The leaders of China and South Korea have agreed to intensify trade cooperation and protect regional stability. The visit of South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung took place against the backdrop of North Korea's ballistic missile tests.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally observed the test of a new hypersonic missile on January 4. He emphasized the need to improve offensive weapons and nuclear deterrence.
On January 4, the DPRK launched several ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan. The launches were recorded from the Pyongyang area at about 07:50 a.m. local time.
The daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Ju Ae, made her first public visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum, accompanying her parents. Her frequent appearances in state media fuel speculation that she may become her father's successor.
The first to welcome 2026 were Oceania and Asia, where celebrations are accompanied by pyrotechnic shows and traditional rituals. New Zealand greeted the year with a five-minute fireworks display over Sky Tower, while Sydney honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a minute of silence and projections on the Harbour Bridge.
Trump reposted a NY Post article claiming that Russia is the only obstacle to ending the war. The material states that Putin systematically opposes Trump's policies, and his statements are a manipulation to disrupt peace initiatives.
Japan, South and North Korea officially entered the New Year. Traditional ceremonies were held in Seoul and Japan, and a large-scale fireworks display in Pyongyang.
New Year on the planet lasts almost a day, starting from the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and ending in Samoa. Find out the exact time of the 2026 New Year celebration in different countries of the world according to Kyiv time.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended the test launch of long-range strategic cruise missiles, calling for the development of nuclear combat forces. The exercises took place on Sunday in the Yellow Sea.
An independent prosecutor is demanding a 10-year prison sentence for ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of obstruction of duty and abuse of power. The court could issue a verdict as early as next month.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced the continued development of the country's missile capabilities for the next five years. According to him, the country's missile and projectile production sector is of paramount importance for strengthening military deterrence.
In his New Year's address, Putin thanked Kim Jong Un for the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. He emphasized strengthening ties and further cooperation between the countries.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to conclude a separate agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear submarines. Working-level negotiations will begin early next year.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that Russia's economy allows it to produce weapons and hire mercenaries, which enables the Kremlin to continue the war. He emphasized that Putin and his elites do not see Russia's future without Ukraine.
Swedish customs officers detained the Russian cargo ship Adler, whose owner exports weapons to Russia. The vessel anchored on December 20 due to an engine malfunction, and on December 21, an inspection of the cargo began. M Leasing LLC, the company that owns Adler, is under US and EU sanctions for transporting North Korean ammunition to the Russian Federation.
The European Union plans to introduce its 20th package of sanctions against Russia in early 2026, continuing pressure to end the war. EU leaders call for coordination with the G7 and stronger measures against sanctions circumvention, as well as condemning third-country support for Russia.
North Korea held a welcoming ceremony for sappers who returned from Russia's Kursk region after demining. Kim Jong Un thanked the troops for their safe return, noting the loss of nine lives.
A US special operations group in the Indian Ocean raided a vessel en route from China to Iran and confiscated military cargo. The cargo, consisting of components for the production of conventional weapons, was destroyed.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that "we are Russia's next target" and called for an immediate increase in defense spending. He emphasized that Putin is engaged in empire-building, and China, North Korea, and Iran support his aggressive stance.
The Washington Post reports on the outlines of a future peace agreement for Ukraine, which includes EU membership by 2027 and security guarantees from the US. The agreement provides for a demilitarized zone and territorial exchange, but Donald Trump could influence the course of negotiations.
On December 10, the world celebrates International Human Rights Day, established by the UN in 1950. In Ukraine, human rights are enshrined in the Constitution, but martial law restricts some of them, and Russia is recognized as the main violator.
NielsenIQ's Russian subsidiary is actively recruiting staff for high-risk markets, including occupied Ukrainian territories and Iran, as revealed by job postings on HH. ru. The company's internal research previously labeled occupied Ukrainian lands as "new Russian regions."
South Korea will gain access to nuclear submarines after US approval, which could change Asia's security landscape. This decision could lead to an escalation of the submarine arms race in the region.
Thanks to the efforts of Donald Trump's wife, Melania, seven children, previously illegally transported to Russia, were able to return to Ukraine.
Kateryna Rashevska, a representative of the NGO "Regional Center for Human Rights," stated that there are 165 "re-education" camps for Ukrainian children in the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as in Russia, Belarus, and North Korea.
North Korea is using the war in Ukraine for military propaganda, ordering soldiers to blow themselves up if threatened with capture. This is glorified as "eternal devotion" to Kim Jong Un, promoting the idea of self-sacrifice without ensuring the military's right to life.
North Korea has made Russian a compulsory subject for schoolchildren from the 4th grade. About 600 people in the DPRK study Russian, making it one of the three most popular languages in the DPRK.
China criticized the US for its plans to change nuclear policy, warning of an increased risk of conflict. This came after Washington's statement about its readiness to resume nuclear weapons tests in response to the actions of rivals.
US Special Envoy Daniel Driscoll stated that Russia is accumulating missiles, producing them faster than it uses them. This increases the threat to Ukraine and could spread to other European countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit China from December 3 to 5 to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The purpose of the trip is to further develop Franco-Chinese relations and discuss cooperation issues.
