Canada is calling on NATO for a more systemic approach to Arctic security amid geopolitical changes. Foreign Minister Anita Anand will raise the issue at a meeting of NATO ministers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in the Irish parliament, calling for continued pressure on Russia. After the speech, the Irish parliament gave the President of Ukraine a standing ovation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified territories, frozen assets, and security guarantees as the most sensitive topics of the peace plan. He emphasized that he cannot unilaterally decide on the issue of frozen funds in the EU.
The US has denied Serbia a license to operate the Russian-owned NIS refinery in Pančevo, blocking crude oil supplies. This jeopardizes the stability of the country's fuel market and leads to daily losses of 370,000 euros.
The profits of the Russian oil giant Rosneft collapsed by almost 70% due to sanctions. The CPD reports a crisis in Russia's energy sector.
Exxon Mobil is in talks with Iraq to acquire Lukoil's controlling stake in the West Qurna-2 field. This field accounts for 9% of Iraq's oil production, and potential buyers can negotiate until December 13.
The European defense sector grew by 13. 8% in 2024, reaching a turnover of €183.4 billion. This growth is a result of increased defense budgets following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia and Vietnam have organized a scheme to circumvent the price cap on Russian oil, which involves joint oil and gas production. The agreements allow for the export of Russian oil under the guise of Vietnamese oil and set a minimum sale price for oil of no less than $75 per barrel.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a detailed report from the Ukrainian delegation after peace talks in the US, where the American side's priorities were discussed. He instructed to continue constructive work with President Trump's team and European partners.
US officials intend to return Russian assets after a peace treaty is concluded. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes using them to support Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron will make his fourth state visit to China this week. Europe is seeking to strike a balance between economic and security threats from Beijing and its dependence on the world's second-largest economy.
The European Central Bank has rejected participation in the European Commission's proposal to use frozen Russian assets. This complicates the attraction of a loan secured by the immobilized assets of the Russian central bank.
In November, Turkey reduced imports of Russian Urals crude oil by 100,000 barrels per day, to approximately 200,000 barrels per day. This comes amid tightening Western sanctions and the transition of Turkish refineries to alternative grades such as Kazakhstan's CPC Blend and Iraq's Basrah.
Donald Trump has tasked trusted individuals without diplomatic training, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. They are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, despite criticism over their ties to Russian officials.
European governments accuse Belgium of excessive demands for protection in case the Kremlin sues over the use of 140 billion euros in frozen Russian assets. This could derail negotiations on the EU's plan to provide these assets to Ukraine before the December summit.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the preparation of new EU sanctions against Belarus. This is a response to hybrid actions against Lithuania, including an increase in the number of incursions by contraband balloons.
A month before the end of 2025, Russia recorded a significant failure of tax revenues, which deepens the financial crisis. Oil and gas revenues, VAT, and excise taxes have significantly decreased, and the budget deficit has reached record levels.
After a meeting in France with President Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks to end the war, but in such a way that Russia does not receive "rewards" for it.
Kaja Kallas expressed concern about possible pressure on Ukraine in peace talks and emphasized the importance of reparations credits from frozen Russian assets. She also supported Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions, stressing the importance of trust during the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron will make a three-day state visit to China this week to persuade Xi Jinping to influence the Kremlin to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine. Paris also expects China to step up efforts to influence Russia and review trade imbalances with the EU.
A Land Cruiser 200 Prado belonging to a 41-year-old doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, a developer of targeting systems for long-range missiles, exploded in Moscow. The owner of the car, a specialist at the Moscow Research Institute "Polyus", is currently on a business trip.
Indian state-owned refineries Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum are resuming purchases of discounted Russian crude oil at around $5 a barrel. India's total purchases are unlikely to exceed 600,000 barrels per day, with payments made in UAE dirhams and US dollars.
Russian dictator Putin plans to spend about 40% of budget funds on defense and the security bloc, which is a record since the USSR. This indicates the Kremlin's intention to continue the war, despite the budget deficit and cuts in social programs.
The Netherlands is providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 250 million euros through the PURL initiative. The funds will be used to purchase American weapons, including air defense systems and F-16 ammunition.
The European Commission is consulting with member states on a "reparations loan," but Belgium is resisting. EU leaders must find a solution before the December 18-19 summit, as all options have weaknesses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Diplomatic issues, strengthening Ukraine's resilience, and the negotiation process to end the war were discussed.
The number of possible cases of African swine fever among wild boars is increasing in Spain, threatening pork exports. Countries are already imposing import restrictions, and a third of export certificates have been blocked.
President Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb held talks on Russian aggression. The parties exchanged information and assessed diplomatic scenarios, emphasizing the need to pressure Russia.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has synchronized sanctions with the United States and imposed them against "Rosneft" and "Lukoil," as well as against other Russian companies and enterprises.
The KAIROS tanker, damaged in the Black Sea while transporting Russian oil products, cannot yet be towed to shore. The vessel has drifted 18 kilometers from the coast, and the oil spill has stretched for 16 kilometers.
