Financial Times

Baltic leaders call on NATO members to reintroduce conscription and significantly increase military spending to Cold War levels to deter potential Russian aggression.

The United States and Japan are set to announce the largest update to the security treaty in more than 60 years, which includes restructuring the U. S. military command in Japan and strengthening operational planning and military exercises between the two countries, due to shared concerns about China's influence.

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said that despite Washington's calls to limit strikes on russia's energy infrastructure, Kyiv is forced to fight with the resources it has.

The European Union plans to circumvent the EU Treaty's ban on arms purchases from its budget in order to increase military aid to Ukraine.

Slovakia and Hungary refused to participate in financing a Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine, citing their opposition to the provision of lethal weapons and their belief that the conflict has no military solution.

Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, believes that Europe should create its own version of the Israeli Iron Dome air defense system.

If Germany gives Ukraine long-range Taurus missiles, it will take about two years to replenish Germany's stockpile.

The new mobilization law aims to find more than 300,000 recruits to replace the exhausted soldiers currently on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to sources cited by The Financial Times.

European companies continue to supply equipment for the Arctic LNG 2 project, one of the largest shareholders of which is billionaire Gennady Timchenko, a close friend of Vladimir Putin.

Nord Stream is suing insurers for about 400 million euros for refusing to cover the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.

The Czech Republic's initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine from third countries has made positive progress, but a positive result can only be assessed when the appropriate number of shells are delivered to Ukraine, according to President Zelenskyy.

The European Commission may submit a proposal to use the profits from frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense industry.

During his visit to Prague, Macron will discuss France's position on the Czech plan to purchase weapons for Ukraine outside of Europe.

Zara is preparing to reopen 50 of its more than 80 stores in Ukraine, which it closed after Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Argentina's President Javier Milei plans to hold a Latin American summit in 2024 to support Ukraine as it fights against Russian aggression.

The "Made in Ukraine" project will prioritize domestic production of military components, weapons, and goods to increase Ukraine's self-sufficiency in the face of delays in foreign aid.

Europe must increase military spending to deter a more aggressive Russia, says Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

EU countries are trying to raise $1. 5 billion to buy artillery shells from abroad to strengthen Ukraine's defense against Russia.

A major data leak revealed that China may have hired a private company to spy on foreign governments and monitor its own citizens.

The European Union has agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, which for the first time targets Chinese and Indian companies accused of supporting Moscow.

The Chairman of NATO's Military Committee said that Western countries were too optimistic in 2023 that Ukraine would quickly defeat Russia with the weapons and training provided, and that they should now be careful not to be too pessimistic about Ukraine's chances in 2024.

NATO is developing plans to deploy the Alliance's armed forces across Europe in response to Russia's intensification of its defense industry and military buildup over the past year.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Brussels should encourage the European defense industry to consolidate and increase production.

Russia is planning to recruit 400,000 additional soldiers in 2024 without announcing a general mobilization, according to Ukrainian officials cited by the Financial Times.

Hungary has blocked EU sanctions against Russia over proposed measures against Chinese companies.

The European Union hopes to disburse the first tranche of a new €50 billion financial support package to Ukraine within weeks, but further disbursements will depend on Ukraine's compliance with reform requirements.

The G7 and the EU discuss a plan to use more than $250 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets as collateral to finance Ukraine's postwar reconstruction.

Belgium proposes to use the frozen Russian assets as collateral for the issuance of debt for Ukraine's reconstruction.

The head of Ukrainian intelligence predicted that Ukraine will launch a new counteroffensive in the spring, as soon as the Russian offensive is exhausted.

Five EU leaders call on the bloc to fulfill its promises and provide Ukraine with enough weapons.