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Maynilad Water Services Inc., which is mulling over its initial public offering (IPO) in November, said it will submit its final prospectus this week to reflect the changes in its registration statement.

The change may include a lower share price and the increase in its cornerstone investors, according to Ramoncito S. Fernandez, Maynilad president and CEO.

He said the cornerstone investors in its maiden offering are already ‘committed.’

‘The progress is promising. And we will file the final prospectus by this Friday. The market is bad. but we are putting in a very successful and incredible story,’ Fernandez said.

According to its latest prospectus, Maynilad’s cornerstone investors include International Finance Corp., the Asian Development Bank and Security Bank Corp.- Trust and Asset Management Group.

Maynilad offer consists of 1.66 billion common shares of primary offer, 24.9 million in preferential offer, with an overallotment option of 249.04 million shares and an upsize option of 354.7 million in secondary common shares. The deal is priced up to P20 per share, but agreements with the cornerstone investors may not push through if the price falls below P15 apiece.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), meanwhile, has granted the first Philippine Green Equity label to Maynilad, pursuant to the new guidelines issued by the agency to further promote sustainable finance.

In a letter to the company dated September 26, the SEC Markets and Securities Regulation Department confirmed that Maynilad has sufficiently established and demonstrated its compliance with the requirements under the Guidelines on Philippine Green Equity, subject to its continuing compliance with the guidelines.

The green equity guidelines allow publicly listed companies and companies preparing to go public that generate a significant portion of their revenues from, and direct majority of their investments toward, green activities, to distinguish themselves from other issuers through the use of the Philippine Green Equity label.

Under the guidelines, companies intending to carry the Philippine Green Equity Level must be listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) or preparing to go public, with more than 50 percent of their revenues and investments (sum of capital expenditure and operating expenditure) earned from or directed toward green activities. Such activities must meet the eligibility criteria of the Philippine Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Guidelines (SFTG) or the Asean Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (ATSF). Companies’ revenues derived from fossil fuels must also be limited to less than 5 percent.

Based on the assessment report of an external reviewer submitted to the SEC, Maynilad derived 100 percent of its revenues from green activities, such as water supply, wastewater treatment, sanitation services, and installation of new water service connections, in line with the minimum 50 percent requirement as provided under the guidelines.

Assuming that overallotment option and preferential offer are fully subscribed, Maynilad could net up to P37.38 billion from the IPO, but proceeds could be upsized up to P50 billion.

The offer will run from October 23 to 29, with the shares expected to be listed on the main board of the PSE on November 7, according to the latest timeline it submitted to the SEC.

On October 19, vivo will introduce the V60 Lite, a smartphone designed to celebrate self-expression and effortless style. With a feather-light body and striking color options, it’s crafted for young Filipinos who want their phone to be as bold and vibrant as their personality.

Ultra-slim comfort that moves with you

Measuring just 7.59mm thin and weighing only 194g, the V60 Lite 5G redefines sleekness. Its Slim Flat Screen Design and premium straight-edge frame create a modern silhouette that feels effortlessly light and comfortable, even during long hours of scrolling, gaming, or streaming your favorite K-dramas.

The 6.77-inch 120 Hz AMOLED display with HDR10+ certification delivers vivid colors and an impressive 94.2% screen-to-body ratio, making every video and selfie pop.

Camera elegance, seamlessly integrated

At the back, the Exquisite Transparent Camera Module showcases a minimalist vertical lens layout that blends seamlessly into the panel.

The subtle sparkle of the transparent material adds a premium touch while staying compact, so you can capture content in portrait or landscape without any awkward grip.

Colors that match every mood

The vivo V60 Lite has three colors that mirrors your mood and style:

Pop Pink – Playful yet empowering, this cheerful shade features a subtle iridescent shift that feels like pure ‘pink magic.’ Perfect for mirror selfies and OOTDs, it channels the trendy girl-group vibe and brings a splash of joy to everyday life.

Titanium Blue – Inspired by Arctic glaciers, Titanium Blue radiates calm luxury with its cool metallic finish. It’s the color of confidence-ideal for students and young professionals who want their phone to feel as polished as their ambitions.

Elegant Black – A timeless classic with flowing metallic luster, Elegant Black delivers understated sophistication. Whether at a night out or an important meeting, it instantly elevates your look.

More than just a phone, the vivo V60 Lite 5G is a personal accessory that complements every outfit and moment. From the lecture hall to late-night hangouts, it keeps up with a dynamic lifestyle while showcasing a look that’s uniquely you.

The vivo V60 Lite will launch on October 19 in Pop Pink, Titanium Blue, and Elegant Black. Celebrate your individuality and capture every memory in style with the phone that’s slim, powerful, and undeniably chic.

An undefeated run to the ATP Finals trophy later this year will result in a paycheck of more than $5 million – slightly more than what Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka earned for their US Open titles this month.

The exact amount for an undefeated run at the year-ending event for the top-eight players is $5,071,000, the ATP announced. That’s an increase on the $4,881,100 that Jannik Sinner earned when he went undefeated at last year’s ATP Finals.

Alcaraz and Sabalenka each earned exactly $5 million at the US Open.

Total prize money for the ATP Finals – Nov. 9-16 in Turin – is $15.5 million.

Top-ranked Alcaraz and No. 2 Sinner, who each won two Grand Slam titles this season, are the only two singles players to have qualified for the finals so far.

An undefeated doubles team will earn $959,300.

THE pandemic years marked a turning point for Mark Lewis Higgins. He turned 60, mourned the loss of his sister, and faced the truth that he alone carried the responsibility for Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, founded in 1960 by his mother and National Artist Salvación Lim Higgins, and his aunt Purificación Lim.

‘I realized I needed to think about succession. If something happens to me, what will happen to this school?’ he said. ‘It’s not so much for the legacy of my mom. It’s more because if the school shuts down, it would be a great loss for the country. The curriculum is so valuable.’

Slim’s became known for its strict training in design, dressmaking, and patternmaking. The school set the benchmark for technical precision in Philippine fashion education, and produced generations of designers and artisans, among them Oliver Tolentino, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Joe Salazar, Oskar Peralta, and Michael Cinco. For Higgins, the main question was how the school would continue.

‘We weren’t just looking for a partner,’ he explained. ‘We were looking for a community that understands the dignity of making.’

In September, the ownership and custodianship of Slim’s Fashion and Arts School was officially handed over to the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

‘Benilde has the infrastructure, the heart, and the commitment to carry Slim’s forward,’ Higgins said.

Under the agreement, Slim’s will continue offering its diploma and certificate programs under Benilde’s School of Environment and Design. The college will retain Slim’s core courses in Dressmaking, Bespoke Tailoring, Fashion Illustration, and Draping, while introducing new ones such as the Textile Series, Fashion Business Series, and Styling.

‘This is not just a merger,’ said Bro. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC, president of CSB, during the ceremonial handover and MOU signing on September 4 at the college’s Design + Arts Campus. ‘It’s a custodianship. Slim’s is a national patrimony, and we’re honored to be entrusted with its legacy. We want to make its training accessible to more students, especially those who come from middle-class backgrounds and aspire to build careers in fashion.’

Christine Cheryl Benet, incoming director of Slim’s under Benilde, stressed that the school’s identity will remain intact. ‘Slim’s has always been about precision, discipline, and honoring the craft,’ she said. ‘We’re expanding into arts and design, but the core remains-we train makers, not just dreamers.’

The agreement also links Slim’s archives with the planned Benilde Fashion Museum at the historic Miguel Febres Cordero Building. The museum will house garments, sketches, and documents from Slim’s and other Filipino designers, allowing students and researchers to study them firsthand.

For Higgins, the transfer involved many moving parts. ‘You can imagine it’s a very complicated transition.it’s like an octopus. In one tentacle, you have the curriculum. In another, you have the collection of dresses, which will now be with the Benilde Fashion Museum. Then another tentacle is the library, which houses hundreds of books. Then you have the archive of vintage photographs, my mom’s original fashion designs. So it’s a lot for them to absorb and to plan for.’

One piece in particular was difficult to let go. ‘My mom’s wedding gown. She designed and made it herself. She closed her shop for two months just to create her entire wardrobe when she got married. It’s a beautiful gown. It hasn’t been seen since 1959, but we’ve been photographing it for an upcoming book,’ he said.

The gown, he added, is a testament to her craft. ‘She bought this really expensive lace from Paris, and she always told me it was heirloom lace. The lace has not disintegrated, and the dress is beautifully cut. It’s Dutch satin and silk, and whatever was left from that lace, she made into the christening dress for my sister and me.’

Benet explained that Slim’s will remain a separate unit under Benilde. While Benilde runs four-year fashion and design degree programs, Slim’s will focus on shorter certificate and diploma courses, including TESDA-recognized training. This ensures that the Slim’s Method of dressmaking and tailoring is preserved while being integrated into Benilde’s offerings. She noted that Slim’s curriculum would broaden through Benilde’s expertise in fields such as textiles. This expansion would strengthen the fashion ecosystem, benefiting not only designers but also artisans and other makers who are vital to the supply chain.

Sustainability is another priority. Benet pointed out that many Filipinos today lack access to skilled dressmakers or tailors. ‘One of the main problems of typical Filipinos is that there’s no one to sew in their area. First and foremost, we don’t even know how to repair clothes,’ she said. By producing more skilled artisans through Slim’s, she hopes communities will learn to repair and modify clothing rather than relying on fast fashion.

She also emphasized Slim’s role in preserving Filipino identity in fashion. Many young designers, she observed, are unfamiliar with earlier generations of Filipino designers. By keeping Slim’s teaching methods and archives alive, students gain a deeper understanding of the roots of Philippine fashion, not just its Western influences.

Higgins believes Benilde is the right custodian to carry Slim’s forward. ‘The exciting thing is, because it’s in the hands of an institution like De La Salle, they can run it on a larger scale than my sister and I ever could. They want to retain the clientele of people who don’t necessarily want a college degree but who want to learn a skill. At the same time, they can integrate it so that you can ladderize it and still earn a degree. In a way, they’re reaching a broader market than we would.’

Benilde established the country’s first bachelor’s degree in fashion in 1996. With Slim’s under its wing, the college can now support both degree programs and skill-based training.

‘The fashion industry is incredibly diverse,’ Benet added. ‘It is made up not only of degree holders, but also artisans and makers, all of whom are vital to keeping our industry alive. By housing the Slim’s Fashion and Arts School under Benilde, we can contribute more holistically to the Philippine fashion ecosystem-nurturing not only designers, but also the artisans and technical experts that bring fashion to life. This milestone ensures that Slim’s legacy thrives in the hands of a new generation.’

LeBron James sat out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first practice of training camp with a minor injury Tuesday.

James has ‘a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute,’ coach JJ Redick said after the workout at the Lakers’ training complex.

James will become the first player in NBA history to play 23 seasons when the Lakers open the regular season on Oct. 21 against Golden State. That game is the target for James and the Lakers, who will work together to manage the 40-year-old superstar’s workload against injuries and exhaustion, particularly during training camp.

While the top scorer in NBA history still might play during the preseason, Redick said the Lakers are ‘playing the long game with LeBron.’

James was named to the All-NBA second team last year after averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds while staying largely healthy and playing in 70 games. Redick said the Lakers want to keep James close to full health throughout the season, with the goal of being prepared for the playoffs.

Gabe Vincent (left knee), newcomer Marcus Smart (left Achilles) and rookie Adou Thiero (left knee) also didn’t fully participate in the Lakers’ first practice.

Los Angeles opens its preseason schedule Friday night in Palm Desert, California, against the Phoenix Suns.

Steve Kerr insists he is perfectly content coaching the Golden State Warriors in a contract year without worrying about negotiations or what’s next until the season is done.

He trusts owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to have those discussions when the time is right for everybody, whether that ends up being during the season or once it’s over many months from now. Kerr doesn’t anticipate having those discussions for a while.

‘I’m very comfortable just going into this season with a year left. I’m so aligned with Mike and Joe that we talked about this. There’s no reason for discussion, concern, this is kind of a point in our relationship. Let’s just see how it is at the end of the year,’ Kerr said Tuesday. ‘I love my job, I love what I’m doing every day, can’t wait to get to the building. Hopefully I’m here for another few years but I think it makes sense for the organization and for me just to see where this thing is at the end of the year, where they are, where I am. Hopefully that means we run it back, we keep going with this group, and that’d be awesome.’

Kerr, who turned 60 on Saturday, begins his 12th season leading the Warriors having won four NBA titles and now with son Nicholas as an assistant coach on his bench, too, after being promoted from the G League Santa Cruz Warriors.

Whether Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will all depart together in some kind of fairytale farewell from the franchise is uncertain. Whatever happens, Kerr cherishes the special postseason runs and championships they’ve shared together.

Kerr owns a 567-308 regular-season record and guided the team to five straight NBA Finals that included the Warriors’ first championship in 40 years following the 2014-15 season.

The Warriors lost in the second round of the playoffs and want to chase another championship, and that is Kerr’s focus – not his own situation.

‘I’m not the slightest bit concerned about it. I don’t think about it,’ he said. ‘I just think it makes perfect sense for all of us. I’ve said this before, however this ends it’s going to be done in a really quality way. It’s going to happen the right way. If it’s meant to be for me to keep going then I’m going to keep going, and if it’s meant to be for the team to move on to somebody else there will be nothing but gratitude and appreciation. So this makes it easy for everybody.’

For now, he’s ready to get back to work. Day 1 of training camp was Tuesday and the Warriors host the Lakers in their preseason opener Sunday at Chase Center.

Golden State can move ahead now that restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga’s contract stalemate has resolved and center Al Horford’s signing can become official. Curry’s younger brother Seth is also joining the roster.

Kuminga agreed to a two-year contract Tuesday that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the Warriors exercise their option for 2026-27, according to a person with knowledge of the contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t made a formal announcement.

‘I’m lucky to coach the group of guys that I’ve been able to coach,’ Kerr said. ‘So I don’t spend a lot of time reflecting on the last 11 years, but I do embrace the fact that I get to do this every day. I’m very lucky.’

IT is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others. We look at colleagues who seem to be climbing the ladder faster, friends who appear to have more exciting lives, or neighbors whose families look perfect. Social media adds to the pressure. In just a few minutes of scrolling we can find ourselves asking why our lives do not look as polished as what we see online. The truth is that constant comparison is draining and it steals the joy that could be found in our own journey.

One way to avoid this trap is to remind yourself that what you see is rarely the full picture. A friend may post photos from a beach trip but you do not see the months of stress that led to that short break. A coworker may receive recognition at work but you do not see the late nights or personal struggles behind the achievement. Social media is often a highlight reel. Remembering that no one shares everything helps you keep perspective.

Another helpful approach is to practice gratitude. When you notice yourself feeling envious of someone else, pause and list three things you are grateful for in your own life. These do not have to be grand or extraordinary. It could be as simple as having a meal you enjoyed, a friend who listened to you, or a small task you managed to finish today. Gratitude brings your attention back to what is already working for you instead of focusing on what you think you lack.

You can also set personal goals that are based on your own values rather than on what others are doing. For example, instead of thinking that you must earn as much as a certain classmate, focus on what financial stability means for your situation. If your goal is to save enough to cover three months of expenses, then reaching that goal should be the measure of your progress. When goals are personal and meaningful, you are less likely to compare them with the achievements of others.

Limiting exposure to triggers is another practical step. If you notice that certain online accounts always make you feel worse, consider muting or unfollowing them. If you find yourself repeatedly comparing your home or possessions to those of a neighbor, spend less time looking at what they have and more time improving what is within your reach. You cannot control what others post or own, but you can control what you allow yourself to consume and dwell on.

It also helps to celebrate small wins. If you cooked a new dish for the first time, give yourself credit. If you finished a report ahead of schedule, acknowledge the effort. If you made it through a stressful week, recognize your resilience. These small celebrations create a habit of valuing your progress and make you less dependent on comparing yourself to others.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people also makes a difference. When you are with friends or family who encourage you, you feel less the need to prove yourself. A circle that appreciates you for who you are helps remind you that you are valued, even without constant comparison. Choose to spend more time with people who uplift you rather than those who compete with you.

More importantly, practicing self-compassion is vital because it shapes the way you respond to your own shortcomings and challenges. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and no one is perfect. Instead of criticizing yourself for not being like someone else, learn to acknowledge your efforts and accept that mistakes are part of growth. Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend who has fallen short of a goal by reminding them of their accomplishments, encouraging them to keep going, and assuring them that setbacks do not define their worth. Offering yourself the same patience and understanding helps you recover faster, stay motivated, and build resilience.

Avoiding the trap of constant comparison does not mean ignoring the achievements of others. It means appreciating them without turning them into a measure of your own worth. You can admire someone’s talent without believing that yours is less valuable. You can be inspired by a friend’s success without feeling that you are failing. Life is not a race where only one person can win. Each person is on a different path with different challenges and different blessings.

The next time you catch yourself scrolling through social media or admiring someone else’s success, pause and remind yourself that you are only seeing part of the story. Shift your focus back to your own journey and notice how far you have come, even in small ways that are easy to overlook. Appreciate the blessings already present in your life, set goals that reflect your own values, and give yourself credit for both big and small wins. When you choose to celebrate your progress instead of comparing it to others, you create room to live more fully, with a sense of peace that comes from walking your own path with clarity and gratitude.

Set your creativity afloat and capture the beauty of the sea in watercolor!

Enroll in a six-session course on Seascape Painting at Sunshine Place as part of its Watercolor Masterclass Series every Saturday starting October 16, 2025 from

2;00 – 5:00 pm.

Visual artist Sir Jen Consumido, who promotes watercolor as a fine art medium, will guide workshop participants step by step as they explore techniques for soft sunsets, rolling waves, rocky coasts, and even boats at rest by the seashore.

Participants will learn mixing ocean blues and coastal color palettes; painting skies, clouds, and horizons; creating wave textures and reflections; adding details like sand, rocks, and boats; and designing dramatic, atmospheric seascapes

By the end of the series, they will have a collection of beautiful seascape studies and a completed, gallery-worthy final piece-plus the confidence to paint the ocean anytime inspiration strikes.

XDS-Astana rider, Matteo Malucelli continued to display his power to once again securing a stage victory at the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2025 (PLTdL25) from Kuala Terengganu to Kemaman, covering a distance of 140.8 kms on Wednesday.

In a finish that was predicted to end in a bunch sprint, Malucelli, who had previously won Stages 1 and 3, completed a hattrick and equaled his achievement when he was with JCL UKYO last year.

Nevertheless, he credited the success due to the hard work and tactics from his teammates for bringing him into the right position for the final sprint, where he defeated Manuel Penalver (Polti VisitMalta) and Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) with a time of 3 hours 17 minutes 56 seconds.

The win provides a 10-second time bonus, extending his lead in the overall General Classification to 22 seconds over his closest rival and 26 seconds ahead of teammate Aaron Gate, accumulating a total time of 13 hours 15 minutes 45 seconds to secure him the PETRONAS Green Jersey.

Furthermore, he has also widened the gap in the points classification for the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) Orange Jersey (Sprint King) by accumulating 57 points, 24 points ahead of his closest rival, Blikra.

Meanwhile, Patrick Eddy continues to wear the BubblesO2 Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains) with 15 points, having prevented his nearest challenger from Burgos-Burpellet BH, Jambaljamts Sainbayar, from collecting points at the sole Category 4 climb zone in Kijal.

Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) rider from Kazakhstan, Vadim Pronskiy, also retained the Rakan Muda White Jersey as the Best Asian Rider by riding safely within the main peloton.

With a short and flat route, Malucelli said his task of finding a stage victory for a great team like Astana was made easier. ‘It’s an amazing feeling, it feels like a continuation of my good performance last year. The wins in the previous two stages removed a lot of pressure. Today, I still felt strong, and my teammates did an excellent job. I executed a perfect sprint in the last 200 meters.

But for Thursday’s stage (the climb from Temerloh to Fraser’s Hill), I will try to defend, at least the Sprint King jersey,’ said the Italian rider who joined Astana at the start of 2025.

He stated that throughout the race, Astana calmly controlled the pace despite a small breakaway group ahead, and only became aggressive in the last few kilometers, where he was expertly positioned by Alexander Vinokurov and Aaron Gate, especially through the final two right turns towards the finish line.

Local and TSG fans’ hopes, which were initially high when Muhammad Nur Aiman Rosli was seen in the three-rider breakaway group, were dashed when the national champion, who had won the two sprint zones in Marang and Paka was caught by the peloton led by Astana and Uno-X, about 4km before the finish line at Taman Bandar Cukai, Kemaman.

The race, which started at Dataran Batu Buruk, Kuala Terengganu, officiated by the Chairman of the Terengganu Youth, Sports and NGO Development Committee, saw riders start under a scorching 31-degree Celsius heat with Nur Aiman, Vojtech Kminek (Burgos), and Yauheni Sobal (Chengdu DYC) formed the early breakaway.

However, Kminek decided to slow down the pace and rejoin the peloton, while Aiman and Sobal worked together until Kijal, before Sobal also dropped back. When Nur Aiman rode solo, he was easily caught by the peloton.

‘It wasn’t meant to be, but I tried my best today. I will keep trying in the next stages,’ said Nur Aiman who was still proud of the Most Combative Rider award for the fourth stage.

Malaysian Pro Cycling (MPC) rider, Mohammad Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil, was the best Asian and ASEAN rider for the stage, finishing in seventh place.

However, several minor accidents occurred at the back of the peloton, and three riders failed to finish the stage (DNF) and are out of the competition, meaning only 115 riders will start Stage 5 Thursday.

Stage 5, covering a distance of 123.1km, is considered one of the decisive stages of this year’s PLTdL25. It will start in Temerloh, featuring three sprint zones in Mentakab, Bukit Damar and Mempaga, before riders face the first climb, Category 3 in Raub and then the final Category 1 summit finish at the Fraser’s Hill Clock Tower.

There is a growing sense of foreboding over the continuation of the war in Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces mounting backlash at home. Questions are being raised about the flow of Western aid and the specter of corruption in its use, even as reports of desertion at the front undermine Ukraine’s military readiness.

Zelenskyy’s push for more Western assistance is colliding with a Europe weary of the war’s economic costs. Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and Poland-all carrying public debt near 90 percent of GDP-are seeing growing domestic discontent. Economists warn that further aid and expanded anti-Russian sanctions risk tipping these fragile economies closer to financial crisis, potentially pushing debt levels above 100 percent of GDP if the conflict drags on.

Western efforts to cripple Russia’s economy have largely failed. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, in an interview with The New York Times, admitted grimly: ‘Russia is now producing three times as much ammunition in three months as NATO does in a year.’ This imbalance underscores Ukraine’s mounting challenges-from dwindling resources to declining morale.

At home, Zelenskyy faces a worsening manpower crisis. Reports indicate widespread failure of mobilization efforts and critical shortages of personnel. Independent experts estimate that since the start of the conflict, more than 260,000 Ukrainian soldiers have abandoned their posts. Andriy Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps, has publicly opposed harsher penalties for desertion, warning that they would only drive more soldiers into hiding until the war ends.

Ukraine’s economic crisis is equally dire. The country faces what analysts describe as ‘complete bankruptcy,’ compounded by a mass population exodus, including conscription-age men. Recent reporting by The Financial Times revealed Ukraine lost nearly $770 million to corruption and failed arms procurement deals-funds that were paid to intermediaries for weapons and ammunition that never arrived. The European Union has since moved to strengthen oversight over its pound 50 billion support package set to run through 2027.

Across Europe, popular support for the war is eroding. Citizens, already burdened by inflation and illegal migration concerns, are questioning why billions are sent to Kyiv while domestic needs go unmet-especially when allegations of theft by Ukrainian officials surface regularly. The corruption angle is one piece of the puzzle that has enveloped the European Union’s citizens’ resolve to continue funding Zelenskyy’s military might.

There is also the incipient effect of the rise in prices in these European economies that is hurting the decision of the citizens to go with the flow of more aid for the war theater in Ukraine. Another sore thumb is the increased influx of immigrants that encumber EU’s resources.

Washington, too, appears to be reassessing its role. Aid volumes have declined, and US President Donald Trump recently suggested that regaining lost Ukrainian territory may now hinge primarily on European support. His remarks, echoed by observers at the UN General Assembly, signal a possible shift of the financial and political burden from Washington to NATO’s European members.

What is equally striking is the sense of stalemate now creeping into the war’s narrative. Western publics, once galvanized by the defense of democracy, are beginning to tune out, fatigued by grim headlines and endless requests for funding. Without a new strategic vision-one that combines accountability with a credible path to de-escalation-the war risks becoming a frozen conflict that drains resources for years to come.

The danger is not just military defeat for Ukraine, but the corrosion of public trust in democratic governments that cannot explain why the war drags on with no clear endgame. For Europe, this trust deficit could embolden far-right populists who are already capitalizing on economic grievances and migration fears to challenge centrist coalitions.

If Zelenskyy wishes to sustain international support, he must not only hold the line militarily but also prove to his partners that aid will not vanish into black holes of corruption. Transparent reporting, joint oversight with donor nations, and a realistic plan for negotiation must become part of Kyiv’s message. Otherwise, the war may continue to be fought with dwindling resources and diminishing goodwill-a path that could lead to Ukraine’s isolation just when it needs allies the most.