Slovak PM Robert Fico meets with Putin in Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on December 22, according to the state-owned TASS news agency.
Sonya Bandouil
Articles
Trump plans to continue US military aid to Ukraine after inauguration, FT reports
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to continue military support for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 20, citing undisclosed sources.
Gazprom shares fall to 16-year low
Shares of Russian gas giant Gazprom fell to their lowest level since January 2009, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 17.
Oscars shortlist includes two Ukrainian documentaries
The Ukrainian documentaries “The Porcelain War” and “Once Upon a Time in Ukraine” have been shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards, the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Dec. 17.
Rheinmetall to provide Ukraine with 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has received an order to supply Ukraine with 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles, the company announced on Dec. 17.
Lithuania and Estonia introduce new sanctions against Georgian officials
Lithuania and Estonia have imposed sanctions against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and several government officials, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris announced on X on Dec. 15.
US announces visa bans for individuals over undermining Georgian democracy
The U.S. State Department announced visa bans for approximately 20 Georgian individuals for undermining democracy in the country, according to the department’s statement on Dec. 12.
IAEA Board condemns attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure without mention of Russia
The 35-nation IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution condemning attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure but did not explicitly name Russia as responsible, Reuters reported on Dec. 12.
Ukrainian military instructors to undergo NATO-standard training in Lithuania
Ukrainian military instructors will receive training in Lithuania in 2025 as part of NATO's Defense Education Enhancement Program (DEEP), the Ministry of Defense reported on Dec. 12.
Tsikhanouskaya says Ukraine maintains relations with Belarusian opposition leaders
Svitlana Tsikhanouskaya, the most prominent Belarusian opposition leader, discussed efforts to maintain relations with Ukrainian authorities in a European Pravda interview on Dec. 10.
Austrian OMV company terminates contract with Gazprom Export
Austrian oil and gas company OMV has terminated its long-term gas supply contract with Russia's Gazprom Export, the OMV website reported on Dec. 11.
EU to allocate 170 million euros to six countries bordering Russia and Belarus
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced 170 million euros ($178 million) in financial support for six European countries bordering Russia and Belarus to bolster their border protection efforts.
Hungary vows to block potential EU sanctions on Georgia over protest crackdowns
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has pledged to veto a proposal to impose EU sanctions on Georgian officials for their crackdown on anti-government protests, the First Channel of Georgia reported on Dec. 10.
Russian drone hits IAEA service vehicle near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
On Dec. 10, a Russian drone struck and severely damaged an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) service vehicle on its way to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), President Volodymyr Zelensky reported.
Georgian PM announces new law banning face-coverings at protests
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces, Georgia Today reported on Dec. 8.
Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina posthumously receives Prix Voltaire Special Award
Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina was posthumously honored with the Special Prix Voltaire Award at the 34th International Publishers Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 6.
EU Defense Commissioner proposes $105 billion defense budget allocation, Politico reports
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.
Media: Russian conscript killed after refusing to fight in Kursk Oblast
19-year-old Russian conscript Artem Antonov was shot and killed by his commander after reportedly refusing to sign a military contract to fight in Kursk Oblast, the Russian independent outlet IStories reported on Dec. 6.
Georgian opposition politician detained by police, crackdown continues on ninth day of mass protests
Georgian police detained Tsotne Koberidze, a politician and member of the Coalition for Change opposition group, on Dec. 6 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.
200 mental health centers to be launched in Ukraine
Ukraine plans to establish nearly 200 mental health facilities, the Health Ministry reported on Dec. 3.
BBC includes 2 Ukrainians in list of 2024 most influential women
The BBC's "100 Women 2024" list, which was published on Dec. 3, featured two Ukrainians, Olha Olefirenko and Olha Rudnieva.
Slovenia assures continued assistance to Ukraine at NATO foreign ministers meeting
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon reaffirmed her country’s strong support for Ukraine during the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Ukrinform reported on Dec. 4.
Updated: 1 killed, 3 injured in Russia's attack on Ternopil
A Russian drone attack on Ternopil, during the night of Dec. 2, caused a fire in a residential building and resulted in casualties, local officials reported.
Media: 24-year-old Ukrainian man from Russian-occupied Melitopol accused of 'criminal espionage' by FSB, faces up to 20 years in prison
Leonid Popov, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia since 2017, was charged with espionage by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the Russian independent outlet IStories reported on Nov. 29.
Over 2 million applications received on first day of new 'eSupport' financial aid program for citizens, Zelensky says
Ukraine’s new eSupport program received over 2.1 million applications on its first day of operation, including nearly half a million for children, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 1.
Ukrainian poet Myroslav Herasymovych killed on front line
Ukrainian poet, prose writer, and screenwriter Myroslav Herasymovych was killed in action on Nov. 25 in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, according to his brother’s Facebook post.
Foreign Ministry condemns Georgian response to demonstrations as second night of protests in Tbilisi continues
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) condemned Georgian authorities’ aggressive response against protestors in Tbilisi, according to a statement released on Nov. 29.
8 Ukrainian children return home from Russian-occupied territories
Eight Ukrainian children have been successfully returned from temporarily occupied territories, the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak said on Nov. 29.
Biden unlikely to deliver full planned multibillion-dollar aid to Ukraine before term ends, WSJ reports
The Biden administration may not be able to deliver the promised multibillion-dollar aid to Ukraine before Donald Trump’s inauguration, The Wall Street Journal reported on Nov. 27.
US urges Ukraine to lower draft age to 18 amid troop shortage, AP reports
The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to lower its draft age from 25 to 18 in an effort to increase troop numbers, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 27, citing an unnamed senior Biden administration official.
Some commitments from NATO summit in July remain unfulfilled, Zelensky says
Key commitments from NATO's July summit in Washington, including air defense systems and other military support, have not yet been fully implemented, President Volodymyr Zelensky told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Nov. 27.
Polish farmers lift blockade at Ukraine border
Polish farmers, who staged a protest in the village of Medyka and blocked the Sheghini border crossing with Ukraine, have suspended their blockade, Ukraine’s State Customs Service reported on Nov. 24.
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