Category: World

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the potential of an accelerated path for Ukraine to affix the EU, which reportedly options within the newest draft of a US peace proposal.

Supply: Zelenskyy throughout a press convention in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Zelenskyy stated that sooner accession relies upon "on our steps and on the steps of our companions, if they don’t seem to be blocked politically".

Quote: "If that is blocked politically, I don't perceive that logic, however I perceive who’s doing it. For us, membership of the European Union is a part of the safety ensures Ukraine is negotiating and relying on."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy added that the accession date issues for Ukraine however stated it’s EU leaders who will resolve it.

Quote: "However it's essential for us that others don't resolve it, that Russia doesn't resolve it and people who block us don't resolve it. Even some EU members, as you understand, block us for political causes, not as a result of one reform or one other hasn't been carried out in Ukraine."

Background:

• The Monetary Instances reported that the model of a peace proposal submitted by Ukrainian and European officers to Washington features a clause stating that Ukraine should develop into a member of the European Union by 1 January 2027.
• EU officers, talking anonymously, instructed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Ukraine becoming a member of the EU by 2027 is just not practical.

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The Port of Odesa continues to function utilizing mills following Russia's assault on power amenities in Odesa Oblast.

Supply: Latifundist.com, a Ukrainian media platform specializing in agribusiness

Particulars: "The ability provide scenario is troublesome. Ports aside from the Port of Odesa are starting to request electrical energy," a consultant of Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), Ukraine's state-run railway operator, mentioned throughout a gathering on enhancing the rail transport of agricultural cargo.

"In the meantime, there isn’t any info on when energy will likely be restored to the Port of Odesa or what limits could also be utilized. All stevedoring firms on the port are working on mills," he added.

Valerii Tkachov, Deputy Head of the Business Division of Ukrzaliznytsia, mentioned that the supply of grain trains to ports had been stored to a minimal throughout the blackout, at round 5 to seven trains per day.

He additionally famous that on Sunday 14 December the ports had operated for under 5 hours in whole all through the day.

At current, over 11,000 rail wagons loaded with grain are heading in the direction of the ports of Larger Odesa.

Background:

• The emergency attributable to a large-scale Russian assault on power infrastructure in Odesa Oblast has been categorised as a state-level emergency.
• On the evening of 13-14 December, Russian forces carried out a large-scale mixed assault on Odesa utilizing drones and missiles. Authorities reported harm to civilian buildings in addition to power and industrial infrastructure.
• A fireplace broke out in grain silos on account of a Russian assault on the port in Odesa.
• Companies on a lot of suburban prepare traces in Odesa Oblast have been quickly cancelled, and the Odesa-Kyiv prepare was delayed because of the assaults, Ukrzaliznytsia reported.

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DeepState, a Ukrainian group of navy analysts, has reported that Russian forces have superior close to 4 settlements within the Pokrovsk and Bakhmut districts in Donetsk Oblast.

Supply: DeepState

Particulars: The Russians have made positive aspects close to the village of Zvanivka within the Bakhmut district and close to the villages of Rivne and Dachne within the Pokrovsk district in addition to inside the metropolis of Pokrovsk itself.

Background:

• On 13 December, sources informed Ukrainska Pravda that town of Siversk in Donetsk Oblast has nearly fully been misplaced and regaining management of town would require reserves.
• On 16 December, DeepState reported that Russian forces had captured Serebrianka in Donetsk Oblast and superior close to 4 settlements.

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Russia attacked Ukraine with 82 drones on the evening of 17-18 December. Ukrainian air defence forces have destroyed 63 UAVs, however hits have been recorded at 12 areas.

Supply: Ukraine's Air Pressure

Particulars: The drones had been launched from the Russian cities of Millerovo, Kursk, Oryol and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

About 50 of the UAVs had been Shahed loitering munitions.

Early reviews indicated that as of 08:30, Ukrainian air defence forces had destroyed or jammed 63 Russian Shahed and Gerbera loitering munitions and drones of different sorts within the nation's north, south, east and centre.

Hits by 19 UAVs had been recorded at 12 areas and the autumn of downed drones (particles) at 8 areas.

Plane, anti-aircraft missile models, digital warfare models, unmanned techniques models and cellular fireplace teams from Ukraine's defence forces had been concerned in repelling the assault.

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Russia's Rostov Governor Yury Slyusar has reported {that a} vessel was broken in Rostov on the night time of 17-18 December, allegedly as a consequence of a drone assault.

Supply: Slyusar on Telegram; Russian Telegram channels and media retailers, citing Rostov-on-Don Mayor Alexander Skryabin

Quote from Slyusar: "A vessel has been broken in Rostov port. Early studies point out casualties among the many crew. Particulars are being confirmed. 4 residents of Bataysk sought medical remedy."

Up to date: Later, Skryabin mentioned that firefighters have been tackling a blaze on a tanker that had "been hit in a strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Casualties have been recorded."

Slyusar said within the morning that two folks had been killed within the assault on the vessel.

Quote from Slyusar: "A cargo vessel caught fireplace as a result of assault on the port of Rostov. Two crew members from these on board have been killed and three injured."

Up to date: The Russian Defence Ministry claimed within the morning that 47 "Ukrainian drones" had been downed in a single day in Russian oblasts.

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Belgian politicians and senior monetary executives have been focused in an intimidation marketing campaign organised by Russian intelligence providers aimed toward persuading Belgium to dam the usage of frozen Russian property for Ukraine, The Guardian has reported, citing sources in European intelligence providers.

Supply: European Pravda citing The Guardian

Particulars: European safety providers stated that the marketing campaign has focused key officers at Euroclear, the securities depository that holds most of Russia's frozen property, in addition to senior Belgian politicians.

The Guardian's sources imagine Russia's Primary Intelligence Directorate, often known as GRU, is accountable, though there’s disagreement over the extent of menace.

"They’ve been engaged within the ways of intimidation for positive," one European official stated.

The Guardian says threats have been made towards Euroclear chief govt Valérie Urbain. Le Monde reported in November that she had been accompanied by a bodyguard for greater than a 12 months.

Euroclear declined to remark, saying that "any potential threats are handled with the utmost precedence and investigated deeply, typically with the help of authorities as acceptable". The workplace of Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever additionally declined to remark.

Background:

• Politico has reported earlier that on the newest EU talks on the ambassador degree, Belgium stated there had been no progress in direction of a joint choice on utilizing Russian property to fund Ukraine.
• Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on 16 December that the possibilities of a choice being adopted or not adopted have been equal.

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The UK has set out how its £600 million army help bundle has strengthened Ukraine's air defences forward of winter.

Supply: UK Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The UK Ministry of Defence mentioned that they’ve already delivered over 1,000 air defence missiles and over 250,000 rounds of air-defence ammunition to Ukraine.

The UK can be offering longer-term assist by shopping for over 20 remotely guided counter-drone turrets, acquired from Estonia, attributable to be delivered in 2026.

Quote: "These new techniques, designed particularly to defeat Shahed-style assault drones at scale and at decrease price, kind a vital a part of Ukraine's future defensive capabilities."

Extra particulars: The UK has additionally introduced that it’s handing over 5 RAVEN air defence techniques, first unveiled in summer time, and can proceed delivering GRAVEHAWK air defence techniques.

Background:

• UK Defence Secretary John Healey has introduced that the UK is investing £600 million (over US$800 million) – the biggest single-year funding – to spice up Ukraine's air defence. He made the announcement on the opening of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group assembly (often known as the Ramstein format).
• On 11 September, Ukraine and the UK signed an settlement on the manufacturing of Ukrainian interceptor drones.
• The UK Ministry of Defence had beforehand introduced that the primary joint challenge could be a brand new superior air defence interceptor drone known as Venture Octopus.

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Thirty-two individuals have been injured in a Russian assault on town of Zaporizhzhia and the encompassing Zaporizhzhia district.

Supply: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Army Administration

Quote: "Already 32 injured: the variety of individuals affected by the enemy assault on Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia district is growing.

Residents of the oblast centre are persevering with to hunt medical assist."

Particulars: Fedorov added that a number of the injured have been discharged after hospital therapy and are persevering with their restoration at house.

Background: On 17 December, Russian forces launched aerial guided bombs on Zaporizhzhia, destroying some residential buildings and damaging an infrastructure facility and an academic establishment.

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Latvian International Minister Baiba Braže has stated that Latvia has contributed to the Ukraine Power Assist Fund.

Supply: Baiba Braže on X (Twitter) on 17 December, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Braže stated that Latvia is allocating a complete of €200,000 to assist Ukraine's energy grid after Russian strikes.

Quote: "Russia is weaponising winter – we should urgently step up assist for Ukraine's vitality sector. Ukraine's safety is our safety.

Background:

• It was additionally reported on 17 December that Luxembourg has made an extra €10 million contribution to the Ukraine Power Assist Fund.
• On 12 December, the G7+ Ukraine Power Coordination Group stated it is able to assist strengthen safety of Ukraine's vitality sector in opposition to Russian air strikes.
• In November, the European Funding Financial institution and the EU introduced greater than €200 million for restoration and vitality resilience in Ukraine.

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