Politics

Monday, December 23

Ukraine is facing a fundamental decision: continue fighting or negotiate?

Ukraine is facing a fundamental decision: continue fighting or negotiate? Ukrainians are currently pondering a crucial decision – to continue the fight or negotiate for peace, and the Biden administration is committed to providing Ukraine with the strongest possible positio...

The US will provide Ukraine with a $1.2B military aid package; Trump plans to continue arms deliveries.

The US will provide Ukraine with a $1.2B military aid package; Trump plans to continue arms deliveries. The Biden administration will announce its final Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package in the coming days, using the remaining funds that have been reserved to purchase new weapons for...

Ukraine will cease the transit of Russian gas on January 1, but pro-Russian EU leaders have not given up hope for its continuation.

Ukraine will cease the transit of Russian gas on January 1, but pro-Russian EU leaders have not given up hope for its continuation. Beginning January 1 2025, the Ukrainian GTS will be able to transport gas of Russian origin only at the request of the European Commission, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. At the same time, accordi...

The EC is again considering the full confiscation of frozen Russian assets.

The EC is again considering the full confiscation of frozen Russian assets. The EU should consider taking bolder measures, such as confiscating the Russian Central Bank’s foreign assets as compensation for Ukraine, said Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for ...

Under what conditions are European countries prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine?

Under what conditions are European countries prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine? European countries would consider sending military personnel to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, but they will not unite peacekeeping forces under the NATO flag, as a NATO mission requires unanimo...

The EU and the US are channeling billions from Russian asset proceeds to help Ukraine.

The EU and the US are channeling billions from Russian asset proceeds to help Ukraine. The European Commission has announced macro-financial assistance to Ukraine through a loan of €18.1B, which will be paid in equal installments throughout 2025 with the first tranche expected in Januar...

Money above all: Russian sanctions are being weakened through exceptions.

Money above all: Russian sanctions are being weakened through exceptions. The US has made an exception to the sanctions imposed on Gazprombank to allow payment for Russian gas by Hungary and Turkey. The Hungarian Foreign Ministry believes the latest sanctions against Russia...

What further defensive support have Ukraine’s partners promised?

What further defensive support have Ukraine’s partners promised? In January next year, the UK and its partners will supply Ukraine with thousands of combat drones as part of the Maritime and Drone Capability Coalitions. Britain will also continue training Ukrainian...

Friday, December 20

Zelensky met in Brussels with Rutte and Macron: What was discussed?

Zelensky met in Brussels with Rutte and Macron: What was discussed? President Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met in Brussels to discuss achieving a unified European position on the issue of Ukraine’s support. The parties discussed the provision ...

Ukraine’s accelerated integration into the EU should become a central foreign policy element for the EU, the US, and Britain.

Ukraine’s accelerated integration into the EU should become a central foreign policy element for the EU, the US, and Britain. According to Mykhailo Bno-Airiyan, Eurofasttrack is not just a political choice but a strategic necessity. “For Europe and the US, this is a unique chance to consolidate Ukraine in the Western d...

What is Europe afraid of in the negotiations over Ukraine’s future?

What is Europe afraid of in the negotiations over Ukraine’s future? Donald Trump’s return to the White House is now the primary issue for senior officials in European capitals. Their biggest concern is what will happen to Ukraine, Eurasia Group noted. The EU has...

Von der Leyen in the European Parliament: Supporting Ukraine is a strategic goal for the EU.

Von der Leyen in the European Parliament: Supporting Ukraine is a strategic goal for the EU. Continuing and strengthening support for Ukraine while Putin makes every effort to break Ukrainian resistance is a strategic imperative for the EU, said EC President Ursula von der Leyen in the Europe...

Kallas urges the West to stop pressuring Ukraine into talks because Russia doesn’t want peace. But Kellogg believes both countries are ready for talks.

Kallas urges the West to stop pressuring Ukraine into talks because Russia doesn’t want peace. But Kellogg believes both countries are ready for talks. Western capitals need to stop pushing President Zelenskyy into peace talks and instead fulfill their promises of security guarantees for Ukraine, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said. “There&...

European Council in Brussels: What message did Zelenskyy sent to EU leaders?

European Council in Brussels: What message did Zelenskyy sent to EU leaders? President Zelenskyy called on the EU to unite and actively participate in future negotiations to establish peace in Ukraine. He stressed that future talks should be based on strong positions for both ...

Britain will provide Ukraine with a new $286M military aid package; Belgium will not be able to deliver its promised F-16s.

Britain will provide Ukraine with a new $286M military aid package; Belgium will not be able to deliver its promised F-16s. Britain will allocate additional military equipment to Ukraine worth £225M ($286M) to support it in the war against Russia. The new package includes: £92M to support the navy £68M for air defense equi...

Thursday, December 19

Piraeus Bank sponsored the War & Politics Live event in Kyiv: What the Future Holds for Ukraine in 2025.

Piraeus Bank sponsored the War & Politics Live event in Kyiv: What the Future Holds for Ukraine in 2025. On December 13, the UBN Network hosted an event titled “WAR & POLITICS: POST US ELECTIONS – WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR UKRAINE.” As the general sponsor of UBN’s series of ev...

Trump’s special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine war is planning a visit to Kyiv and is ready to visit Moscow if invited.

Trump’s special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine war is planning a visit to Kyiv and is ready to visit Moscow if invited. According to Reuters, President-Elect Donald Trump’s envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will travel to Kyiv in early January 2025. Kellogg plans to meet with Ukrainian leaders in Kyiv, and his te...

Zelenskyy to Trump: Freezing the war is dangerous, and negotiations with Putin will take place only on Ukraine’s terms.

Zelenskyy to Trump: Freezing the war is dangerous, and negotiations with Putin will take place only on Ukraine’s terms. Newly elected US President Donald Trump knows that Ukraine does not want to surrender and freeze the war, President Zelenskyy said, commenting on the negotiations with Trump in Paris. “We are no...

NATO will coordinate military assistance to Ukraine instead of the US.

NATO will coordinate military assistance to Ukraine instead of the US. From now on, NATO will play a direct role in Ukraine’s war against Russia, although the involvement of Alliance troops is not envisaged. At the same time, the transfer of control to NATO coordin...

The US announced a $177B aid package for Ukraine, but only some funds and weapons have arrived.

The US announced a $177B aid package for Ukraine, but only some funds and weapons have arrived. President Zelenskyy stated during a meeting of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities that the US has allocated $177B to support Ukraine, but not all the money and aid deliveries have arrived....

Europe could deploy up to 100,000 troops as peacekeepers to ensure security in Ukraine.

Europe could deploy up to 100,000 troops as peacekeepers to ensure security in Ukraine. European countries could form a deterrent force that would be deployed in Ukraine, with about 40,000 European peacekeepers likely to participate in the mission, but the number could increase to 100,00...

Analysts suggest that the war in Ukraine is nearing its end.

Analysts suggest that the war in Ukraine is nearing its end. Rajan Menon, a scholar at the Saltzman Institute for the Study of War and Peace at Columbia University, believes that the prospects for a peace agreement are now becoming more realistic and that the r...

Poland will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth €100M and supports Ukraine’s simulataneous accession to the EU and NATO.

Poland will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth €100M and supports Ukraine’s simulataneous accession to the EU and NATO. The Polish government plans to transfer a new aid package to Ukraine in January, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Lviv. He said the 46th support package will include weapons and equipment wor...

Wednesday, December 18

Russia plans to continue the war until it fully occupies four Ukrainian regions in 2025.

Russia plans to continue the war until it fully occupies four Ukrainian regions in 2025. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said that Moscow intends to fully seize the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine in 2025. At a Defense Ministry meeting, he confirmed...

Trump said there was “some progress” in ending the Russian-Ukrainian war and warned to revoke permission for strikes deep into Russia.

Trump said there was “some progress” in ending the Russian-Ukrainian war and warned to revoke permission for strikes deep into Russia. US President-Elect Donald Trump noted that his team is currently working to end the Russian war against Ukraine, and there is already “some progress.” Trump stressed that “We have ma...

The UK, EU, and US will work to strengthen Ukraine’s position in peace talks with Russia.

The UK, EU, and US will work to strengthen Ukraine’s position in peace talks with Russia. The UK is focused on ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position in 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said. To do this, the UK plans to use a range of mechanisms, including economic ...

Europe is debating EU troops being stationed in Ukraine.

Europe is debating EU troops being stationed in Ukraine. The German Defense Ministry announced the potential participation of its military in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine if Kyiv and Moscow agree on a ceasefire. However, German Defense Minister Boris P...

The EU has changed its position on ending the war in Ukraine and wants to participate in negotiations.

The EU has changed its position on ending the war in Ukraine and wants to participate in negotiations. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has changed his position on peace talks with Russia, saying that Europe should take the initiative in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine before Donald Trump...

Tuesday, December 17

Kallas names the EU’s requirement for discussing peacekeepers being sent to Ukraine.

Kallas names the EU’s requirement for discussing peacekeepers being sent to Ukraine. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said that the bloc’s countries have yet to discuss sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. Kallas believes that peace is needed first. “But Russia does not want...

Trump’s team is actively studying ways to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump’s team is actively studying ways to end the war in Ukraine. Discussions are currently underway among Western allies on “how to stop the conflict,” said Trump’s future national security adviser, Michael Waltz. “Before Trump’s inaug...

Norway will provide Ukraine with more than $240M to strengthen its maritime defense, and the US will try to spend its remaining aid funds in the coming weeks.

Norway will provide Ukraine with more than $240M to strengthen its maritime defense, and the US will try to spend its remaining aid funds in the coming weeks. Norway has announced an additional NRK 2.7B ($242.38M) donation to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime defense. The funds will go toward protecting civilians from attacks, clearing landmines, and training U...

Europe has delivered just over 50% of the aid it promised to Ukraine.

Europe has delivered just over 50% of the aid it promised to Ukraine. According to columnist Mark Champion, from the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 to the end of October 2024, Europe has pledged €241B in support of Ukraine, while the US promised €119...

The EU approves the 15th package of Russian sanctions that includes Chinese companies.

The EU approves the 15th package of Russian sanctions that includes Chinese companies. The EU Council has approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, which applies to 54 individuals and 30 legal entities. The sanctions include top managers of leading Russian energy companies,...

Monday, December 16

The Office of the President explained why Ukraine is not yet ready for negotiations with Russia.

The Office of the President explained why Ukraine is not yet ready for negotiations with Russia. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said that Ukraine is not yet ready to start any negotiations with Russia, as it does not feel sufficient support from the West to conduct t...

The US is providing Ukraine a new $500M defense assistance package.

The US is providing Ukraine a new $500M defense assistance package. US President Joe Biden approved the US’ 72nd security and defense package to Ukraine, White House adviser John Kirby said last week. The assistance is provided within the US’ presidential ...

The US State Department has announced four economic assistance packages for Ukraine and established an economic recovery working group.

The US State Department has announced four economic assistance packages for Ukraine and established an economic recovery working group. The US will provide Ukraine with a new financial assistance package worth about $437M, Deputy Secretary of State and Acting US Special Representative for Economic Recovery for Ukraine Richard Verma sa...

Trump is categorically against strikes deep into Russia, but the Biden team thinks it gives an advantage to Ukraine.

Trump is categorically against strikes deep into Russia, but the Biden team thinks it gives an advantage to Ukraine. US President-Elect Donald Trump is categorically against launching strikes deep into Russian territory. He said that such strikes are escalating the war and making it worse. “This should not hav...

Western leaders and Zelenskyy will meet in Brussels to discuss ending the war and establishing a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Western leaders and Zelenskyy will meet in Brussels to discuss ending the war and establishing a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. European leaders, the NATO Secretary General, and President Zelenskyy will meet in Brussels on December 18. They are expected to discuss possible formats for ending the war and potentially establishin...

Ukraine has postponed signing a critical minerals deal with the US until Trump’s inauguration.

Ukraine has postponed signing a critical minerals deal with the US until Trump’s inauguration. According to the NYT, Ukraine has postponed signing a minerals deal with the US, and the agreement will likely be signed only after US President-Elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, allowing him, not J...

Thursday, December 12

Ending the war in Ukraine will be Trump’s priority immediately after his inauguration.

Ending the war in Ukraine will be Trump’s priority immediately after his inauguration. US President-Elect Donald Trump said that he considers the war in Ukraine a higher priority for him than the conflict in the Middle East. Trump stressed the importance of resolving the conflict betwee...

The US will sell Ukraine $266M in F-16 equipment and Canada will provide $587M in military assistance.

The US will sell Ukraine $266M in F-16 equipment and Canada will provide $587M in military assistance. The US State Department has preliminarily approved the sale of maintenance-related equipment for F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian government, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a stateme...

Macron plans to discuss the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine with Poland.

Macron plans to discuss the deployment of a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine with Poland. French President Emmanuel Macron shared an idea for a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine that could involve 40,000 troops. The mission would become a new safeguard against future Russian attacks...

Hungary’s “peacekeeping mission” continues as Orban speaks with Putin for an hour about his US visit on his way to visit Erdogan in Turkey.

Hungary’s “peacekeeping mission” continues as Orban speaks with Putin for an hour about his US visit on his way to visit Erdogan in Turkey. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who recently flew to the US to discuss Ukraine with Donald Trump and his team, spoke for an hour with Russian dictator Putin on December 11. “We are taking...

Ukrainians support joining NATO without the occupied territories, but they consider nuclear weapons to be the best security guarantee.

Ukrainians support joining NATO without the occupied territories, but they consider nuclear weapons to be the best security guarantee. According to an Info Sapiens survey, 70.3% of Ukrainians positively assess a scenario in which NATO would invite Ukraine to join with its internationally recognized borders recognized. However, Articl...

Ukraine will be able to confront Russia without US assistance during the first half of 2025.

Ukraine will be able to confront Russia without US assistance during the first half of 2025. However, the likely termination of US aid to Ukraine could become a serious challenge, so Ukraine needs a plan for cooperation with the new US administration, said Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko...

Wednesday, December 11

European leaders discuss ending the war in Ukraine with Donald Trump.

European leaders discuss ending the war in Ukraine with Donald Trump. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala spoke with US President-Elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine in a phone call. “We discussed Prague’s position on the Russian invasion. I think he is ...

Ukraine is assembling a new Contact Group to end the war.

Ukraine is assembling a new Contact Group to end the war. Ukraine is forming a list of partners who will join a Contact Group in order to create a common position on ending the war, said Serhiy Nikiforov, Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine. Nikiforo...

Ukrainians have started trusting Trump more, but overall trust in Western leaders is generally declining.

Ukrainians have started trusting Trump more, but overall trust in Western leaders is generally declining. The popularity of future White House President Donald Trump among Ukrainians has increased to 44.6%, according to the results of an Info Sapiens poll. For comparison, 16% trust Trump in France, 30% in...

Ukraine will continue to receive financial assistance from the countries with which it has signed security agreements.

Ukraine will continue to receive financial assistance from the countries with which it has signed security agreements. As stated by the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, leaders from the countries that have signed security cooperation agreements with Ukraine confirm that they will pr...

Poland is calling on Germany to immediately increase defense spending, while France is ramping up purchases of long-range weapons.

Poland is calling on Germany to immediately increase defense spending, while France is ramping up purchases of long-range weapons. Poland’s Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk believes that Central Europe, including Germany, should increase its defense spending to set an example for other countries following Trump’s victory, w...

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