Politics

Thursday, December 19

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...

Tuesday, December 10

A German chancellor candidate and the Estonian Prime Minister arrive in Kyiv; Merz supports providing the Taurus to Ukraine.

A German chancellor candidate and the Estonian Prime Minister arrive in Kyiv; Merz supports providing the Taurus to Ukraine. The German chancellor candidate from the CDU/CSU, Friedrich Merz, said during a meeting with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv that he supports the provision of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The pr...

Details from the meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Macron: The leaders discussed freezing the war and how to end it.

Details from the meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Macron: The leaders discussed freezing the war and how to end it. During the meeting between President Zelenskyy, his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, and US President-Elect Donald Trump, the leaders discussed freezing the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Ukrainian pre...

Ukraine might receive less aid from the US after Trump’s inauguration, but Russia is also running out of money.

Ukraine might receive less aid from the US after Trump’s inauguration, but Russia is also running out of money. US President-Elect Donald Trump said that he will try to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine will probably receive less aid after he takes office. Meanwhile, Russia may l...

Ukraine has approved the terms to receive a 40-year $20B loan secured by frozen Russian assets.

Ukraine has approved the terms to receive a 40-year $20B loan secured by frozen Russian assets. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the terms of receiving a 40-year loan of up to $20B from the American Federal Financing Bank (FFB). This is part of the previously agreed upon G7 initiative to pr...

The fall of the Assad regime might weaken Putin’s position during peace negotiations with Ukraine.

The fall of the Assad regime might weaken Putin’s position during peace negotiations with Ukraine. The Kremlin has actively supported Assad since 2015, when Russian troops intervened in the Syrian civil war, providing him with military and political assistance. Therefore, the rapid fall of the Assa...

The EU defense commissioner wants to increase EU defense spending by 900%.

The EU defense commissioner wants to increase EU defense spending by 900%. EU defense and space commissioner Andrius Kubilius wants the next seven-year EU budget to include around €100B for defense needs. The current seven-year EU budget, which exceeds €1T, only includes €10...

Monday, December 9

Zelenskyy meets Trump in Paris: The next US leader says Ukraine is ready for a deal, but the Ukrainian leader demands peace guarantees.

Zelenskyy meets Trump in Paris: The next US leader says Ukraine is ready for a deal, but the Ukrainian leader demands peace guarantees. French President Emmanuel Macron persuaded US President-Elect Donald Trump to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart in Paris, where world leaders have gathered to reopen Notre Dame Cathedral. After the ...

The US has promised to “flood” Ukraine with weapons by mid-January and will provide a $988M military package.

The US has promised to “flood” Ukraine with weapons by mid-January and will provide a $988M military package. The US will provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of additional artillery shells, thousands of missiles, and hundreds of armored vehicles by mid-January, stated the US President’s National ...

Zelensky will discuss the situation in Ukraine with the EC.

Zelensky will discuss the situation in Ukraine with the EC. An EU summit, the first under Antonio Costa’s European Council presidency, will be held on December 19. “The situation in Ukraine will be at the center of our discussions. We must stay wit...

EU ambassadors can’t reach an agreement on the 15th package of Russian sanctions because of Lithuania and Latvia.

EU ambassadors can’t reach an agreement on the 15th package of Russian sanctions because of Lithuania and Latvia. Representatives of EU countries were not able to approve the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at its elusive shadow fleet. According to EU diplomats, Lithuania and Latvia blocked the ad...

Sweden and Denmark have ordered 40 infantry fighting vehicles, Estonia will test its latest anti-aircraft missiles, and the second batch of Danish F-16s has arrived in Ukraine.

Sweden and Denmark have ordered 40 infantry fighting vehicles, Estonia will test its latest anti-aircraft missiles, and the second batch of Danish F-16s has arrived in Ukraine. Denmark and Sweden have jointly ordered and paid for 40 CV 90 infantry fighting vehicles from the manufacturer, Hägglunds, for a total of SEK 25B (€2.1B). The Estonian defense company Frankenburg Tech...

Friday, December 6

Trump is mulling three options for peace in Ukraine and none involve NATO membership.

Trump is mulling three options for peace in Ukraine and none involve NATO membership. US President-Elect Donald Trump has three main proposals for ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, none of which involve Ukraine joining NATO: a plan by Special Representative for Ukraine and Rus...

Ukraine’s partial NATO accession is technically possible; the question is the political will of Ukraine’s allies.

Ukraine’s partial NATO accession is technically possible; the question is the political will of Ukraine’s allies. Technically, the accession of part of Ukraine to NATO is possible and would have precedent, following the examples of Germany before its unification and certain islands co-owned by France and the UK t...

How did the Ukrainian delegation’s meeting with Trump’s team in Washington go?

How did the Ukrainian delegation’s meeting with Trump’s team in Washington go? Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met in Washington with Donald Trump’s special representative for the Russian-Ukrainian war, Keith Kellogg, National Security Advisor ...

NATO is discussing scenarios for ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations.

NATO is discussing scenarios for ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations. The governments of some NATO member states are talking about different scenarios that include security guarantees for Ukraine but also seek to avoid provoking Russian President Putin. According to sou...

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received $105.9B in financial assistance.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received $105.9B in financial assistance. The budget needs for this year have been covered, the Finance Committee of Parliament reported. The EU was the largest donor with $40.54B, the US came in second with $29.78B, and the IMF also provided...

The EU is ready to fill in for the US if it withdraws from its $50B G7 loan agreement.

The EU is ready to fill in for the US if it withdraws from its $50B G7 loan agreement. The European Union is prepared to financially compensate for the potential loss of the US’ contribution in the G7 agreement to provide Ukraine with a $50B loan. Politico quotes Polish Deputy Fin...

Europe rushes to create a €500B defense fund as Trump nears his return to the White House.

Europe rushes to create a €500B defense fund as Trump nears his return to the White House. EU countries are discussing a €500B joint fund for defense projects and arms purchases. US President-Elect Trump’s threat to scrap security guarantees for NATO allies that underspend on defense and su...

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