The Russians Couldn’t Take Avdiivka With Tanks. They Couldn’t Take It With Infantry. Now They’re Trying With Drones. (www.forbes.com) Ukrainian
Kyiv pressures EU to open accession talks at Brussels summit (www.theguardian.com)
Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff warns the ‘Europe puzzle’ cannot come together without Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 658 (www.theguardian.com)
Zelenskiy gets frosty reception from Republicans in Washington; Biden announces $200m military aid package
Honoring Ukrainian soldiers killed by Russia's war (kyivindependent.com)
Cemeteries all across Ukraine are filled with the country’s flags, marking the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers who took up arms to resist the Russian invasion and paid the ultimate price. Join us in honoring their courage and dedication.
Slovak FM: Slovakia ready to support launch of Ukraine EU accession talks (kyivindependent.com)
Having assessed the progress of Ukraine's reforms, Slovakia is "ready to support the opening of accession negotiations," Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said in Brussels on Dec. 12.
Orban responds to Hungarians in Ukraine, offers substitute to EU membership (kyivindependent.com)
In his letter, Orban vowed that Hungary "will do everything in its power to protect the rights of the Hungarian community in Ukraine," the Hungarian news portal hvg.hu reported.
Bloomberg: Orban may unblock Ukraine aid package in exchange for release of EU funds for Hungary (kyivindependent.com)
Hungary is open to unblocking a huge EU funding package for Ukraine in exchange for the release of EU funding for Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's political advisor told Bloomberg on Dec. 12.
Europeans open to Ukraine joining EU, survey shows before key summit (www.theguardian.com)
Polling reveals cool attitude to accession of Georgia and some western Balkan states, and opposition to admitting Turkey
‘Putin must lose’: Zelenskiy arrives in US to try to save $61bn Ukraine aid package (www.theguardian.com)
President to meet Joe Biden and senators, with Congress holding back support, but UK hints it will increase funding
US House passes bill banning import of uranium from Russia (kyivindependent.com)
The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Dec. 11 to pass a bill banning the import of Russian uranium. A majority of uranium used by the U.S. is purchased from abroad. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said that in 2022, 12% of the total amount of uranium used by nuclear power plants in the U.S. was purchased...
FT: EU to propose plan to redirect 15 billion euros in projected profits from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
The Group of Seven (G7) nations said on Oct. 12 that it would hold frozen Russian assets in their jurisdictions, estimated to be around $280 billion, until Russia pays for the reparations and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Letting Ukraine into the EU will reinforce, not undermine, Europe’s security | Piotr Buras and Engjellushe Morina (www.theguardian.com)
Many Europeans don’t realise that EU enlargement is the only way to counter China and Russia – but this week, leaders must act, say Piotr Buras and Engjellushe Morina of the European Council on Foreign Relations
Sweden announces $133 million winter aid package for Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
Sweden announced a new humanitarian aid package for Ukraine worth 1.4 billion Swedish krona ($133 million), Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a press conference on Dec. 11.
Massive cyberattack reported on Ukrainian bank, phone operator (kyivindependent.com)
Massive cyberattacks hit the largest Ukrainian telecommunications company, Kyivstar, and one of the country's largest banks, Monobank, on Dec. 12.
Opinion: Russian revanchism must be defeated in Ukraine (kyivindependent.com)
BERKELEY/KYIV – Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration warned Congress that the U.S. is “out of money – and nearly out of time” to send aid and weapons to Ukraine. This, together with the recent warning by Ukraine’s top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, that “sooner or
Reuters: Over 100 EU lawmakers call for Congress to approve Ukraine aid (kyivindependent.com)
The officials represent at least 17 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, and will send the letter to their U.S. counterparts on Dec. 12.
Sanctions aren’t working: How the West enables Russia’s war on Ukraine (www.politico.eu)
The EU is pointing the finger at Chinese suppliers, but it’s Western companies that make the most critical components used in Russia’s arsenal of weapons.
U.S. and Ukraine Search for a New Strategy After Failed Counteroffensive (www.nytimes.com) Ukrainian
Where the Russia-Ukraine war is headed in 2024 (thehill.com) Ukrainian
Danilov: Counteroffensive hopes did not come true (kyivindependent.com)
Ukraine's counteroffensive hopes did not come true, but that does not mean Kyiv will not eventually achieve victory, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov said in a comment for the BBC on Dec. 12.
Media: Brazilian president denies Zelensky's request to meet (kyivindependent.com)
President Volodymr Zelensky requested a meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva while traveling to Argentina for the inauguration of Javier Milei, but the Brazilian leader declined to meet, the Brazilian news outlet O Globo reported Dec. 11.
[Video] 11 Dec: BREAKING POINT! Russians LOSE THE UPPER HAND | War in Ukraine Explained (www.youtube.com)
Official: Polish border crossing blocked again after temporary reprieve (kyivindependent.com)
Earlier in the day, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov announced that the blockade at the crossing point had been lifted and that trucks were again moving along the border.
White House: Another aid package for Ukraine to be announced before end of year (kyivindependent.com)
Another support package for Ukraine can be expected from the White House before the end of 2023, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told the press on Dec. 11.