NATO
The President of Ukraine presented a seven-point plan for peace to the European Council. The plan includes joining NATO, EU membership, strengthening sanctions and using frozen Russian assets.
Slovakia's Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak called it “unthinkable” to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP. The country plans to remain at 2% of GDP, despite NATO's calls for increased spending due to the threat from Russia.
The Danish Ministry of Defense has announced the 23rd package of military assistance to Ukraine worth DKK 2. 1 billion. The funds will be used to strengthen air defense, support F-16s, and purchase CV90 infantry fighting vehicles in cooperation with Sweden.
The British Ministry of Defense is considering sending military instructors to Ukraine. The UK will also provide an additional 225 million pounds of military aid for drones, ammunition, and air defense.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson does not rule out the deployment of Swedish troops in Ukraine and joint exercises. Sweden has already provided Ukraine with $4.4 billion in military aid.
The British Ministry of Defense has calculated the necessary level of military spending at 3. 6% of GDP to modernize the army. This means an increase in the annual budget to 93 billion pounds.
The EU's top diplomat called for an end to pressure on Zelenskyy regarding negotiations with Russia and for real security guarantees. Kallas emphasized that supporting Ukraine is now cheaper than the consequences of a possible Russian victory.
The President of Ukraine reports positive developments in the discussion of the deployment of a peacekeeping contingent with Macron. European countries are considering sending up to 100,000 troops after the ceasefire.
The President of Ukraine met with the NATO Secretary General in Brussels to discuss strengthening air defense. They discussed the delivery of 19 critical infrastructure protection systems and economic support for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expects to deliver 19 air defense systems to Ukraine to protect critical infrastructure.
The President of Ukraine and the NATO Secretary General will hold talks on strengthening Ukraine's security and economy. In addition, the President of Ukraine noted that he had already met with French President Macron.
NATO's new command for the coordination of Western military assistance to Ukraine has started work in Wiesbaden. The NSATU structure takes over the functions of the Ramstein group for the military implementation of the decisions taken.
The President of Ukraine will hold a series of important meetings with European leaders in Brussels. Talks are scheduled with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and other countries, as well as the EU and NATO leaders.
The presidents of France and Ukraine will meet one-on-one in Brussels on the margins of the EU and Western Balkans summit. Macron may miss an important NATO meeting on Ukraine because of a trip to Mayotte.
European countries are discussing the possibility of deploying up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace agreement. France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom could form the basis of a coalition.
Australia has provided Ukraine with 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats as part of its military assistance. The total amount of support from Australia exceeded $1 billion, of which $880 million was military aid.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on the Western world to strengthen support for Ukraine and stop speculation about its possible defeat. He emphasized that a just peace is possible only if the entire Western world joins forces.
Donald Tusk announced maximum support for Ukraine during Poland's EU presidency from January 2024. According to him, if it were up to Poland, the accession process would take one day.
Germany's defense minister has announced the country's possible participation in securing a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Specific details of the peacekeeping mission have not yet been discussed due to the absence of cease-fire talks.
Donald Tusk announced the 46th package of military aid to Ukraine worth €100 million in January. Zelenskyy and Tusk discussed the situation at the front and coordination with partners during their meeting in Lviv.
NATO has officially accepted the coordination of Western military assistance to Ukraine from the United States through the new NSATU mission in Wiesbaden. The mission will include 700 personnel with bases in Belgium, Poland and Romania.
Prime Minister Maloni will meet with Zelenskyy and other leaders before the European Council to coordinate further actions.
Resistance to Ukraine's actions to liberate the peninsula is growing in occupied Crimea. Ukraine is considering a political and diplomatic way of de-occupation due to a lack of military capabilities.
Zelensky said that 12-15 additional air defense systems are needed to fully protect the country.
The German Defense Minister announced a possible role for the country in ensuring a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The specific details of participation will depend on the terms of the ceasefire and the mandate of the peacekeeping force.
The NYT explains Putin's silence on Russia's military presence in Syria and the possible fall of the Assad regime. Russia is fully focused on the war in Ukraine, believing it is winning on the battlefield.
In early 2025, Ukraine expects to open additional negotiation clusters on EU accession. The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on European integration laws and forming 35 negotiating groups.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov made yet another threat at the board of the Russian Defense Ministry.
Of the promised €241 billion in aid to Ukraine, Europe has actually provided only €125 billion. The difference of €64 billion remains a debt, not counting the recently promised €52 billion.
The President of Ukraine will attend a meeting of the European Commission in Brussels to consider the EU's strategic vision for the next 5 years. The meeting will discuss the priorities of European integration and the role of the EU in a peaceful Europe.