On December 22, the spot price of gold reached an all-time high of $4383. 73 per ounce. This increase is driven by the easing of US monetary policy and growing global geopolitical instability.
Oil prices rose after the US tightened its naval blockade of Venezuela and Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian tanker. Brent rose to $61, WTI to $57.
Senator Graham suggested that Donald Trump forcibly seize vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" if Moscow refuses peace talks on Ukraine. He also proposed imposing "crippling" tariffs on countries that finance the Russian war machine.
Russia exported gold bars worth $961 million to China in November, which is a historical high. In total, for 11 months of 2025, China's import of Russian gold amounted to $1.9 billion.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte explained that the United States has a direct interest in maintaining its membership in the Alliance. He named three key reasons why NATO is important for US security.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the United States has enough power to force Russia to end the war against Ukraine. He emphasized that this could be a "diplomatic victory" for the US, and President Trump is "strong enough to do it."
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that it is impossible to return current Russia to the civilized world. He noted that a democratic Russia is possible only after its collapse and regime change.
Gas prices in Europe have fallen to pre-war levels, but European factories continue to close or relocate. Experts believe that relief came too late, and businesses have lost faith in stability on the continent.
The global oil market is experiencing an oversupply of "black gold," pushing oil prices down. A record 1.3 billion barrels of crude oil are in transit or awaiting buyers in the world's oceans.
The UK Foreign Office suffered a cyberattack in October, in which British officials suspect the involvement of Chinese state entities. Although there is no official confirmation, the incident occurred amid strained relations between the countries.
One of SpaceX's Starlink satellites experienced an anomaly in space, creating a small amount of debris and losing communication at an altitude of 418 km. The satellite is practically intact, rotating and will re-enter Earth's atmosphere, where it will completely disintegrate within a few weeks.
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 UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on human rights violations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Crimea and Sevastopol. 79 countries voted for the document, 16 were against, and 73 abstained.
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.
Over 25% of new cars sold globally in 2025 are electric, according to an Ember analysis. This growth is driven by emerging markets, which are now leading the transition to electromobility.
The US Senate has confirmed Jared Isaacman as NASA Administrator. He will lead the 14,000-employee agency, which is investing billions of dollars in returning humans to the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars.
The United States has approved an $11. 1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest ever arms package for the island. The move comes amid increasing military pressure from China and includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed support for Venezuela, condemning unilateral pressure. This came after US President Donald Trump ordered the blocking of oil tankers to increase pressure on the South American country.
Oil company PDVSA has resumed loading crude oil and fuel after a three-day pause caused by a cyberattack. Fuel exports remain blocked due to Washington's strict policies and fears of asset seizure. Crude exports have sharply fallen compared to 900,000 barrels per day in November.
In Ukraine, December accounts for 30% of the annual import of mandarins, the demand for which was growing before the war. The main suppliers are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
Ursula von der Leyen criticized Donald Trump's attacks on Europe, calling for the continent's independence. She emphasized changes in the global economy and the need for its own path.
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.
Russian oil prices have fallen to their lowest level since the start of the war, as sanctions deepen the discounts the country's oil industry is forced to offer. Exporters are receiving just over $40 a barrel, down 28% compared to the last three months, while global benchmark oil prices are also falling.
In November, Ukrainians purchased 3,908 Chinese passenger cars, which is 4. 8 times more than last year. The vast majority of them are electric vehicles, accounting for 93% of the total volume.
US President Donald Trump has classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, giving the government additional powers in the fight against illicit trafficking. This move will allow the US to use military force against drug traffickers, particularly in Venezuela.
Japan will be without giant pandas for the first time in half a century, as twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei return to China. This symbolically ends an era of "panda diplomacy" amid deteriorating Japan-China relations.
Several countries held talks in Iran, agreeing to deepen coordination and calling for the lifting of sanctions against Kabul. Afghanistan, led by the Taliban movement, refused to participate despite an invitation.
China's National Health Commission announced that starting in 2026, it will cover all childbirth-related expenses, including prenatal check-ups. This decision is part of Beijing's efforts to stimulate the birth rate and address the demographic crisis.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are rapidly increasing sales, displacing gasoline cars. In the US, 22% of passenger cars sold in the first quarter of this year were hybrids, and in Europe they are already the most popular, occupying 35% of the market.
The adaptation of the Iranian-made drone with a Soviet air-to-air missile is aimed at hitting Ukrainian helicopters and aircraft that hunt Russian drones.
