The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution on December 10th to strengthen international cooperation and lessen the repercussions of the Chornobyl disaster, with 97 nations voting in favor, but Russia, Belarus, China, North Korea, and the U.S. opposed it. The resolution, which uses the correct Ukrainian spelling, highlights Russia’s actions and their threat to nuclear safety, as Russia attempted to downplay its attacks on Chornobyl facilities. The resolution also points out the lasting impact of the 1986 disaster. The U.S. opposed the resolution due to disagreements about references to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, despite continued support for nuclear safety initiatives.
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The European Union has agreed to indefinitely immobilize the Russian Central Bank’s assets held within its jurisdiction. This action, taken under Article 122, aims to prevent the transfer of €210 billion and safeguard against potential economic damage. The EU’s move also seeks to protect these funds from being used by other nations, such as the United States, in a future settlement. This long-term ban is a crucial component of the EU’s proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine, though Belgium has raised concerns and set forth three key conditions for its approval. These include full risk mutualization, liquidity safeguards for Euroclear, and complete burden-sharing among member states.
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The European Union has implemented new emergency powers to prevent the unfreezing of Russian assets, a move that undermines any potential post-war peace settlement involving the return of these funds. These powers, effective until Russia ceases its aggression and provides reparations, significantly diminish the influence of pro-Kremlin countries within the EU in relation to the release of frozen assets. The legal workaround overhauls existing rules requiring unanimous consent for sanctions renewal, removing the ability of individual nations to block continued sanctions, and will protect the EU from potential economic instability and hybrid attacks. This decision was made in response to the potential negative impacts of returning the assets to Russia.
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At an EU General Affairs Council meeting, a workaround for technical negotiations with Ukraine was announced to bypass Hungary’s veto, according to European Pravda. This new process, spearheaded by Danish and EU officials, allows Ukraine to continue its reform process through “frontloading,” ensuring progress even without officially opening Cluster 1. While unanimity is still needed for official chapter closure, this approach allows for the continuation of negotiations, supported by 26 member states. The technical process has been launched for Clusters 1, 2, and 6, and Cyprus, the next EU presidency, is expected to continue this process.
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Ukraine has conducted its first-ever strike on Russia’s offshore oil infrastructure, disabling the Filanovsky platform in the Caspian Sea. Operated by the SBU’s “Alpha” unit, the long-range drone attack resulted in at least four impacts, halting oil and gas production from over 20 wells on the platform. The targeted platform, a key asset of Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft, holds significant reserves and exports through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. This unprecedented strike, far from the front lines, signifies Ukraine’s growing ability to target Russian infrastructure that supports its war effort.
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The Trump administration is reportedly considering forming a new alliance, potentially called the Core 5 (C5), as an alternative to the G7, which would include the United States, China, India, Japan, and Russia. This concept was discussed in an unpublished version of the National Security Strategy, though the White House denies its existence. The potential alliance excludes European nations and is seen by some as a departure from previous policies. The G7, a group of seven developed nations, currently focuses on coordinating economic policies and has recently discussed increasing sanctions on Russia and potentially seizing frozen Russian assets.
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Two Ukrainian children, Misha and Liza, were reportedly sent to the Songdowon International Children’s Camp in North Korea, a move viewed by some as propaganda. This action highlights the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea, who are allegedly exploiting Ukrainian children for strategic partnerships. The legal expert, Kateryna Rashevska, condemns this as a war crime, and the UN General Assembly has demanded the children’s immediate return. These actions are viewed differently by each nation, but the international community is beginning to see the implications of this new friendship.
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Ukraine has begun utilizing its domestically produced Sapsan ballistic missile in combat against Russia, as confirmed by President Zelenskyy. Details regarding the number of missiles deployed and their targets remain undisclosed, with the intent of maintaining strategic ambiguity. The Sapsan, with a potential range of up to 500 km and a Mach 5.2 speed, represents a significant advancement in Ukraine’s military capabilities. The system mirrors Russia’s Iskander-M and offers Ukraine its own long-range missile capability.
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On Wednesday, Ukrainian forces utilized naval drones to strike the oil tanker Dashan, identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea, causing critical damage and potentially disabling the vessel. This attack, carried out in coordination with the Ukrainian navy, marks the third such strike in two weeks, demonstrating a strategic shift toward targeting ships at sea alongside land-based energy infrastructure. The $30 million tanker, which was sailing with its transponder off, has been sanctioned by several Western countries and the EU for its role in Russian oil exports. This action is part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia’s energy revenue, a critical source of funds for its war efforts.
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On Wednesday, the U.S. seized the oil tanker “The Skipper” off the coast of Venezuela, a 20-year-old vessel sanctioned in 2022 for its alleged role in illicit oil smuggling networks supporting foreign terrorist organizations. The operation, led by the Coast Guard with Navy support, involved special operations forces, helicopters, and a boarding team. The tanker was reportedly used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, according to officials. The Venezuelan government condemned the seizure as an act of international piracy, while the U.S. stated the operation was conducted safely and securely.
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John Q. Hosedrinker