US seeks 'sustainable' peace in Ukraine to avoid new war in '2-4 years,' Rubio says

The Trump administration is working to attain a sustainable peace in Ukraine so that the war with Russia does not begin anew in two to four years, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Jan. 21.

"We are going to engage in making it (the war) end in a way that is sustainable, meaning we don't just want the conflict to end and then restart in two, three, or four years down the road," the recently confirmed top U.S. diplomat said on the CBS Mornings program.

"We want to bring stability."

U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office on Jan. 20, vowed to bring Kyiv and Moscow to the negotiating table and end the full-scale war nearing its third-year anniversary.

He has revealed few details on how he plans to achieve that goal, though Rubio repeatedly said that both Ukraine and Russia will have to make concessions.

"It is a stalemate. It's a war that was started by Russia, but it is now a stalemate, a protracted bloody conflict," Rubio said on CBS Mornings, adding that the war has been "incredibly destructive" for both Ukraine and Russia.

The secretary of state nevertheless said that Ukraine "is paying the biggest price of all to its energy infrastructure, to the people, the lives that are lost, to the millions of Ukrainians that have had to leave their countries and are living overseas."

‘It needs to end’ — State Secretary Rubio’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine
As state secretary, Marco Rubio will oversee the implementation of the president’s foreign policy, including that relating to Russia’s full-scale war — which wasn’t directly referred to during Donald Trump’s inauguration speech.
US seeks 'sustainable' peace in Ukraine to avoid new war in '2-4 years,' Rubio says

Ukraine has struggled to contain the Russian advance as the battlefield began tilting in Moscow's favor in late 2024. Facing increasingly difficult manpower shortages, the Ukrainian military was forced to steadily cede ground to Russian forces in eastern Donetsk Oblast.

In turn, Russia is believed to have lost between 700,000-800,000 soldiers killed and wounded, though it demonstrated the capability to replace the losses with new contract soldiers. The country's economy also faces economic headwinds amid soaring inflation and tightening sanctions against its energy sector.

In a rare criticism, Trump said on Jan. 20 that Russian President Vladimir Putin is "destroying Russia" by not seeking a deal to end the war. The new U.S. president said he plans to soon meet his Russian counterpart, though he admitted uncertainty about whether the Kremlin's chief seeks a negotiated settlement.

Since his electoral campaign in 2024, Trump has repeatedly claimed that the full-scale invasion would not have started if he had been in office at the time and pledged to broker an end within 24 hours. He and his team have since shifted rhetoric and acknowledged complexities in resolving the war.

When asked about the expired 24-hour deadline, Rubio evaded commenting on any possible timeframe and merely said that ending the war would be the "priority" and "policy of the United States."

‘A team of attention-seekers’ — Ukrainians react to Trump’s Inauguration speech
Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president on Jan. 20, giving a speech containing a bombastic series of announcements and executive orders, not to mention the declaration of two national emergencies. Setting out the goals of his second term, with billionaires Elon Musk, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Me…
US seeks 'sustainable' peace in Ukraine to avoid new war in '2-4 years,' Rubio says


https://ift.tt/ZsuJpyK
General Staff: Russia has lost 823,980 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 823,980 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 22.

This number includes 1,950 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,844 tanks, 20,485 armored fighting vehicles, 34,837 vehicles and fuel tanks, 22,194 artillery systems, 1,262 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,050 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 331 helicopters, 23,039 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian soldier reports harsh conditions, fatal accidents in regiment; unit launches investigation
Key developments on Jan. 21: * Ukrainian soldier reports harsh conditions, fatal accidents in regiment; unit launches investigation * Ukraine attacks Russian oil depot, aviation plant, command post overnight, military says * Ukraine’s SBU detains chief military psychiatrist over suspected illici…
General Staff: Russia has lost 823,980 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022


https://ift.tt/l4dpagS
Supervisory board extends arms procurement head's contract, initiates audit following proposed merger

The supervisory board of Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) extended a 1-year contract to Maryna Bezrukova, the current director of the DPA, the agency announced on Jan. 21.

The contract extensions comes after Defense Minister Rustem Umerov walked back on plans to merge the Defense Procurement Agency and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency, following a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards established "to perform their tasks and supporting their independence and anti-corruption policies."

In addition to the contract extension, the board said in a statement that it had initiated a "comprehensive audit of the Agency's activities," which will involved NATO's International Board of Auditors (IBAN).

Bezrukova, whose contract was extended by a unanimous vote, is a former employee of Ukraine’s energy company Ukrenergo, before being appointed to head the DPA.

Separate boards were set up for Ukraine’s lethal and non-lethal procurement agencies, complying with NATO standards, in the fall of 2024.

The defense procurement sector was reshaped in December 2023, aiming to meet NATO standards. The DPA, first established in August 2022, was to focus solely on lethal aid. Meanwhile, the DOT was formed to purchase non-lethal aid such as food and clothing.

Arms procurement head should keep post, supervisory board says
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency but changed his mind after a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards should be established.
Supervisory board extends arms procurement head's contract, initiates audit following proposed merger




https://ift.tt/QoNAM2Z
Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 15 over past day

Russian attacks against Ukraine injured at least 15 civilians over the past day, regional authorities reported on Jan. 21.

Russia attacked Ukraine with four Iskander-M ballistic missiles overnight, the Air Force said. Moscow also launched 131 Shahed-type drones and decoy drones, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on their Telegram channel.

Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 72 drones, while 59 other drones were lost in the airspace without causing further damage.

Three people were injured in Russian attacks against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak reported on his Telegram channel. These included two railway workers, Ukrainian Railways said.

Three people were also injured in Russian strikes in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on his Telegram channel. The casualties were reported in Kostiantynivka, Lyman, and Druzhkivske.

Two police officers were injured during a Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

In Kherson Oblast, six people were injured in strikes against Kherson and 38 other settlements, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

A 49-year-old man was wounded in a Russian attack on the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported on his Telegram channel.

Russia’s primitive glide bombs are still outmatching Ukraine’s air defenses, killing more civilians
When a glide bomb exploded at an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, the 13 dead, and 122 injured marked the highest number of civilian casualties in a Russian attack on Ukraine in almost two years. Despite being one of the most primitive and numerous weapons in the Russian
Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 15 over past day


https://ift.tt/ldTw6zX
General Staff: Russia has lost 822,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 822,030 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 21.

This number includes 1,600 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,833 tanks, 20,477 armored fighting vehicles, 34,682 vehicles and fuel tanks, 22,134 artillery systems, 1,262 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,050 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 331 helicopters, 22,898 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says he’s taking back Panama Canal; doesn’t mention Ukraine
“Golden age of America begins right now,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 822,030 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022


https://ift.tt/6SvjC3K
Macron warns of prolonged Ukraine war, urges stronger European defense strategy

French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned on Jan. 20 that Russia’s war against Ukraine is far from over, as Donald Trump, who vowed to quickly end the conflict, assumed office again.

"Let us not delude ourselves," Macron said earlier during his New Year’s address to the French armed forces, according to AFP. "This conflict will not end tomorrow or the day after," he added, with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaching next month.

Trump has previously pledged to end the war "in 24 hours" without detailing his plan and later extended the timeline to several months.

Speaking in Cesson-Sévigné in northwestern France, Macron emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s position. "It is essential to provide Ukraine with the means to endure and to negotiate from a position of strength in the future," he said. He also stressed the need to ensure Ukraine’s security and prevent a resurgence of war on its territory.

Macron renewed his call for Europe to take greater responsibility for its defense, a point he has often raised. "There can be no peace and security in Europe without Europeans," he said, referencing the war in Ukraine and Europe’s role in future negotiations.

Trump’s questioning of NATO commitments and his remarks about reducing support for Ukraine have sparked fresh urgency among European nations to reassess their defense capabilities.

In 2023, France approved a record 413-billion-euro ($450 billion) military budget for 2024-2030, marking its most significant defense spending boost in decades.

Macron also directed the government and armed forces to submit plans by May to mobilize more young volunteers to support the military. This appears to acknowledge the end of his long-championed universal national service project. "In order to build up this reserve, the Defense and Citizenship Day will be revamped," he added, without elaborating.

Currently, France requires all citizens to participate in a one-day "Defense and Citizenship" program at age 18, which introduces the country’s military forces and includes a French language test. Macron called for better efforts to identify willing volunteers.

During his 2017 presidential campaign, Macron proposed a month-long mandatory national service, aiming to expose young people to military life. The army’s lukewarm response led to the government pivoting toward a civic service initiative instead.

Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says he’s taking back Panama Canal; doesn’t mention Ukraine
“Golden age of America begins right now,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Macron warns of prolonged Ukraine war, urges stronger European defense strategy


https://ift.tt/kr0wIZX
General Staff: Russia has lost 820,430 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 820,430 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 20.

This number includes 1,690 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,821 tanks, 20,454 armored fighting vehicles, 34,488 vehicles and fuel tanks, 22,074 artillery systems, 1,262 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,049 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 331 helicopters, 22,768 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits 2 oil depots in Russia overnight; Zelensky sanctions top pro-Russian politicians
Key developments on Jan. 19: * Ukraine hits 2 oil depots in Russia overnight * Zelensky slaps sanctions on Ukraine’s top pro-Russian politicians * Lack of medical treatment, problems with unit transfers most common causes of appeals, new military ombudsman says * Ukrainian troops withdraw from,…
General Staff: Russia has lost 820,430 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022


https://ift.tt/kqFjD3s
150,000 Russian soldiers killed fighting Ukraine in 2024, Syrskyi says

Russian forces suffered their heaviest losses last year since the start of the full-scale war, with total military losses reaching 434,000 soldiers, including approximately 150,000 killed in combat during 2024, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a Jan. 19 interview with the Ukrainian news outlet TSN.

"In this year of fighting, (Russian President Vladimir Putin) lost more than in the previous two years of the war (combined)," Syrskyi said.

As of Jan. 19, Russia has lost a total of 818,740 troops since the full-scale invasion began, Ukraine's General Staff reported. The estimate, which is broadly in-line with estimates made by Western intelligence agencies, likely includes those killed, captured, wounded, and missing.

Russia has gained ground in eastern Ukraine and Kursk Oblast over the past year but at the cost of heavy casualties.

Russian losses reached record highs in November and December, with a daily high of 2,030 troops lost in November, marking the highest daily loss since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Moscow does not disclose its casualty figures, though a Defense Ministry official recently let slip that the department received 48,000 requests to identify missing soldiers.

According to a joint investigation by BBC Russia and Mediazona, journalists have identified the names of 88,726 Russian soldiers who died during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the outlets' conclusions for the year, 2024 will likely mark the "war's deadliest year," with a current count of over 20,000 confirmed deaths over the past 12 months — although final conclusions cannot yet be made as data on casualties continues to emerge.

In December, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in a rare statement that Ukraine had lost 43,000 soldiers on the battlefield since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

When asked during the wide-ranging interview about the Ukrainian losses, Syrskyi broadly replied that there were "many times" less Ukrainian losses than those sustained by the Russians.

At the current rate of Russian military casualties, Russian losses are expected to surpass 1 million troops within six months.

Ukraine producing its own air defense systems, Syrskyi says
“We have the capacities and capabilities to create, and we are working on creating, our own domestic air defense complex,” Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said on Jan. 19.
150,000 Russian soldiers killed fighting Ukraine in 2024, Syrskyi says




https://ift.tt/OwEeYsi
Russia condemns 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and UK

Russia criticized a newly announced 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and the U.K., rejecting any cooperation between the two nations in the Azov Sea. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Jan. 18 declared such claims to the region a "gross interference" in Russia’s affairs, claiming they would face firm resistance.

The Kremlin expressed concern on Jan. 17 over potential deployment of British military assets in Ukraine under the agreement, particularly in the Azov Sea. Russia views the sea as part of its territory, citing its proximity to Russian borders, areas of southern Ukraine under Russian occupation, and Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Zakharova dismissed the agreement as meaningless from Russia’s perspective, calling it a "PR campaign" by Kyiv. She added that Moscow considers the Sea of Azov an "internal sea."

The partnership, announced on Jan. 16 during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Kyiv, includes commitments to strengthen military cooperation in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov. Starmer pledged to support Ukraine with robust security guarantees if negotiations for a ceasefire with Russia move forward.

The agreement marked Starmer’s first visit to Ukraine as prime minister and highlighted the U.K.'s continued support for President Volodymyr Zelensky. Starmer described the long-term partnership as a commitment to Ukraine’s security and sovereignty.

Russia’s objections underline ongoing tensions over control of the Azov Sea, a strategic waterway central to both economic and military interests in the region. Moscow’s position signals potential challenges to Ukraine and U.K.’s efforts to enhance cooperation in contested areas.

UK to play ‘full part’ in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Starmer says
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Kyiv.
Russia condemns 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and UK


https://ift.tt/I86DMu1
3 killed following Russia's attack on Kyiv

Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia launched an attack on Kyiv early in the morning on Jan. 18, killing at least three people, according to city authorities.

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, windows were shattered, and smoke filled the entrance of a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Several cars caught fire following the attack.

A water supply pipeline was also damaged in the area. Repair crews have been dispatched to the site, according to Klitschko.  

The glass entrance to the Lukyanivska metro station was also damaged, Klitschko said, adding that the station is currently closed for entry and exit, with trains bypassing it without stopping.

Debris were detected in the city's Desnianskyi district, Kyiv city military administration head Tymur Tkachenko reported.

‘It’s not enough’ — Ukrainians react to Biden’s farewell speech
In his farewell speech from the White House on Jan.15, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden took the opportunity to highlight his achievements in office in an attempt to help cement his legacy. Yet, despite being one of the world’s biggest international crises that spanned much of Biden’s term
3 killed following Russia's attack on Kyiv


https://ift.tt/IouVsd4
Italy's upcoming military aid package to Ukraine includes 'modern weaponry,' Umerov says

Ukraine will receive a new military aid package from Italy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Jan. 16 after meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Kyiv.

"(The military aid package) is already on its way to Ukraine," Umerov said. "This is modern weaponry that will help our soldiers to deliver powerful strikes against the enemy."

The two ministers agreed to strengthen defense cooperation between Kyiv and Rome. The countries also plan to launch joint ventures and other initiatives to support the Ukrainian defense industry.

According to Umerov, Crosetto backed the continuation of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meetings, known as the Ramstein format.

"This is critical for providing everything our defenders need," the Ukrainian minister said.

Crosetto also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and discussed security guarantees for Ukraine.

Italy's 10 military aid packages to Ukraine have included advanced weapons systems like the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense units. The country's cabinet approved a decree on Dec. 23 extending the supply of military aid to Kyiv through the end of 2025.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement
Key developments on Jan. 16: * Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement, pledges $3.6 billion in military support * Ukrainian drones strike oil depot, gunpowder factory in Russia * Ukrainian paratroopers capture 27 Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast * Ukraine extends cooperation with Norwe…
Italy's upcoming military aid package to Ukraine includes 'modern weaponry,' Umerov says


https://ift.tt/dQyOtVJ
General Staff: Russia has lost 815,820 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 815,820 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 17.

This number includes 1,670 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 9,803 tanks, 20,381 armored fighting vehicles, 34,256 vehicles and fuel tanks, 22,019 artillery systems, 1,262 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,046 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 331 helicopters, 22,566 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

How Ukraine captured a North Korean POW, told by the soldiers who took part
Editor’s note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. It was a month-long mission with one primary goal — capturing a North Korean soldier alive. One of the biggest obstacles facing the…
General Staff: Russia has lost 815,820 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022


https://ift.tt/4NpOL3S
Russian drone attack in Kyiv Oblast injures child

Russia launched a drone attack against Kyiv Oblast the evening of Jan. 16, causing a fire and injuring a child, Mykola Kalashnyk, acting head of the regional military administration, reported.

Air defense units intercepted targets over an unnamed town in Kyiv Oblast, Kalashnyk said. Falling wreckage from the downed drones injured a 12-year-old boy.  

The boy has been hospitalized and is receiving medical attention, Kalashnyk said. No other casualties were reported.

The falling debris also caused a fire to break out in a cafe and the attached boiler room. The fire, which covered an area of around 200 square meters, has now been contained. The blast broke windows in a nearby building.  

Russian drone attacks against Kyiv Oblast and the city of Kyiv surged in late fall 2024. Drone strikes have targeted residential areas and critical energy infrastructure in the region.

As Moscow intensifies strikes, it also aims to ramp up domestic drone production, with plans to manufacture 6,000 Shahed-style attack drones per year at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan.

Ukrainian military releases footage of rare Russian reconnaissance drone downing
“A rare bird was shot down by anti-aircraft gunners and pilots of the 63rd Brigade — a Russian experimental reconnaissance drone Merlin-VR,” the brigade’s statement read.
Russian drone attack in Kyiv Oblast injures child


https://ift.tt/Ac3dPBL
Members of Trump's team admit Ukraine-Russia peace settlement could take months, Reuters reports

Several advisors to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have accepted a timeline of at least several months to strike a deal to settle the Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported on Jan. 15, citing two Trump associates who directly spoke to the president-elect about the war.

Trump has previously promised to end Russia's war against Ukraine in 24 hours. As Trump's inauguration approaches, Keith Kellogg Trump's choice for special Ukraine peace envoy has said the Trump administration aims to end Russia's war against Ukraine within 100 days after inauguration.

Trump's campaign promise to end the war in a day was a lack of appreciation for intractability of the conflict due to its complexity, and did not consider how long it would take to staff a new administration, the two Trump associates said.

Trump has voiced readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin the process of establishing a potential peace agreement.

Kellogg is also slated to meet with Ukrainian officials following Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, and will also visit other European capitals to discuss the war. Trump has called for more European leadership to end the war, including the potential of European peacekeepers.

Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for secretary of state, said on Jan. 15 that both sides need to be "realistic," in a potential ceasefire agreement. Rubio suggested a concession from Russia would be to not advance any further, while Ukraine's concession would be to give its territories currently under Russian occupation.

Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the U.S. can not approach peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia as a neutral mediator, and recognize Russia as an aggressor.

‘Trump can be decisive in ending war’ — Zelensky on Ukraine’s outlook for 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky, joined alongside his wife First Lady Olena Zelenska, delivered a candid, wide-ranging interview on Ukrainian television released on Jan. 2, laying out his vision for Ukraine’s prospects of a potential peace in 2025. “How many days did 2024 have? 1,000?” Zelensky joked…
Members of Trump's team admit Ukraine-Russia peace settlement could take months, Reuters reports


https://ift.tt/9XAuYBF
NATO, EU membership, military strength are strategic security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelensky says

NATO and EU membership, as well as the country's own military strength are key security guarantees for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Jan. 15.

With U.S. President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in days, Zelensky and European allies are preparing for a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, including a proposed ceasefire and peace negotiations.

"We want to end the war with a just peace, but for that, we need to be sure that Russia will not return to wage war against Ukraine. We need strong security guarantees," Zelensky said.

Continued weapons shipments, NATO accession, and EU membership are key security guarantees, Zelensky said, noting that the country cannot engage in "games" reducing the size of its military. Ahead of potential peace negotiation, a large military was "the only security guarantee," Zelensky added.

Zelensky's comment on the size of Ukraine's military come as Russian President Vladimir Putin is set demand that Ukraine cut its ties with NATO and become "a neutral state with a limited military" during upcoming talks with Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported.

Zelensky touted the size of Ukraine's military during the press conference, stating that the country's military now comprises 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas.

Ukrainian officials are expected to meet with members of Trump's administration shortly after his inauguration on Jan. 20 to discuss the details of peace negotiations.

Despite unease over Trump's stance on Ukraine, there have been reports that European allies have grown optimistic Trump will not abandon Ukraine.

Trump met with Zelensky during his election campaign and a second time following his U.S. presidential election victory on Dec. 7 on the sidelines of the Notre Dame Cathedrals re-opening in a trilateral meeting with Macron.

Trump has voiced he is ready to meet with Putin once he takes office to spearhead peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, a move Ukraine and European allies are approaching cautiously.

Putin to demand Ukraine never join NATO during talks with Trump, Bloomberg reports
Russia will allegedly demand that Ukraine cut its ties with NATO and become “a neutral state with a limited military” during talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 15, citing its sources.
NATO, EU membership, military strength are strategic security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelensky says


https://ift.tt/v9qEzfX
US sanctions Russian entity operating occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Jan. 15 sanctioned Russia's Federal State Unitary Enterprise Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a Moscow-created entity that took control of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant in the partially occupied oblast.

The updated sanctions list also targets Vladislav Isaev, the company’s CEO since April 2024.

In October 2022, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree establishing the Russian entity to oversee the captured power plant. This followed an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declared the facilities of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant as Russian federal property.

Russian forces have occupied the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear station in Europe, since March 2022, and have been using the site in ways that increase the risk of a nuclear disaster. Throughout its occupation, the plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.

The region, particularly the city of Zaporizhzhia and the areas around the nuclear power plant, has endured regular missile strikes, artillery shelling, and drone attacks.

On Jan. 8, Russian forces targeted an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia, killing 13 people and injuring 122, including a child, according to State Emergency Service.

Will Europe put ‘boots on the ground’ for peace in Ukraine? We asked top Nordic, Baltic officials
Just days out from the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the future of Russia’s war against Ukraine is dominated by a great unknown: whether the incoming president will manage to push Moscow to stop its advance on the battlefield, or whether he will disengage and perhaps
US sanctions Russian entity operating occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant


https://ift.tt/UEhbt7G

Unordered List

Popular Posts