The administration of US President Donald Trump is forming a coalition to counter China's dominant control over critical minerals and technology sectors. On Friday, the Pax Silica declaration will be signed with the participation of Singapore, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Israel.
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has filed a lawsuit against the Belgian depositary Euroclear regarding frozen Russian assets. The lawsuit will be heard in the Moscow arbitration court, where the central bank accuses Euroclear of causing damage due to the inability to dispose of funds and securities.
Alexander Stubb stated that Americans and Europeans are looking for an еndspiel that will prove that Russia failed to achieve its strategic goals in the war in Ukraine. He named three key issues for a peace treaty: territory, security guarantees, and Ukraine's recovery.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he would not support the European Commission's proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets if the funds were to be used for military purposes. He sent a letter to the President of the European Council, António Costa, warning of a blockade of decisions regarding the financing of Ukraine's military needs for 2026-2027.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU is committed to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine that will not contain the seeds of future conflicts. During the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing," the need for reliable security guarantees and funding for Ukraine for 2026-2027 was also discussed.
Germany's Federal Fiscal Court did not allow the confiscation of the oil tanker Eventin, which belongs to Russia's "shadow fleet," due to doubts about the legal grounds. The vessel, carrying 100,000 tons of oil, has been stranded near Rügen, Germany, for a year after an accident.
Ambassadors of the European Union member states have voted to start the procedure for long-term freezing of Russian assets. This simplifies the process of holding frozen assets and is a step towards a potential loan for reparations.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka announced in Lviv an agreed action plan for Ukraine for the coming year. The plan envisages accelerating key reforms and aims to confirm the country's readiness for EU membership.
The European Union has made progress on the issue of a reparations loan for Ukraine. At the same time, changes have been agreed to preserve frozen Russian assets.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he no longer tries to understand Putin's motives. He emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, as Putin will not stop there.
Cyprus and Malta warn that strengthening sanctions against Russia should not harm the legitimate EU maritime sector. They oppose a complete ban on the provision of maritime services, fearing the relocation of business outside the EU.
The European Union has announced the approval of a new approach to Ukraine's accession talks, which provides for technical negotiations to advance the process. This decision was made following an informal meeting of the bloc's European affairs ministers in Lviv.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban fully supported the US criticism of the EU, calling it the most important document of recent years. He noted that Americans see Europe's economic dead end and civilizational crisis.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had a "constructive" conversation with US President Donald Trump, where they discussed Ukraine and a possible meeting in Berlin. Merz emphasized that Ukraine must decide on concessions, and also criticized Putin and supported the use of frozen Russian assets.
The European Union is developing strategies to persuade Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to support the allocation of 210 billion euros to Ukraine. If Belgium continues to block the plan, it may be ignored at the EU level, similar to Hungary.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever does not rule out legal action if the EU decides to seize Russian assets in Euroclear, emphasizing that the risks cannot be borne solely by Belgium. He considers confiscation a radical and ill-considered step, proposing other options for financing aid to Ukraine.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin stated that drones spotted near Dublin after Zelenskyy's arrival did not pose a threat to his plane. However, the incident is of great concern, as it could be part of Russia's hybrid campaign.
The Royal United Services Institute believes that Great Britain does not have a plan for waging a war that would last more than a few weeks. At the same time, European factories would need several years to reach the level of mass production of weapons in Russia.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the preparation of a new package of sanctions against Russian tankers, which will be presented in December. He also noted that Europe is preparing additional restrictions against the entire infrastructure for transporting Russian oil.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed that another meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" will take place on December 11 to address issues related to peace in Ukraine.
Thousands of Bulgarians have once again taken to the streets to protest against the minority government, accusing it of failing to tackle corruption. The demonstrations continue amid preparations for the introduction of the euro and an upcoming no-confidence vote.
Chipmaker Intel has lost its appeal against a European Union antitrust decision. However, the court reduced the fine imposed on the company two years ago by a third, cutting it by 140 million euros.
The vessel, flying the flag of the Comoros, was moving in Ukraine's exclusive economic zone towards the Novorossiysk port terminal. It was traveling at maximum speed with its transponder turned off.
YouTube TV plans to launch over 10 new themed subscription plans in early 2026, including a sports package. It will provide access to major broadcasters and sports networks, as well as NFL Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone options.
On December 8, 2025, an All-Ukrainian scientific and practical conference was held, dedicated to the presentation of the "Scientific Concept for the Development of Ukrainian Legislation. " This strategic document, developed by over 90 leading legal scholars, is intended to become the basis for improving and modernizing Ukrainian legislation in the context of European integration and transformational processes.
Andrius Kubilius, the EU's chief representative for defense, criticized the new US National Security Strategy, calling it antagonistic to the European Union. He claims that the document is aimed at preventing Europe from uniting into a single force.
ECB President Christine Lagarde stated that the new EU proposal on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine is the most compliant with international law. EU leaders are discussing the involvement of 210 billion euros of Russian sovereign assets frozen in Europe.
The European Union has agreed on new sanctions against Russia, aimed at countering the destabilization of the EU and combating Russia's "shadow fleet. " The list includes 43 vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet."
Donald Trump is forcing EU leaders to confront a future in which America is no longer their primary security guarantor. Europe must organize its own defense much faster than anyone could have imagined.
Polish state-owned defense company PGZ plans to increase exports of military equipment tested in Ukraine and dual-use products. The company aims to increase the share of exports and dual-use products to one-third of its revenue.
