Newsletter Jan 7, 2025
A daily news digest covering important war-related, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
Politics
U.S. to announce new military aid package for Ukraine at Ramstein meeting - AP
The Biden administration plans to announce a large-scale, final military aid package for Ukraine as part of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Germany and his participation in the Ramstein meeting.
FMs of Ukraine, Germany discussed results of their visits to Syria
Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Germany Andrii Sybiha and Annalena Bearbock discussed the results of their visits to Syria and coordinated steps to further support the Syrian people.
Mine action, energy and defense: Iceland’s FM assures Ukraine of further support
Foreign Minister of Iceland Thordis Gylfadottir has assured that Iceland’s new government will continue supporting Ukraine.
Kubrakov appointed Defense Minister’s advisor
Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov appointed former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Community, Territorial and Infrastructure Development Oleksandr Kubrakov as a pro bono advisor.
Explaining: Trump’s election win confirmation in Congress, Russia’s environmental crime, Ukraine’s National Cashback program
The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.
Explaining: Zelensky’s interview with Fridman, strengthening Russia sanctions, Ukraine’s defense industry development
The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.
Kellogg postpones Kyiv visit until after Trump’s inauguration – media
The incoming U.S. representative for Ukraine and Russia in the Donald Trump administration has postponed his first visit to Kyiv and other European capitals until after the inauguration of the president-elect, which is scheduled for January 20.
06 January 2025
Europe must do everything to improve Kyiv's position in potential talks with Moscow - Sikorski
Soon, Europe may face strong pressure to reach an agreement with Moscow. Europe could agree to a deal that will not allow Russia to regain power and Ukraine to capitulate because Kyiv deserves a just peace.
British MPs call on government to hand frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
Britain should transfer all frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to send a clear signal to Moscow that the aggressor must and will pay the cost of war.
Zelensky announces “good diplomatic news” for Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine held a meeting on planning international meetings and negotiations for January, announcing acceleration of arms supplies and “good” diplomatic news for the country.
Lukashenko's spokeswoman denies he apologized to Zelensky for invading Belarus
The spokesperson for the self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Natalia Eismont, confirmed that in the first days of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, Lukashenko and Zelensky had a conversation, but denied that he had allegedly apologized.
Ukraine should act as “single front” with West in potential settlement talks - ex-FM
Ukraine should act as a “single voice and single front” with Western partners in potential negotiations to end the war while negotiations with Russia alone are unacceptable for the country.
West German model of joining NATO could be Ukraine’s compromise at talks - Bankova
The West German model of joining NATO where the entire country receives an invitation, but only the part of it, controlled by government, joins the Alliance, is a compromise that Ukraine could make during settlement negotiations to end the war.
Russia set to share space tech with North Korea - Blinken
Russia intends to share its advanced space and satellite technology with North Korea in exchange for Pyongyang providing weapons and other equipment to Moscow to sustain its war effort against Ukraine.
Ukraine needs clear security guarantees for ceasefire - Zelensky
Ukraine needs reliable security guarantees that can prevent Russia from its aggression and occupation of Ukraine's territory.
Elections in Ukraine will be held immediately after martial law is lifted – Zelensky
Elections in Ukraine will be held immediately after martial law is lifted, according to the law.
Zelensky told how Lukashenko apologized to him in first days of war
Volodymyr Zelensky said that in the first days of the war, Alexander Lukashenko apologized to him for the fact that the invasion of Russian troops had taken place from the territory of Belarus.
05 January 2025
Zelensky offered Trump to buy American weapons with frozen Russian assets
Volodymyr Zelensky offered US President-elect Donald Trump to buy American weapons at the expense of USD 300 billion of frozen Russian assets.
Zelensky explains why he won't give interviews in Russian
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it is important for him to give interviews in Ukrainian, despite the fact that he understands Russian well.
Austrian Conservatives express willingness for coalition with pro-Russian far-right party
The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has declared its readiness to negotiate forming a coalition government with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which won the September 2024 elections.
04 January 2025
MEP warns against hasty truce deal with Putin
The leader of the European People's Party group in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, has warned against a hasty agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
Sybiha discusses security issues in Black Sea with Turkish FM
During a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha discussed security issues in the Black Sea.
ISW: Kremlin’s demands toward ending war remain unchanged, amounting to Ukraine's surrender
The Russian leadership, including dictator Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly put forward conditions for ending the war that amount to Ukraine's complete surrender, and they have so far not changed these demands.
Zelensky congratulates US Congress on start of legislative session and Johnson on his election as Speaker
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the 119th convocation of the US Congress on the start of the session and Mike Johnson on his election as speaker.
03 January 2025
Ukraine’s Zelensky extends visa-free regime for UK nationals
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has extended until January 30, 2026 the visa-free travel for those holding passports of the United Kingdom.
Costa: Ukraine should remain key priority for EU
Ukraine should remain a “key priority” for the EU countries this year, and member states must firmly and decisively support Kyiv toward achieving a just and lasting peace.
Explaining: False accusations against Ukraine by UN, reforms in AFU, strengthening defense industry
The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine.
Lithuanian FM shows consequences of Russian attack on Honorary Consulate in Kherson
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has shown the consequences of the Russian shelling of the country's honorary consulate in Kherson, calling the attack a New Year's “greeting” from Russia.