Slovak PM Robert Fico to discuss gas transit through Ukraine with EU chief
Slovakia currently imports 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year through Ukraine from Russia’s energy giant Gazprom.
Boldizsar Gyori
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Zelensky to meet NATO chief Rutte, EU allies during talks in Brussels
Ukraine's allies have doubled down on economic and military support for Kyiv in attempts to strengthen the war-torn nation's hand before any potential peace talks.
Peace talks with Russia only possible when Moscow runs out of resources, Ukraine’s Yermak says
"Real negotiations for a lasting peace will begin only when the enemy no longer has the resources to continue the war," Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, said on Dec. 17.
Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports
Russian Telegram channel 112 said the suspects had already confessed to authorities.
UK sanctions 20 Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers, announces financial aid to Ukraine
The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russia’s "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraine’s energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17.
Latvia announces surprise combat readiness check of its military
While the Latvian Defense Ministry said that the drills are "not related to changes in the security environment," the exercises take place amid surging tensions between NATO and Russia.
South Korea imposes new sanctions over Russia-North Korea cooperation
South Korea imposed sanctions on 11 individuals and 15 entities "engaged in illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Dec. 17.
Ukraine 'strongly condemns' African delegation's visit to Russian-occupied territories
"Their statements during this visit about opposing colonialism, made on Ukrainian land illegally seized by Russia in the course of its neocolonial war of aggression against Ukraine, are completely absurd," the Foreign Ministry said.
Ukraine charges Russian general over use of banned chemical weapons
According to the SBU's investigation, chemical weapons have been used in more than 4,800 cases since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO 'within 10 years,' defense minister says
Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next 10 years, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.
Norway to provide $242 million for Ukrainian naval defense against Russian Black Sea threats
The money will be channeled through the Nansen Support Program, Norway's civil and military support program for Ukraine.
Ukraine produces almost 100 new Peklo missile-drones, media reports
Almost 100 of Ukraine's new Peklo missile-drone hybrids have been produced as the weapon entered serial production, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 16.
30 North Korean soldiers killed, injured in Kursk Oblast assaults, Ukraine's intelligence claims
North Korean losses have to be replenished by fresh soldiers from North Korea's 94th Separate Brigade, HUR claimed.
Russian ex-Defense Ministry official suspected of embezzling $5.8 million
According to the charges, Vladimir Shishov embezzled 600 million rubles with the help of other businessmen, such as second defendant Dmitry Levchenko, manager of RNGS Capital. Shishov was arrested on suspicion of fraud in October 2023. The embezzled money was allocated for a "special infrastructure project."
Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast, SBU source claims
"There were thousands of ammunition rounds for armored personnel carriers, tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, mines, grenades, and millions of rounds of ammunition of various calibers," the SBU source said.
South Africa will not invite Putin to next G20 summit over ICC arrest warrant
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the next G20 summit due to his pending arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a spokesperson of the South African president told Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency on Dec. 15.
Hungary did not discuss any Christmas truce, prisoner swap with Ukraine, Presidential Office says
The Hungarian side "did not discuss anything" with Ukraine and "did not warn about its contacts with Moscow," said Dmytro Lytvyn, the presidential communications adviser, referring to Viktor Orban’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin.
Scholz ready to talk to Putin again despite 'frustrating' phone call
"I will do it again. But we must not have any illusions about it," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, according to Zeit.
Russian snipers use Western rifles, ammunition despite sanctions, media investigation says
Russia uses Western sniper rifles and ammunition despite sanctions, obtaining the arms via third-party countries, according to a joint media investigation published by The Insider on Dec. 11.
NATO members mull raising defense spending benchmark to 3% GDP, FT reports
European NATO foreign ministers began discussing a plan to gradually increase the alliance’s defense spending target from 2% of their GDP to 3% by 2030, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 12, citing undisclosed sources.
US lawmakers ask for intelligence report on impact of cutting Ukraine aid
Lawmakers from both chambers of the U.S. legislature requested the director of national intelligence, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to compile a report on different policy impacts on Ukraine and U.S. security, according to The Hill.
Ukraine's tax hike, G7 loan enough for planned defense expenses in 2025, Finance Ministry says
For the next year, Ukraine allocated 26.3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and security expenditures, including Hr 740 billion ($17.7 billion) for arms purchases and Hr 50 billion ($1.2 billion) on the production and purchase of drones.
Russia convinced Assad to flee Syria amid rebel offensive, Bloomberg reports
Moscow persuaded Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia with his family after realizing his regime was bound to lose to the opposition's rapid advance, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 11, citing its sources.
Updated: Hungary's Orban calls Putin to discuss Ukraine
The Hungarian government has not yet commented on the call, which appears to have taken place after Orban's visit to Trump's Florida residence.
Zelensky emphasized security guarantees in talks with Trump, Reuters reports
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump did not discuss details of a possible peace plan when they met in Paris, with Trump calling for an immediate ceasefire, Reuters reported on Dec. 11, citing five undisclosed sources.
Police raid Ukrainian Railways over suspected criminal scheme
"The actions of the defendants led to significant losses and the creation of an artificial shortage of tickets for the most popular routes on the market," the police’s statement read.
Russia killed at least 109 Ukrainian POWs in 2024, ombudsman says
"In 2024 alone, we can confirm that Russian troops shot 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war," Lubinets said. Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities.
Taurus delivery to Ukraine should be coordinated with US, European partners, German opposition leader says
German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz would closely coordinate the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine with the U.S. and European partners, he said in an interview with Bild on Dec. 9.
Politico lists Yermak, Putin among Europe's most influential people
Politico presented on Dec. 10 its end-of-the-year list of the most influential people in Europe, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Russian President Vladimir Putin among the finalists for the "dreamers" and "doers" categories, respectively.
Russia detains Russian-German citizen over alleged sabotage plot
Russia’s security services detained a Russian-German citizen for allegedly preparing a sabotage plot against railways, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Dec. 10.
44% of Ukrainians trust Trump, more than elsewhere in Europe, survey suggests
Some 44.6% of Ukrainians trust U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, roughly 10 points less than incumbent President Joe Biden, a survey by New Europe Center published on Dec. 10 showed.
Russian losses in Syria — BBC identifies 543 soldiers, Wagner mercenaries who died since 2015
Of the total number, 346 were employees of the Wagner company, a private mercenary group also deployed in Russia's war in Ukraine and elsewhere.
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