Technical groups at the EU summit are working to find ways to finance Ukraine, which could take hours. Discussions on a loan for Ukraine are moving in the right direction, a German official assessed.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of a number of enemy targets in the temporarily occupied territories, including the 55Zh6 "Nebo-U" radar in Crimea and a fuel and lubricants depot in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. A UAV depot in Makiivka was also hit, and two S-400 air defense system launchers in Belgorod Oblast were destroyed.
The "Odrex Case" became a litmus test for the systemic problems of Ukrainian medicine: imperfect legislation, lack of clear rules of responsibility, and mechanisms of professional control. Experts and politicians emphasize: without medical self-governance and transparent procedures for evaluating medical care, the system is doomed.
Police are investigating the beating of a district officer by three servicemen of the Odesa RTCC and SP. One of the attackers was intoxicated, all suspects have been notified of suspicion.
European officials say every act of sabotage – from vandalism of monuments to cyberattacks and warehouse fires – consumes valuable security resources.
EU countries have offered additional guarantees to Belgium to support a plan to provide Ukraine with a 210 billion euro loan from frozen Russian assets. Unused loan funds will be the first line of defense if the EU has to compensate Russia for damages.
Former head of the State Judicial Administration Oleksiy Salnikov stated critical systemic violations in the HACC and NABU. He pointed to interference in the automatic distribution of cases, support for the prosecutor's position in the HACC, and ignoring evidence by NABU detectives.
An anticyclone will determine the weather in Ukraine on December 18, it will be dry and sometimes windy. From December 26, a cold snap with night frosts down to -5...-11 degrees is expected.
Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine recorded a video message to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, asking why they are not being exchanged. Among them are seriously wounded and those who were captured for the second time, despite the Istanbul agreements.
The European Union has imposed sanctions against 41 vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet. " This decision was made within the framework of the sanctions regime for Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the heads of states, parliaments, and governments of democratic countries of the world, as well as the International Paralympic Committee. This appeal concerns the ban on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international sports competitions.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine is “dead. ” According to him, not enough leaders supported the idea.
The Verkhovna Rada, with 260 votes of people's deputies, adopted in general a law that defines the basic principles and rules for conducting academic activities, and also establishes the signs and types of violations of academic integrity.
President of the European Council António Costa stated that a decision on supporting Ukraine would be made by the end of the EU summit. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed that leaders would not leave the summit without an agreement on financing Ukraine for the next two years.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever stated that the texts on frozen Russian assets for the EU summit are still being worked on. Belgium does not support the idea of a reparations loan, but is ready for it if the risks are shared and the country is protected.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports a possible slowdown of traffic at all checkpoints on the border with Poland. This is due to maintenance work in the database of the customs service of the Republic of Poland, which will last until 3:00 PM Kyiv time.
President Zelenskyy stated that the EU's refusal to use frozen Russian funds would weaken Ukraine, potentially affecting the course of the war and diplomacy. He emphasized that without these funds, Ukraine would be in a more vulnerable position, which would reduce Russia's interest in a diplomatic settlement.
The Ukrainian meat and sausage market is transforming: consumption volumes are decreasing, but monetary volume is growing due to inflation. Consumers prefer quality, convenience, trust, and local brands, which leads to the emergence of new products, such as the meat and sausage line under the "Nasha Ryaba" brand.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the US proposal to divide the Zaporizhzhia NPP unfair, noting that no agreements have been reached on this issue. He emphasized a number of unresolved problems related to the plant's operation, including its militarization and funding for its restoration.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Brussels for the EU summit. The summit will address the issue of financing Ukraine and the use of frozen Russian assets.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine should be strengthened by the US and Europe if Russia does not stop the war. This includes additional weapons, sanctions, and financial aid.
Ukraine has launched the official emergency assistance service 112, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which functions even without mobile communication. The application allows you to call rescuers, police, medics, or gas service by authorizing through Diia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the United States had inquired about presidential elections in Ukraine, but elections to the Verkhovna Rada and local elections were not discussed. He also expressed support for online voting, particularly through "Diia."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must be in a strong position, and Russia must understand that Ukraine will not capitulate. He emphasized the need to reduce the Russian economy through sanctions to force the Russian Federation to move to diplomacy.
At night, Russia attacked 5 regions, blacking out over 180,000 consumers, most of whom have already been reconnected. In Odesa region, 12,000 subscribers remain without electricity, and the cancellation of outage schedules is impossible.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy named three fundamental things in security guarantees from the US, including legally binding guarantees, an analogue of NATO Article 5, and a response to Russian aggression. He also mentioned details regarding weapons and the size of the Ukrainian army, which are not yet being disclosed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs depends on the political will of partners. The President noted that these funds could be directed to support the Ukrainian army and defense production.
Russia seeks the complete capture of Donbas and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, which Ukraine does not agree to. The US is looking for a compromise solution, and the Ukrainian delegation has departed for Washington to discuss a peace plan.
President Zelenskyy states that Putin's signals about unwillingness to end the war are not new. The possibility of continuing the war depends on pressure from partners, particularly the US, and sanctions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stopped the payment of state scholarships to Serhiy Bubka and Yana Klochkova, according to decree No. 967 of December 17. Other Olympic champions and medalists have also been deprived of scholarships.
