US allocates almost $254 million for increasing missile production
The U.S. Defense Department has provided $253.7 million to Williams International (Williams) through the Defense Production Act (DPA).
United States
US plans to impose more sanctions on Russian energy by year-end, Ukrainian official says
The U.S. is planning to impose additional sanctions on Russian oil by the end of the year, particularly targeting Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, told public broadcaster Suspilne on Dec. 23.
NATO chief defends Scholz, calls Zelensky's criticism 'unfair'
In the interview, Rutte said that Scholz's contributions to Ukraine are commendable. The chancellor ensured that Germany ranks second after the U.S. in military support for Ukraine, something Kyiv could express its gratitude for, Rutte noted.
Trump names 5 picks for Pentagon jobs
Trump's picks include Elbridge Colby, who opposes Ukraine's NATO membership but supports tougher sanctions on Moscow, and Michael Duffey, who froze military aid to Kyiv in 2019.
Trump claims Putin wants to meet with him 'as soon as possible'
"President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible. So we have to wait for this. But we need to end that horrible, horrible war."
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.
Ukraine begins receiving first funds covered by frozen Russian assets proceeds
Ukraine is already receiving U.S. funds under the framework of the G7's $50 billion loan covered by profits from frozen Russian assets, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec 20.
Biden administration to announce its final $1.2 billion Ukraine aid package under USAI, Reuters reports
The package is expected to include air defense interceptors and artillery ammunition, one of the sources told Reuters.
Ukraine must decide between 'carrying on the fight or looking to negotiate ceasefire,' Blinken says
In a wide ranging interview with MSNBC on Dec. 19, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about prospects for a potential ceasefire in Ukraine as well as support for the embattled country ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.
Ukraine Business Roundup — EU gets tough on Russia’s shadow fleet
The following is the Dec. 18, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. The Council of the EU adopted on Dec. 16 its 15th package of sanctions against Russia since the
US reimposes sanctions on entities involved in Nord Stream 2 construction
"We’re going to continue to work and ensure that Russia is never able to weaponize its energy resources and its energy positioning for political gain again," U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
Trump's peace envoy nominee to visit Ukraine in early January, Zelensky confirms
"(The visit to Ukraine) will take place in early January. We are waiting for Mr. Kellogg, and then we will talk about what he had meant," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Brussels.
Russian bombers detected in Alaskan air defense zone
Russian state media later claimed that the presence of Tu-95MS military aircraft near Alaska was part of a planned operation.
US may not be able to send remaining $5.6bn in military aid to Ukraine before Trump takes office, NYT reports
Although the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden plans to allocate some funds from the presidential drawdown authority, it is unlikely to spend the whole amount.
West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says
"Both the United States and the European Union must help Ukraine to achieve a better negotiating position for possible future negotiations, which should be encouraged and forced on the aggressor, not the victim."
North Korean soldiers 'legitimate targets' for Ukrainian military, US official says
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that if North Korean troops crossed the border into Ukraine to fight for Russia, that would mark a serious "escalation" in the war.
'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine
President-elect Donald Trump confirmed he had not invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to his January inauguration but noted that Zelensky would be “welcome” if he chose to attend.
Trump's team seeks 'permanent end' to Russia-Ukraine war, national security advisor nominee says
When asked whether the upcoming Trump administration plans to restrict how Ukraine can use U.S. arms, Mike Waltz said that a "blank check... just isn't a strategy... This just, kind of, forever war that we seem to be backing into."
Trump picks former intelligence director Richard Grenell as 'envoy for special missions'
Grenell previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, as acting National Intelligence Director in 2020, and as Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations from 2019 to 2021.
Kyiv delayed minerals deal with US to let Trump take credit, NYT reports
Ukrainian authorities twice delayed signing the agreement, officials on both sides of the negotiations said. The delays offer the opportunity for Trump to claim an early victory at the start of his term.
US weighs sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet, Chinese banks supporting war effort, Reuters says
Washington is considering more sanctions on "shadow fleet" tankers and has not ruled out targeting Chinese banks if they are found to be involved in Russia’s war effort, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters in an interview on Dec. 13.
Biden administration sharing information on Ukraine war with Trump's team ahead of potential peace talks, NBC reports
Members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration have held discussions with White House officials as part of the incoming administration's ongoing effort to establish a ceasefire once Trump is inaugurated in January, NBC News reported on Dec. 13, citing sources familiar with the talks.
War will be 'resolved in next few months,' Trump's Ukraine peace envoy believes, plans to 'listen' ahead of peace talks
"I truly believe this will be resolved in the next few months," Kellogg said in an interview on Fox Business. "The only person who can do this is President Donald Trump, and he will do it. They're tired of killing each other out there. This is time," Kellogg added.
Zelensky to meet with EU, NATO leaders in Brussels on Dec. 19
Brussels will host a two-day European Summit in the EU Council buildings on Dec. 18-19.
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.
US announces over $440 million in economic aid for Ukraine
The economic aid package is comprised of four key parts, including $223 million to rebuild transportation, infrastructure, and logistics.
Russian guided bomb attacks fall sharply after ATACMS, Storm Shadow strikes, analysts say
Russian attacks against Ukraine with guided aerial bombs have reportedly fallen by over 50% since Western partners allowed Kyiv to target Russia with long-range missiles.
White House announces new $500 million weapons package for Kyiv
"This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $500 million," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Dec. 12.
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.
US House passes 2025 defense spending bill without Ukraine lend-lease extension
The $895 billion U.S. defense budget passed by the House of Representatives did not include a provision to extend the lend-lease act for Ukraine despite the efforts of Ukrainian diplomats, Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, said on Dec. 12.
Russia advises its citizens to avoid travel to US, Western nations
Russian citizens are at risk of being "hunted" by Western authorities when traveling, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed.
Trump invites Xi to inauguration, CBS News reports
Trump's team is also considering inviting other world leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
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