Germany
In Magdeburg, a BMW driver drove into a crowd of people at a Christmas market, killing one person. According to BILD, 60 to 80 people were injured, and police are checking the area for explosives.
President of Ukraine meets with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Palutskas on military cooperation. Lithuania annually allocates 0.25% of GDP to Ukraine's defense needs.
In the German city of Magdeburg, a car drove into a crowd of people at a Christmas market. According to preliminary data, 11 people were killed, 60 were injured, and the driver was arrested.
The German chancellor has reiterated his intention to continue dialog with the russian president. The Estonian prime minister believes that only military support for Ukraine will force russia to start negotiations.
A social taxi for people with disabilities will start operating in Brovary on January 1, 2025, thanks to cooperation with the German district of Lan Dill. The city also received school equipment and significant humanitarian aid from German sister cities.
The Teamsters union has organized the largest strike in US history against Amazon over the company's refusal to negotiate labor contracts. The protest action began on December 19 with the participation of about 10,000 workers.
The President of Ukraine met with employees of the energy sector and presented them with state awards. Ukraine will receive new air defense systems from partners to protect its energy infrastructure.
Steinmeier plans to dissolve the German parliament on December 27 after the failed vote of confidence in Scholz. New federal elections are to be held on February 23, 2024.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the delivery of the sixth IRIS-T SLM system to Ukraine. Gepard SPAAG continues to be supplied along with ammunition, the production of which has been resumed.
European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis has called for the confiscation of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. The EU is reassessing the risks of such a move amid a possible reduction in US aid.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had a phone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump. The parties discussed security policy in Europe and the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need to achieve a just peace.
The President of Ukraine said that the army lacks weapons, not people. Zelensky recalled the understaffed brigades and emphasized the importance of technological equipment for the army.
The US Secretary of State said that NATO membership is the best guarantee of security for Ukraine. An alternative could be the presence of a European military contingent on the demarcation line after a peace agreement.
Swedish law enforcement officials have received permission from China to inspect the Yi Peng 3 in a case of damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is suspected of deliberately damaging cables between Finland-Germany and Sweden-Lithuania.
At a press conference, Putin spoke of a “normal” economy in Russia and compared the war to a “dzhuzhukha. ” He proposed to conduct an “experiment” with an “Oreshnik” missile against Ukrainian air defense in Kyiv.
The EU's top diplomat called for an end to pressure on Zelenskyy regarding negotiations with Russia and for real security guarantees. Kallas emphasized that supporting Ukraine is now cheaper than the consequences of a possible Russian victory.
The German Ministry of Defense has approved a large-scale program for the purchase of military equipment worth 20 billion euros. It is planned to modernize the Taurus, purchase submarines, Aegis systems, Patriot missiles and other weapons.
NATO's new command for the coordination of Western military assistance to Ukraine has started work in Wiesbaden. The NSATU structure takes over the functions of the Ramstein group for the military implementation of the decisions taken.
The President of Ukraine will hold a series of important meetings with European leaders in Brussels. Talks are scheduled with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and other countries, as well as the EU and NATO leaders.
European countries are discussing the possibility of deploying up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace agreement. France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom could form the basis of a coalition.
Britain, France, and Germany accused Iran of building up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to unprecedented levels. The IAEA confirms that Iran is the only country that possesses uranium with a purity of 60%.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has signed a contract with Rheinmetall for the supply of 155-mm artillery shell charging modules. The delivery of tens of thousands of charges is scheduled for January 2025.
Rheinmetall has received an order to supply 20 Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2025, with funding provided by Germany.
Ukraine's German repair center for large military equipment will be moved from Slovakia to Germany by the end of the year. The repair center has been operating in Slovakia since the end of 2022.
The German chancellor cited Trump's criticism of Biden's decision to strike Russia to justify his refusal to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Trump called Biden's authorization “very stupid.
The German chancellor wants to visit Trump after he takes office on January 20. The visit is planned before the early elections in Germany, which are expected on February 23.
A three-story World War II bunker was put up for auction in Hamm for 1 euro. However, the new owner will have to spend 620 thousand euros to demolish it.
An unexploded World War II bomb was discovered during construction work in the Sulz district. As a result, 3,000 residents of the largest residential complex, Uni-Center, were evacuated within a 350-meter radius.
France restored its flag at the embassy in Damascus after a 12-year break. European countries begin to establish diplomatic contacts with the new Syrian government.
Germany's defense minister has announced the country's possible participation in securing a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Specific details of the peacekeeping mission have not yet been discussed due to the absence of cease-fire talks.