Politics

Wednesday, January 22

Zelenskyy calls on the EU to increase weapons production – both for Ukraine and for its own defense.

Zelenskyy calls on the EU to increase weapons production – both for Ukraine and for its own defense. President Zelenskyy, at the Davos economic forum, called on the EU to increase weapons production, as it is important for both Ukraine and Europe. He said that at the beginning of the full-scale war, ...

Macron: Ukraine needs to be provided with the means to survive and the ability to negotiate from a position of strength.

Macron: Ukraine needs to be provided with the means to survive and the ability to negotiate from a position of strength. The war in Ukraine “will not end tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in his address to the French military. According to him, the West’s key ta...

The EC is developing a plan to completely stop Russian gas imports; Trump offers an alternative.

The EC is developing a plan to completely stop Russian gas imports; Trump offers an alternative. The European Commission is working on a plan to remove all Russian fossil fuels from the EU market, EC spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said in Brussels on January 20. She added that the EU has cut all ...

How much financial support from the EU will Ukraine receive this year and will aid from the US be suspended after Trump’s decree?

How much financial support from the EU will Ukraine receive this year and will aid from the US be suspended after Trump’s decree? In 2025, Ukraine expects to receive more than €30B in budget support from the EU, said Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko. The amount consists of two parts: €18.1B from the framework of using income fr...

Tuesday, January 21

The Biden administration’s priority was never Ukraine’s victory, only its survival.

The Biden administration’s priority was never Ukraine’s victory, only its survival. When the full-scale Russian invasion began, US President Joe Biden identified three key goals for the American response. Ukraine’s victory was not mentioned among them. In fact, the wording used by th...

Experts believe that the time has come for Trump to make Putin pay for Ukraine’s restoration.

Experts believe that the time has come for Trump to make Putin pay for Ukraine’s restoration. US President Donald Trump can force the aggressor country, Russia, to pay for the restoration of Ukraine by using the $300B in frozen Russian assets. Scholars from the Hoover Institution and the Ameri...

Trump vows to stop the war, orders a phone call with Putin in the first days after the inauguration; the Russian dictator is ready to engage in dialog.

Trump vows to stop the war, orders a phone call with Putin in the first days after the inauguration; the Russian dictator is ready to engage in dialog. US President Donald Trump has promised to end the war in Ukraine and prevent World War III. “I will end the war in Ukraine. I will stop the chaos in the Middle East. I will prevent World War III...

What does Putin hope to achieve in peace talks with Trump?

What does Putin hope to achieve in peace talks with Trump? Ivana Stradner, a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, believes that Moscow sees potential in peace talks to achieve its long-standing goal of subjugating Ukraine, rather than reaching...

The EU and G7 countries are continuing to help Russia to finance its war against Ukraine.

The EU and G7 countries are continuing to help Russia to finance its war against Ukraine. In parallel with the introduction of new sanctions packages aimed at “weakening Russia’s capabilities to wage an aggressive, aggressive war,” contradictory actions partially offset t...

Monday, January 20

The US secretly invested $1.5B in the production of Ukrainian drones.

The US secretly invested $1.5B in the production of Ukrainian drones. The US secretly allocated $1.5B in the Ukrainian drone industry’s development. The Biden administration declassified this data as part of the publication of documents detailing military aid to U...

Ukraine warns Trump against hasty peace talks with Russia.

Ukraine warns Trump against hasty peace talks with Russia. For an effective dialogue, Kyiv insists on first weakening the aggressor on the battlefield, notes The Telegraph. Although Donald Trump no longer promises “peace in 24 hours,” his team con...

Analysts: Russia wants to seize four regions of Ukraine by 2026 and wage war with NATO.

Analysts: Russia wants to seize four regions of Ukraine by 2026 and wage war with NATO. The head of the Ukrainian Situation Center at the German Ministry of Defense, Major General Christian Freuding, believes that that Russia is arming itself beyond the needs of its troops in Ukraine. In...

EU countries plan to increase defense spending; Germany is confident that US aid to Ukraine will not decrease.

EU countries plan to increase defense spending; Germany is confident that US aid to Ukraine will not decrease. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has called for an increase in defense spending by at least €30B. “After the special fund is exhausted, we will need at least €85B from 2028,” he sai...

The US has imposed restrictions on unfinished Russian oil tankers, and the EU has found a way to circumvent Hungary’s veto on Russian sanctions.

The US has imposed restrictions on unfinished Russian oil tankers, and the EU has found a way to circumvent Hungary’s veto on Russian sanctions. Six Russian oil tankers being built at the Zvezda shipyard have been included in US sanctions among 183 total affected vessels. This is the first time tankers have been blacklisted before having set s...

Friday, January 17

Ukraine and the UK signed a 100-year partnership agreement; what does it entail?

Ukraine and the UK signed a 100-year partnership agreement; what does it entail? On January 16, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv to meet with President Zelenskyy. The parties concluded a vital 100-year partnership agreement that will deepen cooperation in both t...

Trump’s European Defense Plan: Ukraine and the EU cannot continue the fight against Russia without American weapons.

Trump’s European Defense Plan: Ukraine and the EU cannot continue the fight against Russia without American weapons. British economist Timothy Ash noted that without US support, Ukraine and Europe can finance the fight against Russia for months, but not for a year or more, given their dependence on American weapon s...

Putin will demand Ukraine abandon NATO membership in talks with Trump.

Putin will demand Ukraine abandon NATO membership in talks with Trump. Putin will insist on a radical reduction in Kyiv’s military cooperation with NATO and an irreversible withdrawal from membership in the bloc in upcoming talks with US President-elect Donald Trump rega...

NATO and EU membership and weapons are Zelenskyy’s preferred Ukrainian security guarantees.

NATO and EU membership and weapons are Zelenskyy’s preferred Ukrainian security guarantees. President Zelenskyy notes that strategically, Ukraine views membership in the EU and NATO as its primary security guarantees. “We want to end the war with a just peace; for this, we need confide...

Scholz asked to increase Germany’s national debt threshold to provide €3B in aid to Ukraine.

Scholz asked to increase Germany’s national debt threshold to provide €3B in aid to Ukraine. The ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany, to which Chancellor Scholz belongs, says that a decision on new arms supplies to Ukraine worth €3B could be made before the parliamentary elections in Fe...

Ukraine’s reconstruction: Poland is ready to organize a summit next year, Ukraine will spend €100M this year, and Britain to provide $47M.

Ukraine’s reconstruction: Poland is ready to organize a summit next year, Ukraine will spend €100M this year, and Britain to provide $47M. Poland is ready to organize a Ukrainian reconstruction summit in 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. Meanwhile, the third stage of the Ukraine Recovery Program has begun. The Ukrainian gover...

Thursday, January 16

The war in Ukraine must end: Ukraine and the US should be prepared for concessions.

The war in Ukraine must end: Ukraine and the US should be prepared for concessions. President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said it’s “unrealistic to believe” that Ukraine can push Russian forces back to where they were before the 2022 inv...

Trump may use sanctions to finish off Moscow, which is running out of money for the National Welfare Fund.

Trump may use sanctions to finish off Moscow, which is running out of money for the National Welfare Fund. German energy analyst Tom O’Donnell said that the latest US sanctions could significantly harm Moscow, and that generally, sanctions against Russian oil could become a key weapon for US Presiden...

Trump says it will take months to end war against Ukraine; Zelenskyy prepares to meet with the new US president.

Trump says it will take months to end war against Ukraine; Zelenskyy prepares to meet with the new US president. Advisors to future US President Donald Trump have acknowledged that it will take months to reach a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, not one day, as Trump promised during the election campai...

Half of Ukrainians consider NATO membership more important than EU membership; the country has a firm position on joining the Alliance.

Half of Ukrainians consider NATO membership more important than EU membership; the country has a firm position on joining the Alliance. More Ukrainians prioritize their country joining NATO (46%) than the EU (22%), according to three surveys conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) in 2024. NATO is a priority ...

New EU sanctions against Russia: Which sectors will be hit?

New EU sanctions against Russia: Which sectors will be hit? The EU may include a ban on aluminum imports in the 16th package of Russian sanctions, which will be adopted in February. The ban will be implemented in stages. The US and Britain have already banned ...

Wednesday, January 15

Rutte: EU countries should increase their defense spending or learn the Russian language.

Rutte: EU countries should increase their defense spending or learn the Russian language. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on European Alliance countries to increase their defense budgets. Otherwise, he noted, Europeans will have to “finish Russian language courses or go to N...

Trump will not force Ukraine to start talks with Russia prematurely.

Trump will not force Ukraine to start talks with Russia prematurely. Ukraine’s European allies have held a series of private talks with Donald Trump’s team, during which the partners justified the need to provide further support for Kyiv, and feel cautiously optimistic...

Ukraine seeks to maintain access to the EU market.

Ukraine seeks to maintain access to the EU market. The government is completing internal preparations for negotiations with the EU on signing an agreement on industrial visa-free travel. Ukraine also seeks to extend economic visa-free travel and conso...

Five EU countries have created a working group to develop joint defense enterprises with Ukraine.

Five EU countries have created a working group to develop joint defense enterprises with Ukraine. After a meeting with his colleagues from Poland, France, Italy, and Britain, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that European arms manufacturers will only benefit if they utilize free produ...

Scholz explains his position on Ukrainian aid, but Ukraine insists that Taurus missiles could change the war’s dynamics.

Scholz explains his position on Ukrainian aid, but Ukraine insists that Taurus missiles could change the war’s dynamics. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denied claims that he was blocking new assistance to Ukraine and added that the draft 2025 German budget provides €12B for Ukrainian aid. At the same time, Scholz stresse...

The US is asking Europe to seize $300B in frozen Russian assets to bring Putin to the negotiating table, but Europe opposes it.

The US is asking Europe to seize $300B in frozen Russian assets to bring Putin to the negotiating table, but Europe opposes it. Biden aides have tried to convince his European allies to support the transfer of frozen Russian assets to a new account that will only be released if a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is r...

Tuesday, January 14

Trump is ready to lift restrictions on the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine and continue sanctions in order to force Putin to negotiate.

Trump is ready to lift restrictions on the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine and continue sanctions in order to force Putin to negotiate. Future US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said that US President-elect Donald Trump is ready to lift restrictions on the supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine to force Putin to sit down at t...

Negotiation leverage: New oil sanctions will cause billions in monthly losses for Russia.

Negotiation leverage: New oil sanctions will cause billions in monthly losses for Russia. The White House stated that new restrictions imposed against Russia are “the most significant sanctions against its energy sector.” They will cost Russia billions of dollars every month, a...

Moscow’s secret war-financing scheme is on the verge of collapse as planned spending doubles.

Moscow’s secret war-financing scheme is on the verge of collapse as planned spending doubles. According to former Morgan Stanley and Bank of America financier Craig Kennedy, the Kremlin is using an additional war-financing scheme in the shadows through the use of preferential lending to defens...

Six European countries have called on the G7 to lower the Russian oil price ceiling.

Six European countries have called on the G7 to lower the Russian oil price ceiling. Six EU countries have called on the European Commission to lower the price ceiling for Russian oil that has been set by the G7 countries. Measures aimed at reducing oil export revenues are crucial bec...

Monday, January 13

Trump is preparing to meet with Putin, but first – a phone call.

Trump is preparing to meet with Putin, but first – a phone call. US President-elect Donald Trump said that a meeting with Putin is already being arranged, although the exact date has not yet been determined. The resumption of diplomatic dialogue between the US and ...

The White House says that Ukraine and Russia are not ready for negotiations.

The White House says that Ukraine and Russia are not ready for negotiations. The current US presidential administration does not currently see that Ukraine or Russia are ready for peace talks, said White House strategic communications coordinator John Kirby. The FT, citing sou...

The US has approximately $4B in unused military assistance that could have been sent to Ukraine; Norway allocates the most significant aid amount in its history.

The US has approximately $4B in unused military assistance that could have been sent to Ukraine; Norway allocates the most significant aid amount in its history. The Biden administration failed to use about $4B in aid for Ukraine that has been provided within various support packages. The next US president, Donald Trump, and his team will further manage these ...

The EU is confident that Trump will continue to support Ukraine but is wary of easing sanctions against Russia.

The EU is confident that Trump will continue to support Ukraine but is wary of easing sanctions against Russia. US President-elect Donald Trump has extended the timeline for the implementation of his campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine in a day to several months. According to EU allies, this is a signal ...

Ukraine received $41.7B in external financing last year; the government has voiced its expectations for 2025.

Ukraine received $41.7B in external financing last year; the government has voiced its expectations for 2025. “In total, $115B has been attracted from partners since the beginning of the war,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The EU, the US, Japan, the IMF, Canada, and the World Bank provided th...

Germany is preparing new large aid packages for Ukraine that will include air defense and tanks.

Germany is preparing new large aid packages for Ukraine that will include air defense and tanks. The German government plans to transfer new significant packages of military equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the first half of the year. The list of weapons that are planned to be provided...

NATO will not support Trump’s calls to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP and seeks compromise.

NATO will not support Trump’s calls to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP and seeks compromise. Trump recently said that NATO countries should spend 5% of their GDP on defense. No NATO country, including the US, has reached the 5% spending target. NATO officials agree with the need for further i...

Ukraine receives the first tranche of EU funds from frozen Russian assets.

Ukraine receives the first tranche of EU funds from frozen Russian assets. Ukraine received €3B from the EU as part of the ERA initiative, the first tranche of EU funds provided by revenue from frozen Russian assets. Ukraine will direct this to priority budget expenditures. ...

Friday, January 10

The Ramstein allies have approved eight Ukrainian roadmaps to provide support until 2027.

The Ramstein allies have approved eight Ukrainian roadmaps to provide support until 2027. During a Ramstein meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany with the participation of President Zelenskyy, leaders of the capability coalitions approved eight roadmaps of support for Ukr...

Ukraine and Denmark summed up the results of their cooperation under the Danish model: Ukraine’s Armed Forces have already received weapons worth €538M.

Ukraine and Denmark summed up the results of their cooperation under the Danish model: Ukraine’s Armed Forces have already received weapons worth €538M. In 2024, Ukraine and Denmark successfully implemented cooperation under the Danish model of financing in the Ukrainian defense industry. The primary sources of financing include: €125M from Denmark th...

If Ukraine loses the war, it will cost the US dearly.

If Ukraine loses the war, it will cost the US dearly. A Russian victory in the war would require a surge in Pentagon spending of more than $800B through 2029, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) reported. The ultimate success of President Putin’s war...

The US calls the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine one of Moscow’s biggest and most expensive defeats.

The US calls the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine one of Moscow’s biggest and most expensive defeats. Ukraine’s decision to stop transporting Russian gas through its territory was one of Moscow’s largest and costliest defeats, White House adviser John Kirby believes. According to him, Russ...

Thursday, January 9

Ramstein coalition leaders will approve reliable military support for Ukraine through 2027.

Ramstein coalition leaders will approve reliable military support for Ukraine through 2027. The 25th Ramstein-based Ukraine Defense Contact Group Summit on January 9 will focus primarily on supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities to ensure “credible deterrence forces” through 2...

China has banned Russia’s shadow fleet from entering major oil ports.

China has banned Russia’s shadow fleet from entering major oil ports. China’s largest port operator, Shandong Port Group, has banned tankers under US sanctions from entering ports in Shandong province, home to many independent refineries that are the largest oil i...

Wednesday, January 8

The Biden administration is preparing its final military aid package for Ukraine.

The Biden administration is preparing its final military aid package for Ukraine. The Biden administration will announce a massive, final weapons package for Ukraine on Thursday as part of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany to meet with representatives from about 50 ...

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