LINKS Europe has announced that it will continue with its campaign Landmine Free South Caucasus in the period October-December 2026. This campaign has been ongoing since 2018 and is implemented in co-operation with partners in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The contamination from landmines and other remnants of war is a heavy legacy from the decades of conflict that the region has experienced. Big areas are not available for agriculture and other economic use, but worse of all is the killing and the maiming of people that occurs on a nearly daily basis, as despite warnings and precautions, the inevitable happens. Incidents involving landmines occur regularly. Landmines, and other remnants of war, cast a shadow over life, over the hope of those who aspire for a new beginning and impede progress. For many, the landmine threat means that for them the conflict is not over yet. When LINKS Europe launched the Landmine Free South Caucasus campaign in 2018 it envisaged a collaborative regional effort to eradicate landmines. At the time this was a far cry. Armenia and Azerbaijan were still engrossed in a bitter conflict. But LINKS Europe persisted, and the campaign gained momentum. In 2026 things are different. Peace is on the agenda and on the horizon. Landmine clearance is a common goal. But work still needs to be done in order to deal with the problem in a collaborative way. Landmine clearance can and should be a confidence building measure. The campaign has also two other important considerations. It says thank you to deminers. Hundreds of people, working with ANAMA in Azerbaijan, or CHDE in Armenia, and other organisations risk their life as they try to make the land safer. They deserve our gratitude. Another consideration is the impact of landmine incidents on victims. The campaign marks 30th November as the regional day of solidarity with the victims of landmines in the South Caucasus. Listening to the testimony of victims in the LFSC events in the past eight years has been a humbling experience. The Landmine Free South Caucasus campaign has always been a collaborative effort, involving state bodies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Azerbaijan and the Security Council in Armenia, the demining agencies, and many NGOs and civil society organisations in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. For the period 2018-2024 campaign was also a collaborative project with the European Union. We regret that the EU has not joined effort with this campaign this year. This means we depend on the generosity of our partners for funding the campaign in 2026. Landmines cast a dark shadow over the whole Caucasus region. As long as there is a landmine problem peace is incomplete. Let us work together for a Landmine Free South Caucasus!

The European Commission disbursed €1.24 billion to Ukraine on Wednesday (October 7) under the defence component of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, earmarked for drones, drone interceptors, ammunition, and missiles produced by Ukrainian entities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the payment would strengthen Ukraine’s defence industry and its ability to protect people and infrastructure. She described Russia’s ongoing attacks as a deliberate strategy intended to make daily life increasingly difficult for Ukrainians. The Ukraine Support Loan provides an indicative €60 billion for defence and €30 billion for budgetary assistance during 2026–2027. The European Commission plans to disburse €28.3 billion for Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity in 2026, with further payments under the defence component expected in the coming weeks. Funding decisions are based on Ukraine’s evolving requirements and remain subject to agreed conditions and monitoring. According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi, the latest payment brings Ukraine’s defence financing received through the programme to nearly €13 billion. He said the government would continue working with European partners to ensure the remaining planned funding is delivered on schedule and in full For the remainder of 2026, €32.5 billion in EU financial support remains available to Ukraine. This includes €28.1 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan – €15.4 billion for defence industrial capacity and €12.7 billion in budget support. A further €4.4 billion remains available through the Ukraine Facility, bringing the total budget support available for 2026 to more than €17 billion, subject to Ukraine meeting the relevant conditions. Since 2022, the EU and its member states have provided €228.7 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion generated from immobilised Russian assets.

Mertz surprise visit to Kyiv, and increased German support for Ukraine, is a potential game-changer, writes Dennis Sammut, in this week's "Monday Commentary". German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, made a surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend. He visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Sunday and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his "barbaric attacks" and end what he called a "senseless war." This was the fourth such visit to Ukraine by a German chancellor since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. Merz visit to Kyiv this weekend came at a very significant moment, and was full of symbolism, but not only. It was very significant also in terms of content. Merz arrived in Kyiv by train early on Sunday morning, accompanied by the German Economy Minister and a delegation of leading figures from German business, including executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems. "If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later," Merz said upon arrival. During the visit of the German Chancellor air raid sirens blared across the Ukrainian capital throughout the morning, as Kyiv's mayor announced one of the city's bridges had been hit by a Russian drone. Sunday's visit comes just days after Merz had assured Ukraine of Germany's support, despite isolated resistance and criticism at home. Merz said earlier  'If Germany wavers, Europe wavers;  if Europe wavers, Ukraine wavers” The German broadcaster Deutche Welle said that  “Germany remains Ukraine's most important backer, both militarily and financially, but state elections in September saw significant gains for parties at both ends of the political spectrum who are critical of expenditure on Ukraine: the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the socialist Left Party in Berlin.” Speaking before his visit to Ukraine, Merz called out in particular "the AfD and their Russian backers" and promised Ukraine that Germany would not be divided.” Merz visit and Germany’s stronger support is a game-changer The visit of the German Chancellor to Ukraine this weekend came  at crucial moment for Ukraine and for Europe. Germany's strong and tangible support for Ukraine can be a game-changer, (click image to read the Commentary in full)