Category: World

In 2025, the European Union will continue to provide economic, humanitarian, and military help to Ukraine. By the end of the year, the EU will have allocated €4.2 billion, and in 2025, it will transfer €1.5 billion euros each month from the Russian Federation's frozen assets.

Source: António Costa, President of the European Council, at a press conference on 1 December

Quote: "This month, the European Union will provide Ukraine with an additional 4,2 billion euros to support the Ukrainian budget.

On top of this, starting next month, we plan to provide, for a full year, every month, 1,5 billion euros of assistance. This money comes from the proceeds of Russia’s frozen assets and can also be used for military purposes," Costa said.

The President of the European Council also stated that the EU would continue to put pressure on the Russian economy and is already working on the 15th package of sanctions to hamper the Russian Federation's ability to wage war on Ukraine.

Background: On Sunday 1 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with António Costa, the next President of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who are visiting Kyiv.

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Russian and Syrian planes attacked the city of Idlib, killing 4 people. The rebels captured several cities near Aleppo, including the Sheikh Najjar industrial zone.

Russian and Syrian planes struck the rebel – held city of Idlib on Sunday, the second day of intense bombing in northern Syria. This is reported by Reuters with reference to sources in the Syrian army, reports UNN.

Details

According to residents, one of the attacks was on a crowded residential area in the center of Idlib, which is the largest city in the rebel enclave near the Turkish border. There, about four million people live in temporary tents and dwellings.

As a result of the strike, at least four people were killed and dozens were injured.

The Syrian army and its ally Russia say their goal is to shelter rebel groups, and deny attacks on civilians.

On Saturday, Russian and Syrian planes bombed other cities in Idlib province, which has completely come under rebel control.

Rebels broke into the city of Aleppo, located east of Idlib province, on Friday evening, forcing the army to relocate, the biggest challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in recent years.

The Syrian army said dozens of its soldiers were killed in the attack.

On Sunday, the army said it had managed to recapture several cities that had been captured by rebels in recent days.

In turn, the rebels said they had advanced further south from Aleppo and captured the city of Hansir, trying to cut off the main supply route of the army to Aleppo.

Rebel sources said they also seized the Sheikh Najjar estate, one of the country's main industrial zones.

Addition

Today, on December 1, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Moscow changed the commander in Syria due to the losses of the Russian military in the Republic against the background of the rebel offensive.

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, António Costa, President of the European Council, and Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, visited the Wall of Remembrance on Independence Square in Kyiv on 1 December.

Source: Kos on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kallas, Kos and Costa arrived in Kyiv on a visit on Sunday, 1 December.

They visited the Wall of Remembrance on Independence Square.

"Humbled to walk to the Wall of Remembrance and the Maidan square, a place of hope, dignity and resilience. Where people of Ukraine shared loud and clear their dream of joining our European Union," Kos tweeted.

The delegation also noted that Ukraine is now making great strides on its European path.

The delegation visiting the Wall of Remembrance Photo: Х (Twitter)

Background:

• At its meeting on 27 November, the European Parliament approved the new European Commission headed by Ursula von der Leyen, formed after the European elections in 2024, which will commence work on 1 December.
• On 29 November, President of the European Council Charles Michel officially transferred his powers to former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa.

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In Yekaterinburg, a fire broke out at the polystyrene-Stroy plant, which produces materials for UAVs and camouflage from thermal imagers. The company supplied products for the Russian army to the front.

In Yekaterinburg, Russia, the polystyrene-Stroy plant, which produces polystyrene and products made from it, caught fire. The company's materials are used, in particular, by the Russian army at the front for shelter from thermal imagers and for the production of composite drones. This was announced by the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol Petr Andryushchenko on Sunday, December 1, writes UNN.

Yekaterinburg. Suddenly, the plant of SK LLC "polystyrene-Stroy" for the production of polystyrene and products made from it caught fire. In particular," foamed polyethylene Ecofol " is used by the Russians at the front for shelter from thermal imagers. As well as other products used in the production of composite drones

– wrote Andryushchenko in Telegram.

To recap

In the Russian city of Kaluga, on the night of November 25, drones attacked not only an oil depot, but also the Typhoon military plant, which produces military electronics and components for Russian air defense.

The Ukrainian authorities have reported that a Russian Shahed UAV destroyed a house in the Pryluky district of Chernihiv Oblast.

Source: Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: A local resident, 58, managed to escape from the burning house.

She suffered minor burns.

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The president of Ukraine is building a strategy for relations with potential US President Trump. Zelensky is trying to make sure that Putin is responsible for the failure of peace talks.

President Vladimir Zelensky's diplomatic maneuvers in relations with Donald Trump are to make sure that the blame for any unsuccessful peace initiative will be placed on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. This is reported by Politico, reports UNN.

Details

According to the publication, The appointment of US President-elect Donald Trump Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser and retired honored General of the United States, to the post of Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia reassured Kiev.

Kellogg has publicly argued that any agreement to end the nearly three-year war of attrition must include strong security guarantees for Ukraine to ensure lasting peace and prevent a new Russian invasion.

Trump appoints retired general Kellogg as special representative for UkraineNov 27 2024, 06:13 PM • 26814 views

And unlike other members of Trump's circle, Kellogg welcomed President Joe Biden's decision to approve Ukraine's use of long-range missiles supplied by the United States to strike targets in Russia, saying it gave Trump "more leverage" and adding that "it gives President Trump more opportunities to turn away from it.

Kellogg is a man with whom Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his entourage can work, and the Ukrainian leader is already deftly adapting to the changed politics in Washington and the changing political dynamics in Europe, demonstrating his willingness to sit down at the negotiating table. This is exactly what his American advisers are calling for, leaving Putin the opportunity to be Mr. "no", risking incurring the wrath of Trump

– notes Politico.

The publication notes that this is demonstrated by Zelensky's interview on Friday with the British TV channel Sky News. In it, the president suggested that if Ukraine is accepted into NATO,

Russia will retain de facto control over the Donbas and Crimea, but without Kiev recognizing their annexation or official cession of territory, which will require changing the Constitution of Ukraine.

Politico believes that the probability that Trump will approve Ukraine's membership in NATO is even less than the probability that Biden will reluctantly agree. There will be legal problems related to the fact that the alliance's collective defense obligations will not apply to the occupied parts of Ukraine. And Putin and his aides have repeatedly made it clear that they will never agree to Ukraine's accession to NATO. Just thinking about it is a wake – up call for an angry bull.

However, it is possible that this statement of Zelensky had other goals, writes Politico. the president probably wanted to demonstrate a willingness to consider various options, while the Ukrainian leader made it clear that he wanted to work with Trump one-on-one. "I want to share my ideas with him and I want to hear him," Zelensky said.

As former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pointed out, Kiev understands that it will have to rebuild and make sure that it does not get into an unpleasant situation with Trump, so Zelensky emphasizes the importance of finding diplomatic solutions.

Zelensky's task in relations with Trump is to make sure that the blame for the failure of any peace initiative falls on Putin.

In exchange for NATO membership: Zelensky called the condition under which he is ready to "end the war"Nov 29 2024, 07:04 PM • 32033 views

Russian forces attacked a bus in the Dniprovskyi district of the city of Kherson with a UAV at around 08:15, leaving at least three people dead.

Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration

Details: Eight more Kherson residents were injured.

All people injured in the attack have been taken to hospital.

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The United States has approved the sale of spare parts for the F-16 and radar systems to Taiwan in the amount of 3 385 million. China has protested over the deal and the transit of President Taiwan through the United States.

China has announced its intention to take "decisive countermeasures" in response to the US-approved arms sale to Taiwan. This is reported by Reuters, reports UNN.

Details

According to the Pentagon, the United States is ready to sell Taiwan spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft and radar systems, totaling 3 385 million.

In addition, China protested over the transit of President Taiwan through the United States, calling Washington's actions a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC.

This is another escalation of tension between Beijing and Washington amid support for a democratically ruled island that China considers part of its territory.

US, Taiwan navies quietly held drills – ReutersMay 14 2024, 06:17 AM • 16967 views

Clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers are taking place in the center of Tbilisi. Special forces use water cannons and smoke bombs, and protesters respond with pyrotechnics.

In Tbilisi, security forces again disperse protesters using water cannons and smoke bombs. this is reported by the BBC, reports UNN.

Details

Clashes between protesters and security forces continue in the center of Tbilisi, on Rustaveli Avenue. Special forces began dispersing the demonstrators using water cannons and smoke bombs. The protesters respond with pyrotechnic devices.

At the scene of the incident, law enforcement officers became more active, who are moving to Republic Square from three directions. Tensions persist.

Police used water cannons against protesters in central TbilisiNov 30 2024, 09:34 PM • 11587 views

On Sunday, traffic restrictions will be in place in the centre of Kyiv due to events that will be attended by foreign delegations.

Source: State Security Administration of Ukraine (SSA)

Quote: "On 1 December, due to security measures involving foreign delegations, temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced in Kyiv in the central part of the city.

Please take this into account when travelling around the city."

Details: The SSA issued a reminder that heads of foreign states, governments, parliaments and international organisations who are on official or working visits to Ukraine are provided with state protection by the State Security Administration of Ukraine.

Members of the SSA, together with the police, have the right to temporarily restrict or prohibit the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on streets and roads while foreign delegations are driving through. They can also prevent citizens from entering certain areas and facilities and require them to remain in or leave certain places.

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