The Ukrainian president criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's intentions to influence Putin. Zelenskyy emphasized the strength of the Ukrainian army and said he would not allow such attempts.
Almost 400 settlements in 16 regions of Ukraine are without power due to the weather. Despite the absence of outage schedules, Ukrenergo urges to save electricity from 8:00 to 22:00.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called on Hungary to stop manipulating the topic of peace and Christmas, and to refrain from contacts with Russia. The ministry emphasizes that Hungary's actions impede Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Peter Szijjarto vetoed the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill in the EU sanctions list. The Hungarian minister also blocked the disbursement of 6.5 billion euros from the European Peace Fund.
The Ukrainian power grid remains in a significant power deficit after 12 massive attacks by Russia. To compensate for the deficit, electricity is imported from 5 countries in the total amount of 21,226 MWh.
Mike Volz, Trump's future national security adviser, has announced that he is looking for ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine. The team is working on options not for a temporary truce, but for a permanent end to the conflict.
Future Trump adviser Mike Volz said he was ready to consider Orban's peace proposals for Ukraine. Volz emphasized Trump's desire to end the war, but refused to comment on the details of future policy.
Two new rail routes from Kyiv to the capitals of Hungary and Slovakia were launched. The new connections should relieve congestion on the Warsaw route and improve logistics links with the EU.
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry called Kyiv's refusal to allow a phone call between Orban and Zelenskyy an “unprecedented gesture. ” Szijjártó said that Hungary had done more than others to peacefully resolve the conflict.
Following the December 13 Russian missile and drone attack, Ukraine has introduced blackout schedules. It is planned to import 15,898 MWh of electricity from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova.
The Office of the President of Ukraine stated that Orban's proposal for a “Christmas truce” was a PR stunt. The Hungarian prime minister did not have the authority to negotiate, and Russia used this to prepare new attacks.
Hungary and Bulgaria have agreed on a new solution to pay for Russian gas through Gazprombank, despite US sanctions. Peter Szijjarto said that a legal solution had been found that is not subject to restrictions.
The EBRD has provided a EUR 267 million loan to repair the M-06 highway connecting Kyiv with Ukraine's western border. The works are planned in Kyiv, Rivne and Zhytomyr regions with a focus on traffic safety.
As a result of the 12th massive missile and drone attack by the Russian Federation, power facilities in several regions of Ukraine were damaged. The weather left 198 settlements in 5 regions without electricity.
The EU Council has decided to abolish controls at the land borders with Bulgaria and Romania as of January 1, 2025. The countries have already been part of the Schengen area by air and sea since March 2024.
Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to the inauguration ceremony on January 20. According to the State Department, foreign leaders have never before attended a transfer of power ceremony in the United States.
Dmytro Lytvyn reacted to Orban's statements about a “Christmas truce” with Russia. According to him, Ukraine has been negotiating a large-scale prisoner exchange for two weeks.
The President of Ukraine commented on the phone conversation between Orban and Putin. Zelenskyy emphasized that talks about the war in Ukraine cannot take place without Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Orban had an hour-long phone conversation with Putin about the situation in Ukraine. He spoke about the “most dangerous weeks of the war” and Hungary's intention to seek a ceasefire through diplomacy.
Putin and Orban discussed energy projects and the situation in Ukraine during a telephone conversation. Orban expressed interest in a diplomatic solution to the “Ukrainian crisis.
Peter Szijjarto said Hungary would veto any EU sanctions against Georgian officials. The foreign minister accused Brussels of double standards regarding democratic elections in Georgia.
Electricity consumption in Ukraine remains at a high level, with hourly outages being implemented. Due to the weather, 9 settlements in the Odesa region have been left without power, and energy imports continue from 5 countries.
Bulgarian lawmakers plan to set up a commission to investigate Russian influence in the country. A network of 51 companies in Plovdiv has been identified that generate hundreds of millions of impressions of pro-Russian content in social networks every day.
French Ambassador Gael Veyer said that Ukraine's accession to NATO would end the war and strengthen Europe's security. However, the decision must be shared by all NATO member states.
In Ukraine, 66 settlements in 4 regions are without power due to weather conditions. Electricity consumption increased by 2.8% compared to the previous day, and a significant power shortage remains.
Viktor Orban met with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence, where Elon Musk and Michael Volz were also present. The Hungarian prime minister, known for his pro-Russian stance, called the meeting “the beginning of the future.
The EU is in talks with the United States to ease sanctions against Gazprombank over the risks of gas supplies to Europe. Putin canceled the requirement to pay through this bank, but the issue of payments remains complex.
EU ambassadors were unable to agree on the 15th package of sanctions against Russia due to disputes over the import of petroleum products. Slovakia and the Czech Republic did not agree on the terms of exceptions for deliveries through Slovnaft.
The Hungarian Information Office monitored OLAF representatives during their visits to the country in 2015-2017. Intelligence tapped phones, searched hotel rooms, and copied data from the laptops of European officials.
Oil supplies via Druzhba to the Czech Republic have been restored after a two-day break. The Czech diplomat considers the stop a deliberate provocation on the part of the Russian Federation, but the country has enough reserves and alternative routes.
