United States
American lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that provides for sanctions against the purchase or facilitation of imports of Russian oil. The document creates a legal framework for increasing sanctions pressure on Russia's oil revenues.
Oil quotes rose after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade for all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Brent quotes rose by 0.9% to $59.46 per barrel, and American WTI rose by 1% to $55.82.
On December 16, US President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan territorial waters. He accused Venezuela of stealing American assets and declared its government a "foreign terrorist organization."
The US and European allies have prepared two draft documents on supporting Ukraine after a potential "peace agreement," which were discussed with President Zelenskyy in Berlin. The documents outline general principles and detailed provisions for force interaction, and also envisage increasing the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to 800,000 servicemen.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said that Donald Trump doubts Vladimir Putin's desire for peace. Trump believes that Russia seeks full occupation of Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has signed an order to tighten restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States. The restrictions apply to 5 new countries and individuals with Palestinian Authority travel documents, and are extended for 12 high-risk countries.
Trump has added Colombia's largest cocaine cartel, the Clan del Golfo, to the list of terrorist organizations. The US threatens to use "all available means" against such groups in Latin America.
FIFA has reduced the price of some World Cup tickets to $60 following a global backlash from fans. These tickets will be available for every game of the tournament in North America and will be distributed through national federations.
US President Donald Trump announced a special address to the American people from the White House. The speech is scheduled for Thursday at 04:00 Kyiv time.
The United States has suspended the implementation of the "Technology Prosperity Agreement" due to disagreements with London on digital regulation and food standards. The document provided for cooperation in the fields of AI, quantum computing, and nuclear energy.
Germany has completed the transfer of two Patriot air defense systems and the ninth IRIS-T system to Ukraine, strengthening the protection of the Ukrainian sky. The total amount of German aid to Ukraine next year will reach 11.5 billion euros, which is a new record.
At the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $120 billion for defense needs in 2026, half of which will be provided by the state. He named five priorities for maintaining the pace and stability of the front.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that security guarantees for Ukraine must be legally binding and supported by the US Congress. He emphasized that this should be a stronger agreement than the Budapest Memorandum or the Minsk agreements.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke cautiously about the role of European forces for Ukraine, noting that much would depend on Putin's actions. He supported the idea of a European military presence but pointed to unresolved issues regarding their deployment.
A new meeting between Ukraine and the US at the level of negotiating groups is expected in Miami in the coming days. It will discuss security guarantees, economic recovery, and 20 points of the framework agreement.
The spokesman for the Russian dictator, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia is not interested in a temporary cessation of hostilities. He noted that Moscow would not participate in short-term solutions.
Leaders of eight EU countries bordering Russia will demand targeted defense funding in the next long-term budget of the bloc at a summit in Helsinki. This is due to growing concerns about Russia's aggressive actions, which are testing their borders.
The German Chancellor called on EU member states to find a way to share the risks associated with the use of these assets.
The US Pentagon reported an attack on three boats in the Pacific Ocean, whose crew is suspected of drug smuggling. As a result, 8 people died, and President Donald Trump justified these attacks as a necessary escalation to stop the flow of drugs into the US.
The US is offering Ukraine security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, but with an implicit ultimatum to accept them now. This offer is an attempt to accelerate a peace agreement and allay fears of a future Russian attack.
Research has found that some new variants of the H5N1 bird flu virus are better at infecting cow cells than older ones. This highlights the need for monitoring as the virus spreads among dairy cattle and poses a potential pandemic threat.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that there is no agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. He noted that the positions of Europe and the US on this issue differ significantly.
US President Donald Trump has classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, giving the government additional powers in the fight against illicit trafficking. This move will allow the US to use military force against drug traffickers, particularly in Venezuela.
The next round of negotiations between Kyiv and Washington on a peace plan is scheduled for this weekend in the US. The discussion will take place after US consultations with Russia, and then a meeting at the leaders' level is possible.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the US is ready to respond with military action to renewed Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is enshrined in the security guarantees under discussion. He emphasized that Poland will not pressure Ukraine into concessions and will ensure the security of the eastern flank.
President Zelenskyy is concerned about the possibility of Russia rejecting Trump's peace plan, which could cause turbulence in the diplomatic process. In case of Russia's refusal, the United States of America will strengthen sanctions and increase arms supplies to Ukraine.
The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia and confirms the freezing of Russian assets. The EU is ready to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years, which amounts to about 90 billion euros.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of a referendum on territories is not currently being considered. Ukraine is ready to hold elections provided a ceasefire is established and security infrastructure is ensured.
Ukraine and the United States supported German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal for a Christmas truce. President Zelenskyy emphasized that the implementation of this idea depends on Russia's political will.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects to meet with US President Donald Trump after the documents are finalized. The parties have come closer to discussing the most difficult points of the 20-point framework agreement.