Russia
🇷🇴 U.S. State Department emphasizes that Romanians must trust their elections are free from foreign malign influence. This statement follows Romania’s top court annulling a presidential election amid allegations of Russian meddling.
🇺🇦 A Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih has killed 2 and injured at least 13, damaging an administrative building, according to the regional governor.
🇷🇺 Lavrov signals Russia’s readiness to use any means in Ukraine conflict, including hypersonic missiles, asserting no “strategic defeat” will be tolerated by Moscow.
🇷🇺 A senior Russian official states work on the BRICS payment system will proceed despite President-elect Trump’s threat of 100% import duties on countries undermining the dollar.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian mayor Yevhen Matvieiev has been laid to rest after dying in Russian captivity. He chose to remain in Dniprorudne during the February 2022 invasion instead of fleeing.
🇷🇺 Russia closes Poland’s consulate general in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Poland’s closure of the Russian consulate in Poznan.
🇫🇮 A Russian man is on trial in Finland for war crimes committed while leading a far-right paramilitary unit in eastern Ukraine a decade ago.
🇨🇾 Cyprus receives an Israeli air defence system, according to local media. The move comes as the island seeks to enhance its defence capabilities following the loss of Russia as a key supplier.
🇺🇸 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to confront each other over the war in Ukraine at the OSCE meeting in Malta on Thursday.
🇺🇸 Air Force General C.Q. Brown spoke by phone with Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov last week, marking the first communication between the two military leaders amid ongoing tensions.
🇺🇦 Ukrainian delegation meets with senior Trump advisers as Ukraine seeks support in its fight against Russian invaders.
🇰🇵 North Korea-Russia “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty” officially comes into force following the exchange of ratification instruments in Moscow.
🇷🇴 Romania’s security council reveals the country faced “aggressive hybrid Russian attacks” during consecutive elections, according to newly declassified documents.
🇺🇦 Antony Blinken states Ukraine must recruit younger people into the military to effectively combat Russia in the ongoing conflict.
🇳🇱 NATO’s Mark Rutte criticizes arms firms for producing too little, charging too much, and delivering too slowly amid efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen defenses against Russia.
🇺🇦 A top Ukrainian official visits the US to discuss support with Trump’s team. Trump has promised to end Russia’s war in Ukraine upon taking office.
🇷🇺 Russia strongly backs Syrian leadership against terrorist groups, claiming they receive external support, including drones and training.
🇷🇺 Russia expresses concern over the situation in South Korea following the president’s brief declaration of martial law. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova assures there are no threats to Russian citizens in the country.
🇷🇺 Russia states there are no grounds for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Comments on peace talks have increased since Donald Trump’s election victory in November.
🇺🇦 Zelenskiy calls for reinforcement of the eastern front as Russian forces advance rapidly, marking the fastest progress since the early days of the February 2022 invasion.