Ukraine
🇺🇦 President Zelenskiy emphasizes the need for diplomatic solutions to reclaim occupied territories, stating actions can only be taken when Ukraine is strong enough. He also noted that Trump’s team is reviewing Ukraine’s “victory plan” for further discussions.
🇩🇪 Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kyiv, pledges Germany’s continued support for Ukraine. He announced military aid worth 650 million euros to be delivered this month.
🇩🇪 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accuses China of supplying weapons to Russia for its war against Ukraine, claiming it threatens peace in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
🇺🇸 White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the US will not return nuclear weapons to Ukraine, confirming that the option is not under consideration.
🇷🇺 Russia claims control over two settlements, Illinka and Petrivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
🇺🇦 EU officials Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas visit Kyiv to express support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s state aviation service reports that its 20 civilian airports have suffered significant damage due to the war. The country is exploring ways to partially open its airspace.
🇰🇵 North Korea’s Kim Jong Un tells Russia’s defense minister that Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons stems from U.S. military intervention. He asserts that Russia has the right to defend itself.
🇫🇷 President Macron reaffirms France’s support for Ukraine in a call with President Zelenskiy, condemning Russia’s escalation of attacks against the country.
🇺🇦 President Zelenskiy appoints Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new commander of Ukraine’s land forces amid increasing Russian gains and manpower shortages in Kyiv’s troops.
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announces plans to strengthen troops on the eastern front with reserves, ammunition, and equipment after visiting key sites in the Donetsk region.
🇬🇧 UK’s foreign spy chief accuses Russia of waging a “staggeringly reckless campaign” of sabotage in Europe while increasing nuclear threats to deter support for Ukraine.
🇺🇦 President Zelenskiy signs into law Ukraine’s first wartime tax hikes as the conflict with Russia enters its 34th month.
🇷🇺 Putin warns that Russia would use all available weapons against Ukraine if Kyiv acquires nuclear arms.
🇺🇦 Ukraine is set to host a second global summit aimed at ending Russia’s invasion soon, according to Andriy Yermak, the president’s chief of staff. Local media reports indicate preparations are underway for the event.
🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia and Ukraine agree to return nine children to their families in a humanitarian exchange facilitated by Qatar. This marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to reunite families amid the conflict.
🇷🇺 A Russian court sentenced a defence lawyer, known for representing critics of the Ukraine war, to seven years in prison for spreading false information about the army and inciting hatred.
🇺🇦 Explosions reported in Odesa, Kropyvnytskyi, Kharkiv, Rivne, and Lutsk as Russia launches cruise missile attacks across Ukraine. Multiple cities affected by the strikes early Thursday morning.
🇷🇺 Russia’s Defence Ministry reports that its forces have taken control of the settlement of Nova Illinka, located near the town of Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
🇺🇦 Biden administration prepares $725 million weapons package for Ukraine, aimed at supporting the Kyiv government ahead of the president’s departure in January.