Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual year-end news conference in Moscow, addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the state of the Russian economy. He asserted Russia's strategic initiative in Ukraine and highlighted economic growth despite inflation concerns.
European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of €90 billion for 2026-2027, funded through capital markets. The decision, made on December 19, 2025, came after a consensus could not be reached on directly using frozen Russian assets due to legal and financial concerns.
European Union leaders have reached a significant compromise, approving an interest-free loan of 90 billion Euros for Ukraine to address its financial needs for the years 2026 and 2027. The agreement, announced by European Council President António Costa, came after intense negotiations, with the funds to be raised by the EU on capital markets.
The UK government announced new sanctions on December 18, 2025, targeting 24 additional individuals and entities linked to Russia. These measures include major oil companies like Tatneft and Russneft, along with various trading and chemical firms, in response to Russia's destabilization of Ukraine.
The UK government has initiated an independent review into foreign financial interference in its political and electoral systems, led by former DExEU Permanent Secretary Philip Rycroft. Announced in the House of Commons on December 16, 2025, the review aims to assess financial safeguards and recommend measures against evolving threats, following the conviction of former MEP Nathan Gill for accepting Russian bribes.
Indonesia and Belarus are strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on food security, agricultural development, and technological capacity. Recent high-level talks in Jakarta involved Indonesian Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto and Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich, discussing modern agricultural machinery, fertilizer supplies, and investment opportunities to bolster food resilience.
The Russian Federation officially ceased its membership in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) on December 9, 2025. This withdrawal follows a temporary suspension imposed in March 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, with Russia citing political bias within the organization.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu highlighted the critical role of an independent judiciary for Moldova's economic prosperity and its European Union accession. Speaking at a forum in Chisinau, Munteanu underscored that justice reform is foundational to all other national reforms and essential for attracting investment and ensuring citizen trust.
Russia's Foreign Ministry cautioned the United States against a 'fatal mistake' in Venezuela, warning of unpredictable consequences for the Western Hemisphere. The warning follows a US military strike on a vessel and President Trump's order for a 'total and complete blockade' of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, intensifying pressure on the Nicolás Maduro government.
Austrian authorities have uncovered a pro-Russian agent network, linked to the FSB, that orchestrated a disinformation campaign in German-speaking countries. The network posed as 'Ukrainian Nazis' using fake propaganda to discredit Ukraine and foster anti-Ukrainian sentiment, with fugitive Jan Marsalek identified as a key coordinator.
Norway has signed the convention establishing an International Claims Commission in The Hague, a crucial step in an international mechanism to provide compensation for victims of Russia's war in Ukraine. This commission will assess claims, building on the existing Register of Damage, with the aim of holding Russia accountable.
Mathias Solli has been appointed as the new political adviser to Norway's Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik. Solli, 25, brings a background in political science, law, and communications from the Labour Party, taking over from Sandra Kalland Tenud in the Ministry of Defence.
Norway has officially signed the convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, a pivotal step in the international mechanism designed to provide compensation for victims of Russia's aggression. The commission will assess claims, building on the existing Register of Damage.
Mathias Solli, 25, has been appointed as the new political adviser to Norway's Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik. Solli, a Labour Party member with a background in political science and law, assumed his role on December 16, 2025, bringing experience from youth and local politics to the Ministry of Defence.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin chaired a strategic session on December 17, 2025, to address cyber fraud in the Russian Federation. The session highlighted a notable decrease in registered digital crimes since July 2025, with a 9.5% decline over the past ten months compared to 2024, and a nearly 25% drop in October 2025. This positive trend is attributed to a series of comprehensive legislative and technological measures implemented by the government.
Latvia has contributed €200,000 to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, announced on December 17, 2025, to aid in restoring Ukraine's power grid severely damaged by ongoing Russian attacks. This support is crucial for maintaining energy resilience as winter approaches.
Latvia has contributed €200,000 to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to aid in the restoration of Ukraine's power grid, which has been severely damaged by ongoing Russian attacks. The donation, announced by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, underscores international efforts to bolster Ukraine's energy resilience ahead of winter.
Latvia has formally signed the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine in The Hague. This pivotal step, taken on December 16, 2025, aims to ensure compensation for damages caused by Russia's actions in Ukraine, forming the second pillar of a comprehensive international compensation mechanism.
The UK government has given Roman Abramovich a 90-day deadline to release £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea FC for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, threatening legal action if he fails to comply. The funds have been frozen since the club's 2022 sale.
Japan is set to host its first-ever summit with five Central Asian nations in Tokyo on December 19-20, 2025. The meeting aims to expand collaboration, strengthen supply chains, foster sustainable development, and reinforce a rule-based international order, with discussions on economic security and AI.
