National security advisers from European countries have arrived in Kyiv. They will hold consultations on security and economic issues, and coordinate further steps with partners.
Estonia will chair the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) format from January 1, 2026, coordinating the efforts of eight countries. Key priorities include supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on the aggressor.
Since PURL was launched in August, 24 countries have joined it, and the total amount of contributions is $4. 3 billion. This allows for the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriots, and strengthening Ukraine's defense.
In France, a ban on the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing containing dangerous "forever chemicals" PFAS comes into force. The French law, approved in February, prohibits the production, import or sale of such products from January 2026, with the exception of some industrial textiles.
The Danish postal service PostNord has stopped delivering letters due to a sharp decline in their use. The number of letters sent by mail in the country has decreased by more than 90 percent since 2000.
Ursula von der Leyen held talks with European leaders on support, security and reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of the country's accession to the EU.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The main topics were preparations for a meeting with US President Donald Trump and the negotiation process for peace in Europe.
On the eve of Christmas, the work of the French national postal service La Poste was paralyzed by a large-scale DDoS attack. The pro-Russian hacker group Noname057 claimed responsibility.
President Trump's new envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, announced his intention to initiate a dialogue with the island's residents regarding its development. This contradicts Trump's previous statements about the need for US control over Greenland.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
On December 19, the European Union approved €90 billion in funding for Ukraine, which the country will repay after receiving reparations from Russia. Journalists found out how this process took place.
Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire for the US to control Greenland, citing its importance for national security. This comes after the appointment of Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the island.
The Czech Republic's Security Council will discuss the future of the initiative to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine on January 7. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressed concerns about the transparency of the initiative.
Denmark reacted to the appointment of the US special envoy to Greenland, emphasizing respect for territorial integrity. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stressed that everyone must respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.
US President Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the US special envoy to Greenland, underscoring intentions to strengthen US influence in the Arctic. This decision raises questions, as Landry only took office as governor of Louisiana in January 2024.
The Danish postal service PostNord will deliver its last paper letter on December 30, ending more than 400 years of history due to a sharp decline in demand. The company will cut 1,500 jobs and remove mailboxes, focusing on parcels.
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.
Denmark's military intelligence service accuses Russia of cyberattacks on a Danish water company in 2024 and DDoS attacks on websites. As a result of the attack on the water company, homes were temporarily left without water due to burst pipes.
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.
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.
Hungary has blocked the European Union's enlargement statement, preventing Ukraine from starting EU accession negotiations. 26 EU member states support Ukraine, but Hungary did not support a positive assessment of its efforts.
The Latvian government will allocate 2. 42 million euros to strengthen the protection of Riga Airport from unauthorized drone flights. The project envisages the introduction of modern technologies for detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralizing drones.
The "Ramstein-32" meeting brought Ukraine record financial commitments for 2026, including 11. 5 billion euros from Germany and 7 billion dollars from Norway. Partner countries also transferred new Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems, and allocated funds for drones, artillery, and ammunition.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke cautiously about the role of European forces for Ukraine, noting that much would depend on Putin's actions. He supported the idea of a European military presence but pointed to unresolved issues regarding their deployment.
The Russian Federation has been recognized as the least peaceful country on the planet, taking last place in the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) report. Ukraine and Sudan also made it into the top three most dangerous states.
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.
The US is offering Ukraine security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, but with an implicit ultimatum to accept them now. This offer is an attempt to accelerate a peace agreement and allay fears of a future Russian attack.
Negotiations on a peace plan for Ukraine are about to begin in Berlin. Representatives from the US, Italy, France, and other countries are present at the meeting.
Poland has officially joined the Ukraine2EU program, providing Ukraine with a financial contribution of 1 million euros and sharing experience in implementing European integration reforms. This support will strengthen the capacity of the Verkhovna Rada and accelerate the approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU standards.
An exclusive magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961 champagne from the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was not sold at auction in Denmark. The bids were not high enough, failing to reach the expected 600,000 Danish kroner (approximately 81,000 euros).
