Hungary

Russia stops supplying gas through Ukraine after the transit agreement expires on January 1. Europe has found alternative sources, but the loss of Russian gas has affected the EU economy.

Moldova has uncovered a channel for illegal migration of Ukrainian men through the Transnistrian section of the border. A 23-year-old Moldovan who helped smuggle Ukrainians to the EU was detained.

Border guards detained six men who were trying to illegally cross the border with Hungary across the Tisa River. Each of them paid the smuggler $15,000 for the escape attempt.

The Cabinet of Ministers has determined the list of goods subject to export licensing in 2025. Quotas for sugar and poultry exports and restrictions on grain exports to five EU countries were established.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed its readiness to consider the European Commission's request for energy supplies. However, as of January 1, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be suspended.

Gas prices in Europe are up 5% after Putin cast doubt on the possibility of a new transit deal with Ukraine. EU countries are looking for alternative solutions, but Zelenskiy rejects options financed by Russia.

The President of Ukraine has appointed Yuriy Vitrenko as Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna by Decree No. 881/2024. This appointment is part of a large-scale diplomatic reshuffle in Ukrainian missions abroad.

In Khmelnytsky region, police prevented the sale of a unique artifact from the Great Migration era. The silver overlay with gilding and solar signs dates back to 425-450 and is a rare find.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved strategies for reforming psychoneurological institutions until 2034 and developing border infrastructure until 2030. Both documents are part of the Ukraine Facility Plan.

After joining the Schengen area in 2025, Romania will close 30 land border crossings on its borders with Hungary and Bulgaria. The country will strengthen security measures due to the risks of illegal migration.

Moldova will be able to use the unused part of the 2,100 MW quota for electricity imports from the EU shared with Ukraine. The country plans to import 400 MW through Romanian power lines to cover the deficit on the Right Bank.

The Hungarian prime minister predicts that the war in Ukraine will end in 2025 through peace talks or the destruction of one of the parties. He also criticized the West's spending to support Ukraine and called Putin an “honest partner.

Electricity consumption remains high due to lower temperatures. Due to weather conditions, two settlements in Kyiv region are without power, and energy is imported from five countries.

The Energy Ministry reports an increase in electricity imports to 9259 MWh from five neighboring countries. Power companies restored electricity supply to 14511 consumers after the shelling.

The longest queues are observed at the Polish border at the Ustyluh-Zosin and Uhryniv-Dolhobyczów checkpoints. There are no queues at the borders with Romania and Moldova.

At a meeting of EU leaders, a conflict arose between Scholz and Duda over the confiscation of 260 billion euros of frozen Russian assets. Germany opposes it because of the risks to financial markets, while Poland supports the idea.

Orbán has proposed a scheme under which the gas would be supplied to Ukraine as Hungarian gas, not Russian gas. Hungary is negotiating with both sides to preserve the transit route after 2024.

Queues have formed at most checkpoints on Ukraine's western border. The longest queue is observed at Krakivets-Korchova - 240 cars and 25 buses.

Mariana Betsa is appointed head of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO, replacing Iryna Borovets. Yevhen Tsymbaliuk is appointed Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The President of Ukraine dismissed ambassadors to Rwanda, Kenya, Slovenia, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Lithuania. New diplomats have been appointed in their place, in particular in Rwanda, the Philippines, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia, and Congo.

The Ministry of Energy reports importing 11,015 MWh of electricity from 5 neighboring countries. Power engineers restored electricity supply to more than 88,000 consumers after the shelling.

On Ukraine's western borders, there are queues at all checkpoints, with the longest at Krakivets-Korchova. Over the past day, 102,000 people crossed the border, 55,000 of whom left Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the existence of a real “Christmas truce,” calling it a PR stunt by the Hungarian side. Ukraine has repeatedly asked Hungary to stop manipulating the war and Christmas.

The leader of the largest party in Bulgaria, GERB, Boyko Borisov, refused to support the signing of a security agreement with Ukraine. The interim government appealed for a mandate from parliament, but Borisov stated that the situation had changed and the agreement was no longer appropriate.

Due to the warming weather, electricity consumption in Ukraine decreased by 1. 8% compared to the previous day. Nevertheless, the power grid remains undercapacity and imports from 5 countries continue.

Viktor Orban told EU leaders that he was not ready to extend sanctions against Russia until after Trump's inauguration in the United States. At the EU summit, the Hungarian prime minister called on Europeans to “show strategic patience.

The USA allowed Turkey to make payments for gas through the sanctioned Gazprombank. A similar sanctions exemption was also granted to Hungary.

The President of Ukraine said that a serious plan to stop Putin is needed after Trump's inauguration. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of a united position of the United States and Europe on this issue.

The Ukrainian president said that Orban's relations with Putin are too “warm” for effective negotiations. Zelenskyy emphasized that the Hungarian prime minister has no mandate for such talks.

Ukraine's power grid remains in a significant capacity deficit after 12 massive attacks. Electricity is imported from 5 countries with a total volume of 10,422 MWh.