian empire previously or the Soviet Union previously,that he may now want to take back.This could include the Baltic states, whichare members of NATO, could include Finland.He is threatening the security of Europe as a whole ifhe does attack a NATO member or widen the war.It will draw the US.Into it directly.And we certainly don’t want tobe forced into that position.And we’re far better off if his forces are actuallydefeated in Ukraine and then we see some kind ofacceptance by Russia to live within its own borders.And do you think it would be better for usto just give them the support they need to justconquer this or to continue to give it in doses?Yeah, I think the drip by drip approachthat we’ve used has been very damaging.It has drawn out the war.It has caused greater loss of life.It has given the Russians time to build these massive defensesin the south that they have built, and it has contributedto this sense of fatigue or this sense of questioning, howlong is this going to go on, which is making itharder to pass additional aid in the House.So I think we do have to lift therestrictions, give them the weapons that we would wantif we were going to be doing this, sothat they are able to do it themselves.With the US now focused on Israel and theworld watching what’s happening in Israel, that’s something Congressis also going to need to take up.Will that change the equation at all?As far as Congress and the Americans for thatmatter, willing to support Ukraine, will that sort ofshift the focus or take a priority?Well, it’s certainly going to grabthe headlines for a while now.The attacks against Israel are absolutely horrific, andof course, Israel is now going to fightback, and that will grab attention.But ultimately, I think what we see is thatthese are two sides of the same coin.You have, in one case Hamas and another case Russia.Engaging in terrorist attacks, deliberate targeting of civilians,really something that no one can accept.And I think as we look at the way that Israelis fighting back, as it must, I think we have torealize that Ukraine needs to fight back as well.They’re just up against a much more powerful adversary.Ambassador Kurt Volcker, a distinguished Fellowat the center for European PolicyAnalysis who also served as US.Special Representative for Ukraine negotiations from 2017to 2019, and as the former US.Ambassador to NATO.With divisions growing from Western allies, ukrainianPresident Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday spoke toNATO’s parliamentary assembly and called for Westernunity in the face of global events.This is not the time to withdrawfrom the international arena into internal disputes.This is not the time to isolate ourselves.This is not the time to remainsilent or pretend that the term onone continent does not affect global affairs.Everyone can help prevent the chasm betweenthe world and peace from violence.He also expressed gratitude for the defense supportallies have provided, while stressing the need tocontinue for the sake of all.And I thank all of you who areworking with us to implement the peace formula.All areas of our cooperation lead to onething to ensure that the UN Charter isfully effective in protecting Ukraine and our entireEurope from terror and aggression.Ladies and gentlemen, I urge your states and parliaments tobe even more active for the sake of global unity.Let everyone who sponsors terror fillthe power of our ref.And let everyone who needs help defending themselvesagainst terror fill the power of our solidarity.We must all be able to promise our children thatwe will leave them a world ruled not by bloodshed by evil, but by freedom guaranteed by law.Meanwhile, Russia may be paving the way to conduct anuclear test, a move that would sharply raise tensions withthe west and likely prompt other world powers to resumetesting for the first time this century.President Vladimir Putin last week said Russia’sparliament should consider withdrawing Moscow’s ratification ofthe 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, whichprohibits tests involving nuclear explosions.Parliamentary leaders were due todiscuss the issue on Monday.You’re listening to VOA’s flashpoint ukraine.I’m lori london.Russia’s government said on Friday it had lifted aban on pipeline diesel exports via ports, removing thebulk of restrictions installed on September 21.Francis McGuire with Reuters reports russia lifted a banon pipeline diesel exports through ports on Friday.It removes the majority of restrictions putin place last month in a bidto tackle shortages and stem rising prices.The move will force markets to take notice asRussia is the world’s top seaborne exporter of diesel.The fuel is also Russia’s biggest oil export,at about 35 million tons last year.Almost three quarters of thatwere shipped via pipelines.Restrictions on fuel exports from the country haveraised global prices and forced some buyers tofind other sources of gasoline and diesel.Russia has fought shortages and high fuelprices in recent months, and that especiallyhurt farmers during the harvesting season.Since the ban was introduced, wholesale diesel priceson the local exchange have fallen by 21%,while gasoline prices are down by a 10th.Even though rules have eased for diesel,gasoline exports still have restrictions in place.Russia exported 4.8 million tons of gasoline in 2022.Francis McGuire reporting for Reuters.With the war now in its secondyear, the humanitarian needs resulting from Russia’sinvasion of Ukraine are continuing to mount.I spoke with Akhil Dupre, spokesperson for theInternational Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine.What we’re seeing is that, as you said, it’s somethingthat has been going on for over 18 months thatthis armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia is going on.And this is taking such a heavytoll on civilians and on civilian infrastructure.And that highlights something that for us,as the Red Cross is so unacceptable.It’s the fact that civilians should not bethe ones suffering from armed conflict, as accordingto international humanitarian law, according to the GenevaConventions, civilian infrastructures should be protected and thebelligerents must take all protections to spare them.Unfortunately, we see so often thatthis is sadly not the case.And when this isn’t the case, it meansthat we see just shocking and appalling levelsof loss of civilian lives, just communities thathave been suffering for months because.  “  WWW.ARMINIC.COM  “  They live close to the front line because sometimesthe front line is moving closer to them.Sometimes they are from remote communities where it’sreally difficult for humanitarian organization to access themand they’re the ones suffering the most.And so it’s just very shocking and appalling, really.You’re saying it’s really difficult the waythey’re living and the infrastructure, can yoube specific about how they are living?Are they living in bomb shelters? What about the homes?Yeah, and all that?So the thing that we have to understandis that these communities living very close tothe front line, sometimes they have seen literallytheir villages become the front line.So they have had to live sometimes for weeks undergroundin shelter, even when their village isn’t strictly sense tothe front line itself, it means that they are seeingaerial strikes that are going above their heads.Obviously, this takes a toll also on theirmental health, on their psychological well being.So the way they’re living is that a lot of thesecommunities, if you’re so close to the front line, most peoplewho were in a position to leave, they have left.So this means that the ones that are remainingare typically some of the most vulnerable, for example,the elderly or people with disabilities or children.So they’re living in very, very dire conditions.And it’s so important that humanitarian organizations like theInternational Committee of the Red Cross or also ourpartners of the Ukrainian Red Cross are able togo in these communities regularly and bring them theessentials, really, water, food, hygiene products.And also now the temperatures are getting quitecold already in Ukraine, but it’s going toget much worse in the winter.So all these communities, they’re already preparingfor the winter, they’re repairing their houses.When they have been damaged, they haveto redo insulation of their houses.So all of these things that need tobe done before it gets too cold.So they’re really living in very dire conditions.And so you guys are actually going intothese communities and bringing emergency assistance to thepeople living in the conflict zones or displaced.Are we talking about food, medical?Are you providing housing?How does that all work as far as being thesepeople find a way to survive through all of this?So for us, our main focus is on bringinghumanitarian relief to people who are close to thefront line because they are the ones that arethe most vulnerable and the most affected.What we bring them can bedrinking water when they need it.Also, one very important thing is that we come tothese communities and we bring repair materials that we donateto these communities so that they can repair, for example,their windows that have been shattered or they can repairthe roofs that have been destroyed.So all these things that make it sothat they can keep on living as normal,a life as possible in these circumstances.We are also going to these communitiesto help the local authorities because thelocal authorities are always operating.So we’re supporting, for example, the medicalinfrastructure, the health facilities, we’re giving themwar wounded kids to treat injuries frommissile strikes, this sort of thing.So we are really helping people directly sothat they can sustain a living, but alsowe’re helping the authorities around them that aredoing everything possible for life to continue inthese terribly difficult circumstances.How many staffers do you have on the ground in Ukraine?For us, for the International Committee ofthe Red Cross, our humanitarian response inUkraine is our largest operation globally.We have a workforce of around 800staff bit under that across the country.So that means that we have staff thatgoes very regularly to all the communities thatneed humanitarian assistance all across the country.The front line is extremely long, so we haveseveral offices with colleagues going into the communities.Sometimes hard to reach communities becausethe roads are very difficult.So we are working also hand in hand withour partners from the Ukrainian Red Cross and theyhave thousands of volunteers across the countries.And they’re also helping us tremendously in reachingthe people that need us to reach them.Sounds like the needs are extremelyintense for food and drinking water.And you mentioned mental health. Obviously.This has obviously taken a serious toll onthe mental health of the people of Ukraine.You guys are also addressing that issue, aren’t you?Absolutely.In Ukraine, as in any other country that is affectedby armed conflict, of course, you see first the visiblescars, the people that are injured, the physical injury.What people often don’t see is the mental healthtoll that it takes on regular people, including children.All right, well, we thank you so much fortaking the time to talk to us about allof these important aspects of this ongoing war thatcontinues to devastate the people of Ukraine.Thanks for giving me the opportunity.It’s always a pleasure to speak to you.Laura Akhil Dupre, spokesperson for the InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross in Ukraine.Thank you so much for speaking with us.The head of the UN refugee Agency, meanwhile,said Monday the organization was facing one ofthe most difficult moments in its more than70 year history, with some 110,000,000 people displacedaround the world and a major funding shortfall.Given this backdrop, I’m extremely worriedabout the underfunding of UNHCR and,broadly speaking, humanitarian operations.More worried than I have been in almost eightyears in which I have held this office.In an address to the UNHCR’s governing body, filippoGrande urged countries to respect the rights of thosefleeing conflict or persecution guaranteed under the 1951 RefugeeConvention the body was created to oversee.Conflicts from Ukraine to Sudan have pushed displacementsto record levels around the globe at atime when some governments face growing pressure toget tougher on asylum seekers.And that’ll do it for us today.Stay up to date with continuing coverage onUkraine and news from around the world 24hours a day@voainews.com and on social media.Just follow voainews.On behalf of all of us here atVOA, we thank you so much for listening.Until next time, I’m VOA’s. Lori London.