Oil prices rose after the US tightened its naval blockade of Venezuela and Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian tanker. Brent rose to $61, WTI to $57.
Silver prices surged to a record $67. 55 per ounce, marking its largest annual gain since 1979. Gold neared its peak, hovering around $4363, driven by geopolitical chaos and expectations of Fed rate cuts.
Moscow believes that Ukraine's and Europe's amendments to the American proposals for ending the war worsen the document. Putin's advisor, Yuri Ushakov, stated that Russia does not see any chances for achieving stable peace in these changes.
Residents of the Kursk region appealed to Putin due to the cancellation of payments and the lack of housing certificates. Thousands of families remain homeless, and their lives have turned into hell.
The Russian "shadow fleet" tanker, which was attacked by drones on December 18, is slowly sinking. New photos that have appeared online show the vessel partially submerged.
Senator Graham suggested that Donald Trump forcibly seize vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" if Moscow refuses peace talks on Ukraine. He also proposed imposing "crippling" tariffs on countries that finance the Russian war machine.
200 combat engagements, over 2,500 shellings, and 1,779 kamikaze drones were recorded in 24 hours. The highest intensity of attacks was in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy stormed the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 47 times.
Rustem Umerov reported on the results of negotiations in Florida with Donald Trump's special envoys and representatives of the White House. The parties agreed on a 20-point plan, multilateral and bilateral security guarantee agreements, and an economic development plan.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a program to create a new generation aircraft carrier (PANG), which is to replace the Charles de Gaulle in 2038. The project, worth 10 billion euros, will be implemented by Naval Group SA, involving hundreds of enterprises, despite financial uncertainty in the country.
Starmer held talks with Trump in Florida on finding ways for a "just and lasting end" to the war in Ukraine. A key topic of discussion was the work of the "Coalition of the Willing" and its readiness to facilitate a peace agreement.
The Ukrainian negotiating team in Florida is meticulously working on documents concerning the end of the war, security guarantees, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. Possible timelines for solutions are also being discussed with representatives of US President Donald Trump.
President Zelenskyy stated that the allocation of a 90 billion euro interest-free loan to Ukraine for two years is a real financial security guarantee. The funds will be disbursed at 45 billion euros annually for two years and will be repaid from Russian assets.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine will redirect up to 1 GW of electricity for the needs of the population by December 24. This will reduce the number of outages, balancing the energy system.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia is no different from ISIS terrorists after the forced removal of 50 civilians from Hrabovske in Sumy region to the Russian Federation. Ukraine demands the return of all civilian hostages and calls on the international community to join the demand for their release.
In the French city of Puteaux, a man and a woman died after their car drove into the Seine River. The prosecutor's office is investigating the circumstances of the tragedy that occurred overnight.
On December 22, hourly power outage schedules will be in effect for household consumers in most regions of Ukraine, and power restrictions for industrial consumers. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy facilities.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov announced the continuation of negotiations with US representatives in Miami. The Ukrainian delegation expects further progress and practical results.
A drone, approximately two meters wide and equipped with a parachute, was found in a forest near the Romanian commune of Lerești. Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of its appearance and origin.
Senior Police Lieutenant Iryna Baida and her husband died in their home in Izium as a result of enemy shelling. The deceased patrol police officer is survived by her 15-year-old son.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands fair punishment for those responsible for xenophobic acts against Ukrainians in Poland. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine raised this issue during negotiations with his Polish counterpart.
Some European countries have expressed readiness to send troops to Ukraine to maintain peace and in case Russia violates a peace agreement. The details of such deployment are currently being coordinated, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
France agreed to the Kremlin's proposal regarding Putin's readiness to talk with Macron. The Élysée Palace announced that the conditions for possible negotiations would be determined in the coming days.
Since the beginning of the day, 93 combat engagements have taken place at the front, with the enemy being most active in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions. In the Siversk-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, one enemy attack occurred, and the enemy carried out 49 shellings, four of which were from MLRS.
Swedish customs officers detained the Russian cargo ship Adler, whose owner exports weapons to Russia. The vessel anchored on December 20 due to an engine malfunction, and on December 21, an inspection of the cargo began. M Leasing LLC, the company that owns Adler, is under US and EU sanctions for transporting North Korean ammunition to the Russian Federation.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the reason for the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian war is Vladimir Putin, who is ready to sacrifice 1. 1 million Russians. He also noted that Donald Trump is the only one who can force Putin to sit down at the negotiating table.
The American Bombardier ARTEMIS II electronic reconnaissance aircraft is operating over the Black Sea. It is capable of detecting the operation of Russian radar stations and occupied territories of Ukraine at a distance of up to 600 km.
Portugal will allocate 25 million euros annually for five years to purchase Ukrainian defense products as part of the SAFE initiative. The Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Portugal discussed further cooperation and Ukraine's critical needs.
Fighting continues in the village of Hrabovske, Sumy region. Ukrainian troops are pushing the occupiers back into Russian territory, while there are no Russians in the neighboring village of Riasne. Russian troops forcibly removed 50 Ukrainians from Sumy region, the Human Rights Commissioner demands information about their whereabouts.
The 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade of the Air Assault Forces published a video of battles in Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian soldiers repelled a massive attack by Russian FPV drones. Despite almost 20 attack UAVs in two minutes, there were no casualties among personnel.
International passenger and cargo carriers can cross the border with Moldova and Romania through checkpoints in Odesa region. Access is via the M-15 highway ("Odesa – Reni"), but due to the limited capacity of the road, additional time should be factored in.
