“Let’s meet at Ukraine border and discuss Russian gas,” Slovak PM says. “Come to Kyiv on Friday,” Zelenskyy replies
Robert Fico wants to renew halted Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Slovakia.
Bloomberg: Three tankers with 2M barrels of Russian oil stranded off China as US sanctions bite
Shandong Port Group's terminals are turning away Russian oil shipments after US Treasury sanctions targeted 183 tankers.
Forbes: Russians pray in Kursk as 33-ton Ukrainian Bradley meets them in church battle
A US-made Bradley fighting vehicle challenged Russian positions around Saint Michael's Church in Pogrebki until a drone's grenade found a gap in its protective netting.
Russia’s secret $ 250B war fund threatens economic collapse, ex-Bank of America vice chairman says
The Kremlin forced Russian banks to provide $210-250 billion in preferential loans to defense contractors, matching its official military budget.
Forbes: Drones give Ukraine first tank advantage in war with Russia
For the first time since Russia's invasion, Ukrainian tank crews operate freely near the front while their opponents shoot blindly from miles back.
Newsweek: US corporations are Russia’s biggest foreign tax source, paying $ 1.2 billion in 2023
Tobacco giant Philip Morris International and PepsiCo led American corporate payments to Russia in 2023, contributing $220 million and $135 million respectively in profit taxes.
In 2014, he raised Russian flag in Ukrainian Luhansk. Now, Moscow sent him to die in tourist mat armor
Once a Russian propaganda star, he was sent to assault Ukrainian positions in foam mat armor with 90 rounds. Found unconscious in a trench in 2024, he is the first EU-sanctioned collaborator, now abandoned among the dead.
No reason for Russia to stop in Ukraine if Putin thinks he is winning, US security expert warns
Military advances in Ukraine have convinced Russians they can maintain their offensive despite mounting losses, says Michael DiCianna, a research fellow at the Institute of World Politics.
“Putin too old for peace deals. It is now or never for him in Ukraine,” US security expert says
At 71, Putin no longer has the luxury of playing the long game that marked his previous military campaigns in Ukraine, says Michael DiCianna, a research fellow at the Institute of World Politics.
“Putin fears him.” Zelenskyy courts Trump, dismisses Biden in viral Fridman interview
In a three-hour podcast, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Donald Trump can stop Vladimir Putin. At the same time, he criticized Joe Biden’s approach to handling Russia's war in Ukraine.
“They won’t do this,” says Ukraine’s energy chief as Slovakia threatens power cut
A Russian gas transit deal expiring in January 2025 has sparked threats from Slovakia to cut power exports to Ukraine, but alternative suppliers are already lining up.
Gazprom begins halting Ukraine transit as Europe’s Russian gas era ends
As Gazprom starts reducing gas flow through Ukraine, the current deal is set to expire with a complete halt of deliveries scheduled for 1 January.
Financial Times 2025 global forecast eyes Ukraine war after 2024 predictions proven right
Increased US pressure on Moscow could reshape the war in Ukraine next year, according to the Financial Times' annual forecast, which correctly predicted continued Western support for Kyiv in 2024.
“I take the legitimacy with me.” Georgia’s President exits palace as new pro-Russian leader takes power
Hours after vowing to stay in the palace, Salome Zourabishvili emerged to address supporters before yielding Georgia's presidency to former footballer Mikhail Kavelashvili.