France
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov reported to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the results of telephone conversations with American and European partners. Positions were coordinated and further meetings were planned for January, including a meeting on January 3 with the participation of more than 10 countries and international organizations.
On January 19, the French parliament will consider a bill on strict restrictions on the use of digital technologies by minors. The initiative proposes to ban access to social networks for children under 15 and to extend the ban on mobile phones to high schools.
According to Morgan Stanley's forecast, European banks could cut 10% of their staff due to AI by 2030, with 212,000 jobs at risk. This applies to back-office, risk management, and compliance roles to increase efficiency by 30%.
Champagne, which originated in the French region of Champagne, became a symbol of positive emotions thanks to the improvement of winemaking technologies by the monk Dom Pierre Pérignon. The drink, which gained royal status at the court of Louis XIV, later became available to the bourgeoisie and artists, and was subsequently popularized by Hollywood.
The European Union plans to impose a 20th package of sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Measures will include travel restrictions, asset freezes, and sanctions in the energy and banking sectors.
Several European states have developed plans to ensure a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Between 10,000 and 15,000 servicemen from European countries could be deployed during the first six months.
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.
France expresses doubts about Ukrainian drone attacks on Vladimir Putin's residence, as there is no compelling evidence. Russian authorities provide conflicting information about the incident.
President Zelenskyy reported on the daily work of Ukraine and the United States, despite Russian attempts to disrupt negotiations. He also announced upcoming meetings of advisors on January 3 in Ukraine and leaders on January 6 in France.
National security advisors from the "coalition of the willing" countries and Ukraine will meet on January 3 in Ukraine. After that, a meeting at the level of leaders will take place in France on January 6.
France has postponed its ban on single-use plastic cups for four years, until 2030, due to difficulties in finding alternatives. The Ministry of Ecological Transition announced that a new review of progress would take place in 2028.
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.
George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their two children have been granted French citizenship, confirmed by an official decree. The actor previously expressed his admiration for French privacy laws, which protect his family from paparazzi.
The President of Finland reported on negotiations in the US involving Zelenskyy, Trump, and other European leaders, including Macron and von der Leyen. The discussions lasted over an hour, focusing on concrete steps to end the war and achieve lasting peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US President Donald Trump today at 8:00 PM. Approximately at 9:00 PM, Zelenskyy and Trump will hold a phone conversation with European leaders.
Why Keir Starmer was not present during Zelenskyy's phone call with European leaders, The Telegraph found out.
Interpol has issued an international arrest warrant for former Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who was sentenced in France to two years in prison for money laundering. Moldovan law enforcement confirmed receipt of the request, but the country's Constitution prohibits the extradition of its citizens.
Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis won the 68th 'Best European Athlete' award, scoring 184 points. Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk took 14th-15th place with 16 points.
In the Paris metro, an undocumented immigrant from Mali wounded three women with a knife, one of whom was pregnant. Police detained the 25-year-old man, known to law enforcement for property crimes and sexual harassment.
France reported no direct contact between Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Putin. Neither a phone conversation nor a visit by the French leader to Moscow is planned for now.
Ukraine has committed to reviewing the procedure for selecting the Prosecutor General in accordance with European practices, but this does not entail a competition. In economically developed European countries, the Prosecutor General is appointed by the government or the president.
Ukraine completed the 2025 harvest, gathering 57. 6 million tons of grain and 17.3 million tons of oilseeds. The total grain production is expected to be around 60 million tons after the corn harvest.
Great Britain, France, Germany, and Turkey are ready to send a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine after the war ends. This was confirmed by Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the President's Office, who emphasized the need for international participation in deterring Russia.
British monarch Charles greeted the world for Christmas; he did not mention specific countries in his speech, but he included the Ukrainian carol "Shchedryk" in the video sequence.
Mykola Leontovych's score of "Shchedryk" has been exhibited at New York's Carnegie Hall. This became possible after the facsimile was transferred to the Carnegie Hall archive.
In 2025, mobile internet was disconnected more than 11,000 times in 80 regions of Russia, and daily in 25 of them. The authorities explain this by security requirements, but the real goal is the gradual digital isolation of Russia.
The head of the German parliament's foreign policy committee, Armin Laschet, stated the need for a German-French initiative to coordinate European plans for a ceasefire in Ukraine. He emphasized that Europe must develop its own strong foreign and security policy, agreed upon with Ukraine, which could then be presented to Russia from a position of strength.
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.
Representatives of the embassies of Great Britain, Germany, and France presented a joint creative greeting for the winter holidays, performing Mykola Leontovych's legendary composition in the Kyiv subway. The recording took place at the Zoloti Vorota station with the participation of Ukrainian musicians.
French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. Consultations on security assistance will begin in early 2026 in Paris.