United States
US officials intend to return Russian assets after a peace treaty is concluded. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes using them to support Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron will make his fourth state visit to China this week. Europe is seeking to strike a balance between economic and security threats from Beijing and its dependence on the world's second-largest economy.
The spokesman for the Russian dictator Peskov stated that the Kremlin is "ready" for negotiations only after achieving the goals of the so-called "SVO. "
Samsung Electronics has released its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z TriFold, priced at 3. 59 million won ($2,440.17). The model with a 10-inch display will go on sale on December 12 in South Korea, and later in China, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, and the US.
Donald Trump has tasked trusted individuals without diplomatic training, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. They are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, despite criticism over their ties to Russian officials.
Brent crude futures rose to $63. 24, WTI to $59.42. This comes amid an assessment of risks from drone strikes on Russian energy facilities and escalating US-Venezuela relations.
In December, the Kremlin will intensify its disinformation campaign regarding negotiations on a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine. The NSDC predicts that Russia will focus on discrediting the negotiation process between Ukraine and the United States, strengthening the narrative that "Ukraine is disrupting negotiations."
The Institute for the Study of War believes that the Kremlin is setting conditions to refrain from publicly discussing the results of the US-Russian meeting on December 2. This is likely due to a desire to conceal Russia's rejection of the US and Ukraine peace proposal.
On November 21, Donald Trump, in a phone conversation, gave Nicolas Maduro until November 28 to safely leave Venezuela. The next day, Trump announced the closure of the country's airspace.
US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff went to Russia to present Putin with an agreed-upon draft of a "peace plan" after a meeting in Florida. The Russian leader had previously stated his unwillingness to compromise and demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories.
The Italian government has approved the 12th package of military aid to Ukraine, which includes military materials, equipment, and machinery. The full list of aid is classified for security reasons.
In Sudan, the military government has offered Russia the opportunity to establish a naval base on the Red Sea coast, which could provide Moscow with strategic access to key international trade routes. The proposal includes the deployment of up to 300 military personnel and four ships, as well as permits for mineral extraction.
US President Donald Trump urged Israel to continue dialogue with Syria after a border incident that escalated relations. This happened after Israeli soldiers were wounded during an operation near the Syrian border.
Gasoline prices in the US have fallen to $3 a gallon, the lowest level since May 2021. This drop is due to cheaper crude oil and weak consumer demand, although the price is still significantly higher than Trump's pre-election promise of $2 a gallon.
The United States and Great Britain have reached an agreement on zero tariffs for British drug exports to the US. The NHS will increase the net price for innovative drugs by 25%, which could increase NHS costs by £3 billion.
After a meeting in France with President Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks to end the war, but in such a way that Russia does not receive "rewards" for it.
Romania will have to independently deter the enemy in case of a Russian invasion; NATO troops will only be able to help after several weeks. This was revealed by military exercises in Cincu, which focused on ground combat.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Indian state-owned refineries Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum are resuming purchases of discounted Russian crude oil at around $5 a barrel. India's total purchases are unlikely to exceed 600,000 barrels per day, with payments made in UAE dirhams and US dollars.
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 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 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 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.
EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that this week could be crucial for diplomacy regarding ending the war in Ukraine. This comes amid negotiations between US representatives and the Ukrainian delegation, and their trip to Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin on Tuesday. This will be the first official visit of the President and First Lady of Ukraine to Ireland.