As the source said, this time the “cotton” visited the drilling rig at the Rakushechnoye field (named after Valery Graifer).
Commander of NATO's Allied Maritime Command, Mike Utley, stated that the Alliance has an advantage over Russia but is not ready for prolonged hostilities. Member countries have recognized the problem and plan to invest in increasing resilience.
The Russian Federation plans to launch a single IMEI registry, which will link them to subscriber numbers starting in 2027. From 2028, only devices from the state database will be connected to the network, making mobile communications an element of state surveillance.
High-ranking Russian officials rejoiced after EU leaders failed to agree on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Instead, Kyiv will receive a €90 billion loan, while Russian funds remain blocked.
The European Union and its member states are ready to contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine, including through a Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States. The EU will address matters within its competence or those affecting its security, according to the European Council conclusions of December 18.
The European Council decided to allocate 90 billion euros in funding to Ukraine for 2026-2027. The funds will be based on EU borrowings without the use of Russian assets and without the involvement of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia.
The number of patents in Russia has decreased by almost a quarter since the beginning of the war, reaching its lowest level in 20 years. Most state "innovative" projects are borrowed or adapted technologies, not genuine innovations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed details of the agreement between EU leaders on providing financial assistance to Ukraine for 2026–2027.
US President Donald Trump signed into law the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026 with a record budget of $901 billion. The document allocates $800 million to Ukraine - $400 million for each of the next two years as part of the Security Assistance Initiative, which provides for the purchase of American weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The U. S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has fully launched the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which will begin reviewing projects in 2026. The fund will focus on critical minerals, energy, transportation, logistics, and technology, attracting private capital.
US President Donald Trump will sign into law on December 18 the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026, which regulates military pay raises and measures to respond to geopolitical threats, and also provides for the allocation of $800 million to Ukraine for the purchase of American weapons.
A new batch of 6,995 hearing aids has arrived in Ukraine for children and adults. The equipment is being prepared for free distribution to the regions during December-January.
In the US, a package of regulatory measures has been introduced aimed at stopping the provision of gender-affirming medical care to minors.
Trump's company announced a merger with thermonuclear technology developer TAE Technologies. The $6 billion deal aims to meet the energy needs of data centers serving artificial intelligence.
Ukraine announced a successful restructuring of GDP warrants worth $2. 6 billion, which will avoid significant payments in the post-war period. This transaction will strengthen debt sustainability and increase the country's budget predictability.
Israel's Ministry of Defense announced an expansion of its contract with Germany for the supply of Arrow-3 missile defense components, increasing its value to $3. 1 billion.
The Russian government has ordered the country's railway to sell the "Moscow Towers" in the capital's "Moscow City" complex to pay off its debts.
A session of the Albanian Parliament turned into a large-scale clash: the opposition lit flares, threw bottles, and blocked the rostrum. The reason was a protest against election falsification and a demand for the resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister, who is under investigation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that partners have informed about the possible adoption of a final decision on financing Ukraine before the end of the current year. This decision will not be postponed until January or later.
The National Bank of Ukraine considers receiving a reparation loan as the baseline scenario, but in case of delays with external assistance, the government can rely on banks. NBU Deputy Governor Serhiy Nikolaychuk noted that banks have the potential to increase investments in government securities.
Great Britain imposed sanctions against three Russian oil companies: PJSC Tatneft, PJSC Russneft, and PJSC NNK. This expansion of sanctions pressure is aimed at reducing Russia's revenue from energy exports, covering almost 60% of Russian oil exports to key markets.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that using frozen Russian assets is the only realistic way for Europe to finance support for Ukraine. He noted that technical discussions are currently underway regarding a mechanism based on Russian assets, instead of discussing alternatives.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and the United States have different views on Donbas, and the issues of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and a reparations loan remain open. He emphasized the need for a positive decision on the reparations loan to avoid a budget deficit of 45-50 billion dollars next year.
The Kyiv City Council approved the capital's budget for next year, which amounts to over 106 billion hryvnias. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the budget is balanced and ensures the city's vital functions, assistance to the military, and socially vulnerable Kyiv residents.
The absence of a reparations loan could lead to a budget deficit of 45-50 billion dollars next year, the President of Ukraine said.
EU countries have offered additional guarantees to Belgium to support a plan to provide Ukraine with a 210 billion euro loan from frozen Russian assets. Unused loan funds will be the first line of defense if the EU has to compensate Russia for damages.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has published a draft law on the introduction of VAT for individual entrepreneurs from 2027, which is intended to improve VAT administration for single tax payers. The changes envisage a reduction of the single tax rate from 5% to 3% for the 3rd group of individual entrepreneurs who reach the limit of UAH 1 million, and mandatory registration as a VAT payer.
President of the European Council António Costa stated that a decision on supporting Ukraine would be made by the end of the EU summit. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed that leaders would not leave the summit without an agreement on financing Ukraine for the next two years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Brussels for the EU summit. The summit will address the issue of financing Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs depends on the political will of partners. The President noted that these funds could be directed to support the Ukrainian army and defense production.
