International Relations
Rutte: US remains a reliable partner for NATO, no need for EU autonomous defence
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the United States remains fully committed to the Alliance and that the idea of a fully independent EU defence is unnecessary. He emphasised the growth of defence spending and the role of non-EU allies
Zelensky's talks with Trump in Florida postponed to 20.00 Kyiv time
The meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump in Palm Beach will take place on 28 December at 20:00 Kyiv time. It was previously scheduled for 22:00. The Ukrainian delegation has arrived in the US and the composition of the negotiating teams has been announced
DPRK unveils finished hull of nuclear submarine and escalates rhetoric against the US and South Korea
North Korea demonstrated the welded hull of a nuclear submarine, claiming progress in building a strategic fleet. Pyongyang also criticised the visit of a US nuclear submarine to South Korea and reported testing a new air defence missile.
Zelensky in Canada: Ottawa allocates additional $2.5bn in aid to Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in Canada to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa announces $2.5 billion in additional economic aid to Ukraine and confirms continued military support
Ukraine and Germany scale up production of Lens UAV for tactical reconnaissance and strike missions
Ukraine's Frontline Robotics and Germany's Quantum Systems are expanding production of the Lens drone, capable of carrying up to 2 kg of load over a distance of up to 10 km and performing reconnaissance, strike and mine action, as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative
Zelenskyy: Russia's massive strikes are a response to peace initiatives, Ukraine needs more support from partners
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian attacks demonstrate the Kremlin's unwillingness to make peace. Ukraine is ready for compromises within the 20-point plan, needs to strengthen its air defence and counts on $700-800 billion for post-war reconstruction with the participation of the United States
US strikes ISIS positions in Nigeria at Abuja's request
The United States carried out targeted air strikes against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria at the request of local authorities. Washington announced the destruction of terrorists and stressed the protection of civilians, including Christians
Trump says that without his approval, Zelenskyy's peace plan will not be implemented
On the eve of his meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, Donald Trump said that any peace plan regarding Russia's war against Ukraine is possible only after his approval. Negotiations will focus on security guarantees, territories and the nuclear power plant
Zelenskyy outlines key topics of talks with Trump in Florida
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to meet with Donald Trump in Florida and says talks will focus on ending the war, security guarantees, an economic agreement, and sensitive election and territorial issues
China imposes sanctions on US defence companies over arms sales to Taiwan
Beijing has announced sanctions against 20 US defence companies and 10 executives in response to a military aid package to Taiwan worth up to $11 billion. The restrictions have a political rather than a practical effect
Latvia officially withdraws from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines
Latvia's decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention came into force on 27 December. The country gained the right to use, purchase and produce anti-personnel mines amid changes in the security situation in the Baltic region
Thailand and Cambodia agree new truce after 20 days of fighting on the border
Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement that came into force on 27 December. According to Reuters, at least 101 people have been killed in 20 days of fighting, and more than half a million have been displaced.
