Ukraine
Kaja Kallas expressed concern about possible pressure on Ukraine in peace talks and emphasized the importance of reparations credits from frozen Russian assets. She also supported Ukrainian anti-corruption institutions, stressing the importance of trust during the war.
The head of European Union diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, stated that Russia must pay compensation to Ukraine. She emphasized that fair reparations loans, backed by frozen Russian assets, should form the basis for compensation for damages.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for close relations with Poland, emphasizing European unity and a common stand against threats from Russia. Deeper cooperation in defense was discussed, including the protection of NATO's eastern flank and plans to sign a new defense agreement in 2026.
Key issues, from territories to NATO, remain open, and the peace plan is just entering its most difficult phase.
The HUR published an interception of a conversation between the occupiers, where they discuss amputating the limbs of a wounded man to facilitate his transportation. The invaders also boast about finding food and threaten to cut off the leg of the wounded man.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, who heads the Ukrainian delegation during negotiations in the US, reported to President Zelenskyy on the interim results of the negotiations in Florida. Significant progress has been made, but some issues require further refinement.
He emphasized the importance of progress in developing security guarantees and a long-term foundation for the stability of Ukraine and Europe.
The Cabinet of Ministers has set a special gas price for cogeneration plants in frontline regions, which will be valid for one year. The government also simplified the procedure for installing distributed generation facilities and resumed the tender for the construction of generating capacity.
The SBI reported suspicion to the acting director of the state enterprise "Enterprise of the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine (No. 98)" for demanding 10% kickbacks. He received 600,000 hryvnias for a 6 million hryvnia contract for the production of goods by prisoners.
Ukraine and the EU are launching the Brave1 – EU4UA Defence Tech grant program with a budget of 3. 3 million euros. The program will fund the development of defense technologies, including high-speed interceptors and radars to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, and Keir Starmer held a conversation with Rustem Umerov and Steve Witkoff. The results of Ukraine-US negotiations in Florida were discussed, and the teams will coordinate schedules for further contacts.
The EU warns the Donald Trump administration against granting amnesty to Putin or writing off Russia's war crimes, calling it a strategic catastrophe. The EU emphasizes the need to hold Russia accountable for crimes in Ukraine and supports the creation of a tribunal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a several-hour conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 1. The parties focused on negotiations to end the war and security guarantees for Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron will make a three-day state visit to China this week to persuade Xi Jinping to influence the Kremlin to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine. Paris also expects China to step up efforts to influence Russia and review trade imbalances with the EU.
A Land Cruiser 200 Prado belonging to a 41-year-old doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, a developer of targeting systems for long-range missiles, exploded in Moscow. The owner of the car, a specialist at the Moscow Research Institute "Polyus", is currently on a business trip.
The European Commission is actively, though not publicly, participating in peace consultations on Ukraine, maintaining constant contact with Kyiv and the United States. Brussels ensures that the EU's interests are taken into account in the discussions and supports Ukraine's sovereignty.
The indictment against the former Minister of Internal Affairs during Yanukovych's time, who is hiding in Russia, has been sent to court. He is accused of treason and justifying Russian aggression, which included proposals to surrender territories and spread pro-Russian narratives.
In October, Ukraine began the gradual withdrawal of 10-kopeck coins, which remain a means of payment. In October-November, banks withdrew over 1.2 million such coins, while 50-kopeck coins remain in circulation due to stable demand.
On December 2, cloudy, wet weather with moderate air temperatures of +3…+7 degrees, in the south +7…+12 degrees, without significant precipitation, is expected in Ukraine. In Kyiv, it will be cloudy, damp, and around +6 degrees.
Russian dictator Putin plans to spend about 40% of budget funds on defense and the security bloc, which is a record since the USSR. This indicates the Kremlin's intention to continue the war, despite the budget deficit and cuts in social programs.
European Council President António Costa will host an informal meeting of EU leaders on February 12 at Alden Biesen Castle, Belgium, to discuss Europe's competitiveness. The meeting will follow discussions on the European Commission's proposal for a pan-European industrial revival.
The SBU detained a 35-year-old unemployed man, who was hiding from mobilization, for adjusting missile and drone attacks on Chernivtsi and calling for new strikes on the western regions of Ukraine. Prohibited symbols and evidence of cooperation with the Russian occupiers were seized from him.
The Netherlands is providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 250 million euros through the PURL initiative. The funds will be used to purchase American weapons, including air defense systems and F-16 ammunition.
The Cabinet of Ministers sent the resolution on 3,000 free kilometers by Ukrzaliznytsia for revision. The final decision is expected soon, said MP Oleksiy Honcharenko. This program is part of the winter support announced by President Zelenskyy.
The Polish prosecutor has requested a European arrest warrant for Yevhen Ivanov and Oleksandr Kononov, citizens of Ukraine. They are suspected of sabotage against railway infrastructure, which included damaging tracks and the contact line.
The meeting between Kremlin head Vladimir Putin and US President's special representative Stephen Witkoff is scheduled for December 2. This was announced by Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the Élysée Palace in Paris. He was met by French President Emmanuel Macron, the leaders exchanged hugs.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Belgium has legitimate concerns about the risks of a reparations loan for Ukraine, but other member states are ready to share these risks. The European Commission continues consultations with member states, including Belgium, on this issue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on constructive talks with the US in Miami, noting the presence of "difficult issues" that still need to be worked on. Further actions will be determined after the report of Ukrainian representatives returning to Europe and planned negotiations with European partners.
Lawyers claim that the Ministry of Health should conduct unscheduled inspections of clinics where there is a threat to the life and health of patients, even during wartime. This became relevant after the scandal with the death of a businessman in the Odesa clinic Odrex and numerous complaints about improper medical care.