War in Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that "almost all" of Belgium's concerns regarding a "reparation loan" for Ukraine have been addressed. This concerns the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's needs.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that it was premature for the country to participate in the NATO program for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine due to peace talks. This indicates a change in the strategy of Giorgia Meloni's government regarding Ukraine.
The European Union proposes to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs, amounting to 90 billion euros, over the next two years. This will be done through EU borrowing or a reparations loan from frozen Russian assets.
Insurance for vessels heading to Black Sea ports has more than tripled after a series of Ukrainian attacks on Moscow-linked maritime targets. According to the broker Marsh, the cost of coverage for visiting Russian ports has increased by more than 250%.
Hungary and Slovakia will appeal to the EU's highest court to challenge the agreement to phase out Russian gas by September next year. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the new restrictions are unacceptable, as Hungary cannot ensure energy supply without Russian sources.
Since May 2025, Naftogaz has imported 4. 4 billion cubic meters of gas and plans to reach 5 billion cubic meters by the end of the year. In December, daily import volumes increased by 25%, reaching 26 million cubic meters.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported an explosion in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city. According to preliminary information, two people were injured as a result of the enemy attack.
The European Commission presented two solutions for financing Ukraine in 2026-2027: EU borrowing and a "reparations loan. "
The Chinese Foreign Ministry believes that using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine would not contribute to peace negotiations. Beijing opposes unilateral sanctions that violate international law.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces maintain control over part of the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. This information was confirmed by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation.
The Saeima of Latvia has adopted amendments to the law on supporting citizens of Ukraine, reducing funding and revising the set of services. The changes will affect one-time employment benefits, travel benefits, and medical services.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU pays Russia 1. 5 billion euros monthly for fossil fuels. She emphasized that this amount has significantly decreased since the beginning of the war, but is still too high.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the peace process regarding Russia's war against Ukraine must continue. He named two ways to pressure the Russians if negotiations drag on or yield no results.
ASTRA is aware of at least 132 aerial bombs (125 FABs and 7 UMPBs) and three missiles that have fallen from Russian planes in Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine since the beginning of 2025.
The volume of private money transfers from Ukrainians working abroad decreased by 7. 1% in October, amounting to $0.7 billion. In total, for January-October 2025, the amount of transfers decreased by 12.1% to $7.0 billion.
Norway, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Canada announced funding for support packages for American weapons for Ukraine totaling over a billion dollars. Canada and Great Britain are also providing additional practical assistance.
Festive retro steam trains will depart on St. Nicholas weekend — December 5, 6, 7. They will run in Kyiv and Lviv.
Statements by the Russian occupiers about full control of both banks of the Oskil River in Kupyansk do not correspond to reality. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have improved their tactical position in the city, and individual Russian groups remain only in the northern districts.
The Russian General Staff's report of a breakthrough in Lyman is a lie. Ukrainian troops repel up to 40 assaults daily, preventing the occupiers from entering the city.
The paramedic of a Russian colony, known as "Doctor Evil", has been notified of suspicion for cruel treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. He tortured them with electric current and beat them, causing physical pain and moral suffering.
Ukraine's foreign partners have coordinated further steps to restore the New Safe Confinement Arch over the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is considering mechanisms to attract new donors.
In the 11 months of 2025, 24,261 couples used the "Online Marriage" service from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Digital Civil Registry Offices in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Lviv provide quick and remote marriage registration, including for military personnel through a simplified procedure.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte refused to comment on Putin's threats of war against Europe. He noted that Putin was in military uniform far from the front.
A large-scale scheme for reselling cars imported from the EU as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been exposed in the Lviv region. The organizer from Cherkasy region and his accomplices used the details of charitable foundations to avoid customs payments, selling cars for cash or dismantling them for spare parts.
The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Budget voted the State Budget for 2026 for the second reading. Proposed changes include an increase in the personal income tax percentage for local budgets and additional funds for arms procurement.
Rustem Umerov and Andriy Hnatov will hold meetings with national security advisors to European leaders in Brussels. They will inform about US contacts in Moscow and discuss the security architecture.
On the first night of winter, an explosion occurred on a section of the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia. The attack was carried out near the settlement of Kazinskiye Vyselki, on the Taganrog-Lipetsk oil pipeline section.
Ukrainian businesses are experiencing significant pressure due to the war.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, reported on the failure of Russian attempts to occupy Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia direction. He noted that the Russians are unable to break through the front, despite heavy fighting.
Peskov stated that the wording about Putin's rejection of the US peace plan is incorrect, as a direct exchange of views took place for the first time. The Kremlin will adhere to the principle of silence for the productivity of negotiations.