You're reading: Daily Digest: Top news of Friday, Oct. 5

Latest news from a new issue of the Kyiv Post: 

  • Text messages show US diplomats pressured Zelensky to investigate Trump opponents: The messages also show President Volodymyr Zelensky had agreed to go along in hopes of improving the Ukrainian-American relationship.
  • Ukraine prosecutors to review investigations into Biden-linked gas company: The authorities will review 15 investigations, including those into a local company affiliated with Hunter Biden, the son of Joseph Biden.
  • Prosecutors said Ukraine had been investigating Joe Biden months before Trump pressured Zelensky: Ukrainian investigations into the activities of former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter go back to at least early 2019, according to two Ukrainian prosecutors.
  • Azarov, Shokin, Lutsenko: A trio that only certain foreign journalists find credible: Some major media outlets have extensively quoted three of the most controversial and least credible people in Ukraine’s modern history.
  • Who is Zelensky’s chief US negotiator Andriy Yermak? President Volodymyr Zelensky’s close friend and personal aide, Andriy Yermak, is also his point man for international negotiations, especially with the U.S. and Russia. But there’s more you need to know about Yermak.
  • 5 killed as transport aircraft crashes on landing near Lviv (VIDEO): At least five people were killed and three injured as a civilian Antonov An-12 transport aircraft made a crash landing in a waste lot outside of the Lviv Airport early on Oct. 4.
  • Zelensky meets Belarusian President Lukashenko in Zhytomyr, key economic questions discussed: read more here.
  • Zelensky addresses Ukrainians, explains ‘Steinmeier Formula’: Volodymyr Zelensky’s Oct. 4 video address to Ukrainians. In it, the president explains the agreement Ukraine signed on Oct. 1, known as the “Steinmeier Formula.”

Top stories on Borders and Immigration, from new Legal Quarterly: 

  • Challenges along the borders of Europe’s largest country: The biggest European country faces plenty of threats at its borders. In the east and south, Russia’s war against Ukraine — which has claimed more than 13,000 lives — remains a looming threat to the nation’s territorial integrity and national security. On the western borders with European Union countries, smuggling and dilapidated infrastructure poses the biggest challenge. Read more here.
  • Refugees face many barriers in Ukraine: Many refugees who come to Ukraine will face a variety of problems. The UNHCR estimates that there are around 6,500 asylum-seekers waiting on their application review by the State Migration Service or courts.
  • Zelensky courts global Ukrainian diaspora to return, help rebuild nation: President Volodymyr Zelensky began his presidency with an important message: Ukraine will support people of Ukrainian heritage’s return to their motherland.
  • Welcome to the country, new Ukrainians! While many Ukrainians have sought a life outside the country, there are plenty of foreigners who would like to come here. But getting Ukrainian citizenship is not so simple.
  • Foreign students in Ukraine attracted by decent, affordable education system: Ukrainian universities are slowly but steadily recovering their positions and gaining in popularity with foreign students. More than 75,500 studied here in 2018 and the number seems to be trending upwards. Read more here.
  • Ukraine bids farewell to legal giant — scholar, pioneer and teacher of Ukraine’s finest lawyers: Vasyl Kysil, law professor and founder of Ukraine’s top law firm, died on Aug. 7 at age 70. Read our farewell note to Kysil here.