The President of Ukraine has concluded his visit to London, leaving Downing Street after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Great Britain. He is now heading to Brussels for talks with NATO and EU leaders.
The EU Council officially adopted the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) with a budget of 1. 5 billion euros. Of this amount, 300 million euros have been allocated to support the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex. The program aims to strengthen the EU's defense readiness and modernize the Ukrainian defense industry.
The EU has agreed to tighten migration rules, which include accelerating deportations and reducing social benefits for rejected asylum seekers. An annual Solidarity Fund of 420 million euros is also being created for 2026 to support member states most affected by migration pressure.
President of the European Council António Costa criticized the new US national security strategy, accusing Washington of trying to influence political processes in the EU. He emphasized the need to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities and its readiness to take on a leadership role in NATO.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in the United Kingdom. He will meet with the British Prime Minister, the leaders of France and Germany, and then fly to Belgium.
President Zelenskyy signed Law No. 8187, which improves defense resource management, taking into account the experience of NATO and EU countries. The government will form the management procedure, and the Ministry of Defense will determine accounting and reporting.
The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating criminal proceedings against a group of aviation companies associated with businessman Roman Mileshko, opened by the National Police in 2022. Investigators have repeatedly checked the facts indicated in the case file and found no confirmation, which indicates the custom nature of the persecution and attempts to pressure the business by competitors.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with his British, French, and German counterparts in London. This will be followed by a video call with EU and NATO leaders, and then a visit to Brussels for high-level meetings.
EU countries will have to allocate billions of euros to guarantee loans to Ukraine totaling up to 210 billion euros, with Germany providing support of up to 52 billion euros. The European Commission presented these figures after proposing a "reparation loan" for Ukraine of 165 billion euros from frozen Russian assets.
Brent crude futures rose to $63. 84 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude traded at $60.16. Investors are anticipating a Fed interest rate cut and monitoring geopolitical risks related to supplies from Russia and Venezuela.
British historian Timothy Garton Ash argues that only Europe can help Ukraine resist Russian aggression and US diplomatic betrayal. He emphasizes the need for military and economic support for Ukraine to change Putin's strategy.
Hungary and Slovakia will file a motion with the European Court of Justice to overturn the RePowerEU plan, which provides for a complete ban on imports of Russian gas and oil. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that this step is due to the threat to secure energy supply and rising prices.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Italy will send equipment for Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the coming days.
The Hungarian authorities do not support participation in financial assistance to Ukraine, thwarting the European "Plan B" to use frozen Russian assets. Budapest refused to join the issuance of joint Eurobonds, which increased tensions within the EU.
The European Commission lost access to its advertising account on the X social network after being fined 120 million euros for violating transparency rules. Company representative Nikita Bier stated that the account was blocked due to an attempt to exploit a vulnerability.
Musk once again distinguished himself with his incomprehensible behavior, publishing a rather strange image of the EU and Third Reich flags on his social media page.
The Swiss People's Party's plan to limit the population to 10 million people is supported by almost half of the country. The government warns that strict restrictions will harm the economy and welfare, as Swiss companies depend on foreign workers.
The Greek Coast Guard found the bodies of 17 migrants near the island of Crete, and two more people were rescued from a half-sunken boat. The disaster occurred amid Greece's intensified measures on migration.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recommended Elon Musk to go to Mars. This happened after Musk proposed the idea of dissolving the European Union, criticizing the EU for a fine of 120 million euros.
European Union leaders will discuss the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine at a summit on December 18. Belgium has a special position on this issue, and the US is trying to block EU plans to use these assets.
Elon Musk reacted to the European Commission's decision to fine the social network X, stating that the European Union should be "abolished. " He believes that sovereignty should be returned to individual countries.
Hungary blocked the decision to issue Eurobonds to finance Ukraine, which was an alternative to the "reparation loan. " Belgium also opposes it due to fears of lawsuits from Russia.
Hungary has officially refused to issue Eurobonds to support Ukraine. This complicates the search for alternative sources of financing for Kyiv if the EU cannot use frozen Russian assets.
The Trump administration has published a new national security strategy that focuses on an updated "Monroe Doctrine," criticizes immigration and Europe, and intensifies confrontation with China. The document blames mass migration for global problems and claims that Europe undermines peace in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted oil supplies. This happened during the annual summit in New Delhi, where the leaders reaffirmed the resilience of their ties to external pressure.
Tensions are rising within Italy's coalition regarding further financial and military aid to Ukraine in 2026. The League party has called for the return of frozen Russian assets, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister support aid.
The United States is demanding that Europe take on a greater share of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027, including intelligence and missiles. Some European officials consider this deadline unrealistic, as Europe needs time to build up its potential.
The European Commission has fined Elon Musk's X platform 120 million euros for transparency violations under the EU's Digital Services Act. This is the first fine imposed under the bloc's flagship content moderation law.
Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger said that a peace agreement in Ukraine will not change future demand for weapons, as Europe enters a prolonged period of rearmament. The company expects European and German defense spending to grow, aiming for 50 billion euros in sales by 2030.
The US is trying to block EU plans to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support a loan to Ukraine. Washington believes that these assets are necessary to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
