Russia has decided to terminate military agreements with 11 European countries, concluded in 1992-2002. These agreements regulated bilateral military cooperation after the collapse of the USSR.
European Union leaders have not reached an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. Discussions on providing a loan will continue on December 19 at the summit in Brussels.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
European Council President António Costa stated that the EU will not impose a reparation loan for Ukraine at the leaders' summit if Belgium opposes it. This is a departure from his previous position, where he noted that the scheme only required a qualified majority.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of financial support for Ukraine through the issuance of joint EU debt, as an alternative to using frozen Russian sovereign assets. This comes ahead of a meeting of EU leaders where ways to finance Ukraine will be discussed amid its expected deficit of 135 billion euros by 2027.
The European Commission is trying to persuade Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever to support a proposed loan to Ukraine, financed by immobilized Russian assets. De Wever expresses concerns about the risks to the Belgian economy if Russia tries to reclaim the assets.
Belgium opposed the European Commission's proposals to unblock a €210 billion loan for Ukraine, financed by frozen Russian assets. This dashes the EU's hopes for a deal before the leaders' summit, as Belgium considers the guarantees provided insufficient.
Leaders of eight EU countries bordering Russia will demand targeted defense funding in the next long-term budget of the bloc at a summit in Helsinki. This is due to growing concerns about Russia's aggressive actions, which are testing their borders.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that frozen Russian assets totaling up to $210 billion are a financial security guarantee for Ukraine. He presented two scenarios for their use: for post-war reconstruction or for annual financial assistance of 40-45 billion euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in case of continued aggression.
EU ambassadors in Brussels today are discussing the European Commission's amendments to the reparations loan proposal for financing Ukraine. These amendments aim to address the concerns of Belgium, as well as Italy, Bulgaria, and Malta, who are calling for alternative options.
The European Union is facing a critical week as it tries to protect Ukraine from an unfavorable peace deal imposed by the US and Russia, and to save a multi-billion euro loan financing agreement for Ukraine. EU leaders will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and American officials in Berlin to discuss a peace deal, and will also fight for support for the lending plan among European governments.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is convening a summit in Helsinki to develop concrete measures to strengthen EU defense. Leaders of eight countries will discuss cooperation and forming a common position to secure funding.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the EU's initiative to use frozen Russian assets, calling it dangerous and equating it to a declaration of war, and also accused European leaders of a misguided financial approach to supporting Ukraine.
Italy, Belgium, Malta, and Bulgaria have opposed the EU's plan to transfer 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. They are calling on the European Commission to consider alternative options for financial assistance, such as joint EU debt.
On December 12, the Bulgarian Parliament approved the resignation of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. This decision was made amid a wave of anti-government protests in the country.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has announced his intention to resign after a wave of protests, intensifying political chaos ahead of the country's entry into the eurozone. This decision will not affect Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone on January 1.
US sanctions against Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, which came into force on November 21, could cause a structural reorganization of the global oil sector. This will lead to the forced sale of assets and the redistribution of ownership of fields and refineries around the world.
The Russian tanker Kairos, part of the 'shadow fleet', ran aground near the Bulgarian city of Ahtopol. There are 10 crew members on board, but evacuation is not yet possible due to a strong storm.
Bulgarian police detained 71 people after overnight clashes amid the largest anti-government protests in a decade. The government is withdrawing the budget bill after escalating tensions.
NATO is stepping up preparations for a possible confrontation with Russia, while the US is reducing its military presence in Europe. The number of American troops has already been reduced in Romania, and similar steps are planned in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that after the war, Ukraine would become a buffer state between the West and Russia, as it was before the war.
Romania has agreed to introduce supervision of sanctioned companies, which also applies to Russia's "Lukoil".
Great Britain has identified units and headquarters locations for troop deployment in Ukraine as part of a 30-country coalition. Plans include training Ukrainian troops within the country and coordinating multinational forces.
Law enforcement in Bulgaria has detained 35 individuals suspected of international trafficking in cultural heritage and antique weapons. The criminal network operated for over 16 years, laundering over a billion dollars.
The Iraqi government plans to appeal to the US Treasury Department for a six-month waiver of sanctions against Lukoil. This would provide more time to sell the company's stake in the West Qurna-2 oil field.
Great Britain has temporarily suspended sanctions against the Russian company "Lukoil" for Bulgaria to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the oil refinery in Burgas. Bulgaria has also appealed to the United States to ease American sanctions against the company.
According to a European Commission study, 46 road fatalities per million inhabitants were recorded in the EU in 2023. The highest mortality rates are observed in the southeastern regions, particularly in Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Romania.
Bulgaria's parliament overturned the president's veto on a bill allowing the government to take control of Lukoil's oil refinery and sell it. The decision is intended to protect the asset from US sanctions, which will come into force on November 21.
Over 600 active methane emission points have been recorded off the coast of occupied Crimea, which may indicate the beginning of a large-scale environmental catastrophe. This is due to the technogenic activities of the Russian Federation, which lead to the depressurization of bottom layers and the degradation of the seabed.
A number of European countries will receive additional support from the EU to overcome the growing migration burden. The new mechanism will become operational after the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force in mid-2026.
