Politics
France is hiding €18 billion in frozen Russian assets, calling into question reparations loan for Ukraine
France has the second-largest pool of frozen Russian assets after Belgium, but refuses to name the recipient banks. This complicates the European Commission's plans for a “reparations loan” to Ukraine.
Stefanchuk signed the law on the state budget for 2026
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, signed the law on the state budget for 2026. The document focuses on defense, social payments, and economic support.
Hungary and Slovakia will challenge the EU's decision to ban imports of Russian oil and gas
Budapest and Bratislava are preparing an appeal to the European Court of Justice to overturn the regulation banning imports of Russian energy resources. They believe that this threatens energy security and violates EU rules.
Despite US sanctions, Russia sent its first shipment of LNG to China from the Baltic plant
The Russian liquefied natural gas plant Portovaya sent its first LNG tanker to China after US sanctions were imposed — Moscow is testing workarounds and expanding cooperation with Beijing.
Thailand resumes air strikes on Cambodia — a new wave of border conflict
Following the death of a Thai soldier, Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on the disputed border on December 8. The sides are once again accusing each other, and thousands of civilians are fleeing.
London prepares coordinated position of Europe and Ukraine on peace
Today, December 8, Zelenskyy will meet with Macron, Starmer, and Merz in London. The goal is to develop a joint European-Ukrainian position for peace negotiations and coordinate it with the US.
Italy to send generators to Ukraine — Giorgia Meloni expresses solidarity
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that additional generators would be sent to Ukraine to support the power grid; Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked her for the prompt assistance and consistent support.
The African Corps is suspected of mass civilian casualties in Mali: witnesses report beheadings, rapes and murders
Refugees from Mali accuse the new Russian military formation, the African Corps, of atrocities against civilians, ranging from burning villages to torture and mass executions.
Igor Terekhov awarded the Order of Courage
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov the Order of Courage, Second Class, for his personal involvement in rebuilding the city after attacks by the Russian Federation.
Madjar responded to Russia's announcement of an international search for him
Commander of Unmanned Systems Forces Robert Brovdi (Madjar) commented on Russia's attempt to declare him wanted for ‘terrorism,’ warned the Russians of the consequences, and reminded them of the inevitability of fate.
The government has begun making the first payments of 6,500 hryvnia as part of the Winter Support programme
On 6 December, the first wave of payments of 6,500 hryvnia began for the most vulnerable Ukrainians—the aid is intended for clothing, medicine, and footwear and will go to thousands of families, children, and pensioners.
The EС has been stripped of its account on X after being fined €120 million
The social network X was fined €120 million by the EC for violating transparency requirements and false verification, after which its advertising account was blocked — making the European Commission's advertising campaigns impossible.
