A day at home. Paige was here, and I asked her how Joan was doing with the steps exercise. She said she stopped them because Joan's balance was so bad that she was afraid to continue. I need to add some balance exercises.
In another 16 days, it will be time to be in Golina. I hope I can make that trip this year. I also hope the weather will be good enough to take Joan. It has been too many years since we were last there for that important day.
Meanwhile: Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky began his visit to Brussels on Thursday, Oct. 15, by meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. During the meeting, he urged continued allied deliveries of ballistic missile interceptors and F-16 ammunition, as Russia continues its strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure despite US President Donald Trump’s ceasefire push. According to Zelensky, Russia has launched nearly 1,000 drones since Wednesday, Oct. 14, amid Starlink restrictions that further strained Kyiv-Washington diplomacy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU must increase funding for Ukraine as Kyiv faces a major budget shortfall in 2027. EU leaders are discussing additional support amid intensified Russian attacks, while calls grow to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Belgium remains opposed to the proposal.
Merz pushed back against any attempt by the United States to try to get Europe to hand over some of the money as part of Washington’s peace negotiations with Moscow.
“These are assets that are frozen in Europe, and they should remain frozen in Europe. This is our business, and we will decide on it,” he said.
