Ukraine_UA

The Center said that Russian occupation forces were increasing "counter-sabotage" efforts throughout the region to intimidate residents who passed information on to the Ukrainian military.

Ukraine's economy could likely withstand a funding delay of "a couple of months," but a longer gap would put the nation's path to economic recovery at serious risk, IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva said.

French president accuses Hungarian PM of being dishonest to the public about his reasons for vetoing aid

Editorial: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has blocked aid for now, but the decision to begin membership negotiations should be celebrated

EU opens membership talks with Ukraine but Orbán vetos aid package; on the frontline in Avdiivka

There are around 450,000 Russian troops deployed in Ukraine, rather than over 600,000 as Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed, the spokesperson of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), Yurii Yusov, said on Dec. 15.

Speaking after the European Council summit in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron said he was open to dialogue it if helps create peace between Ukraine and Russia.

As Hungary opposed the EU's multi-annual financial framework that included 50 billion ($55 billion) for Ukraine, the European Commission will ensure an "operation solution" by the next meeting early next year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a press briefing on Dec. 15.

The news came after a video surfaced that was subsequently republished by RFE/RL depicting what appeared to be unarmed Ukrainian POWs being forced to walk at gunpoint toward Ukrainian lines.

The U.S. "continues to strongly support the EU’s enlargement process, and we look forward to supporting EU candidate and prospective candidate countries as they continue critical reforms on the path to EU membership," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Orbán vetoed €50bn in EU aid for Ukraine defence against Russian invasion in early hours of Friday morning

The blockade by Slovak truckers at the Ukrainian border has ended, the Slovak Truckers Union said on Dec. 15. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service also said that the border had been unblocked for an "indefinite period."

A village council member detonated at least two grenades inside a crowded room in a local government building in the western Zakarpattia Oblast on Dec. 15, Ukraine's National Police said.