Canada plans to open two new consulates in Greenland and Alaska as part of a strategy to strengthen its presence in the Arctic. Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized the growing strategic importance of the region, given the advancement of Russian infrastructure and the melting of polar ice.
The first sale of oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico brought in $279 million from 30 companies. This is part of Republican efforts to increase fossil fuel production in the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took 14th place in Politico's ranking of the most influential people in Europe. The ranking was topped by US President Donald Trump, and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was placed 5th.
A 7. 6 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of Japan, reaching an intensity of over 6 on the Japanese scale. A tsunami warning has been issued, with the epicenter located east of Aomori Prefecture.
On Saturday, December 6, a 7-magnitude earthquake struck the US state of Alaska. The epicenter was located 90 km north of Yakutat, with no tsunami threat.
Envoys of US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian negotiators for the third time in two weeks to discuss a peace plan, while the Trump administration eased economic pressure on Russia. The US Treasury Department partially suspended sanctions against Lukoil gas stations outside Russia until April 29.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will hold talks with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a possible path to ending Russia's war against Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the afternoon, following the earlier establishment of an "updated and improved peace framework agreement" by the US and Ukraine.
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.
The Russian Foreign Ministry once again stressed that they do not plan to agree to new terms of the peace plan, but remain committed to the agreement in Anchorage and the plans for the "SVO".
Changes to the US peace plan, which emerged after meetings between American and Ukrainian negotiators in Geneva, could force Putin to reject the proposal. Russia will resist any deviation from the maximalist positions that were in the original plan.
Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, including American proposals for a peaceful settlement. The Turkish president expressed his readiness to facilitate the negotiation process by providing the Istanbul platform.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the extent of interaction between Russia and the United States regarding Trump's "peace plan" for Ukraine still needs clarification. The necessity of a conversation between Putin and Trump, as well as the level of contacts between Moscow and Washington concerning the plan, is yet to be determined.
Putin commented for the first time on the peace settlement plan for the war in Ukraine, which the US discussed with him before the meeting in Alaska. He noted that the US asked Russia to show flexibility, but has not yet received Ukraine's consent to this plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold talks in Turkey and meet with US Army representatives in Kyiv. Kyiv has received 'signals' regarding a US plan to end the war.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is secretly developing a new 28-point plan with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, discussed it with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Sergei Lavrov risks losing his post as Russian Foreign Minister if he fails to prevent the strengthening of the US position in relations with Russia. The recorded absence of the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry at important events may indicate disapproval in the Kremlin of the "deterioration" of relations with the Trump administration.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin could meet at the G20 summit at the end of November. He believes that the peace plan for Ukraine should move to concrete actions.
Brent and WTI crude oil prices fell by 0. 55% and 0.71% respectively, heading for their third monthly decline. A strengthening dollar and a slowdown in manufacturing activity in China affected the market, while increased supply from OPEC+ and the US offset the impact of sanctions.
US President Donald Trump has offered China an oil and gas deal after meeting with Xi Jinping and announcing an easing of the trade conflict. This proposal concerns the purchase of American energy, particularly from Alaska, and the potential of the deal will be explored by the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior.
US senators plan to summon the Russian ambassador to testify about the abduction of Ukrainian children. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak called this an important stage in exposing Russia's crimes.
Maria Lvova-Belova accused Ukraine of fakes about deported children, although she herself boasted about "re-educating" a deported boy.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Vladimir Putin was ready to end the war in Ukraine based on the American concept. This statement was made during a meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska.
Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine and the Kremlin's maximalist demands forced Trump to impose new sanctions against Russia. This happened after realizing the immutability of Putin's course regarding the war's goals.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has resumed oil and gas exploration and production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska. This decision overturns previous restrictions by the Joe Biden administration and raises concerns among environmental organizations.
The summit between the US and Russian presidents in Hungary has been postponed, as Moscow refused to consider terms for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. The American side concluded that there was no chance of a real agreement in Budapest.
Tropical Storm Melissa, the 13th Atlantic storm of 2025, threatens severe flooding and landslides in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Aruba. Melissa's wind speeds reach 80 km/h, and meteorologists warn of dangerous weather throughout the weekend.
On October 17, Donald Trump urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to Moscow's terms to end the war, citing Putin's threats to "destroy" Ukraine. Trump insisted on handing over control of Donbas and reiterated the Kremlin's arguments.
Damage from the Alaska storm is so severe that many of the 2,000 evacuees will not return home for at least 18 months. In Kipnuk, one of the hardest-hit villages, 90% of homes have been destroyed.
European leaders are trying to find a place at the negotiating table after Putin's contact with Trump threatens to nullify their efforts to increase pressure on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Trump said he would hold a second summit with Putin in Budapest after lengthy telephone conversations.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Ukraine must be included in any agreement concerning it. He views the planned talks in Budapest as an attempt to persuade Putin to start serious negotiations with Ukraine.
