In this digest, you will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events shaping the world order, and the support provided by international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about global and local events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
$500 million in aid to be allocated by the US to Ukraine
The United States has announced a new $500 million aid package for Ukraine. This was announced by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a meeting in the Ramstein format.
The package will include shells, missiles for air defense and air-to-ground missiles, and equipment for Ukrainian F-16 fighters.
Here at Ramstein, I am committed to doing everything I can to help Ukraine live in freedom and security. Together, our work must continue. Here is a fundamental truth: Ukraine’s struggle is important to all of us, – Lloyd Austin said.
This is the last package from the Administration of incumbent President Joe Biden. On January 20, Donald Trump will become President of the United States.
On May 4, Romania will hold the first round of presidential elections
Romania has set a new date for the presidential election. The first round will be held on May 4, 2025, and the second on May 18, Politico reports.
The first round of the presidential election in Romania was held on November 24, 2024. Far-right politician Călin Georgescu and liberal pro-European candidate Elena Lasconi went to the second round.
And Călin Georgescu leadership was unexpected, as he was accused of influencing the election through TikTok. Later, Romanian intelligence found out that the TikTok account bogpr, used by Romanian citizen Bogdan Peschir, was involved in financing Georgescu’s campaign. He made payments totaling $381,000 between October 24 and November 24 to users of TikTok accounts that participated in the promotion of Georgescu’s campaign.
As a result, the Romanian Constitutional Court canceled the results of the first round of the presidential election on December 6.
On January 9, the Armenian government approved a draft law to start the EU accession process
On January 9, the Cabinet of Ministers of Armenia approved a draft law on the start of the country’s accession process to the European Union. The document will now be sent to the parliament, News.am media reports.
The corresponding initiative of citizens gained 50 thousand signatures. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the decision on Armenia’s accession to the bloc can only be made through a national referendum. In the meantime, it is necessary to discuss and develop a joint roadmap with the EU.
In recent years, relations between Armenia and the EU have been quite dynamic. They covered various sectors. Obviously, the European Union has very rich democratic traditions, a free competitive environment and a modern economy, – said Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
He added that the EU has repeatedly expressed support for Armenian democracy. Mirzoyan also mentioned the deployment of the EU civilian monitoring mission in the country.
100 days: Trump’s special envoy wants to resolve the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine after the inauguration
Keith Kellogg, the special representative of US President-elect Donald Trump, wants to resolve the issue of the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine within 100 days after the inauguration on January 20.
He said this in an interview with Fox News.
I would like to set a goal, both on a personal and professional level, I would say let’s set it at a hundred days,– he said.
Kellogg believes that Trump will be able to offer an “acceptable solution” to Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky “in the short term”.
People need to understand that he’s not trying to give something to Putin or the Russians, he’s actually trying to save Ukraine’s sovereignty and guarantee it. And he will guarantee that it is fair and honest, – Keith Kellogg said.
During his election campaign, Trump claimed that he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine “in one day”.
€400 fine imposed by the EU Court of Justice on the European Commission for violation of its own law for the first time in history
The General Court of the European Union has ordered the European Commission to pay damages to a German citizen for non-compliance with its own data protection rules. This is stated in the court’s decision of January 8.
The Munich resident visited the EU website several times in 2021-2022. There, he used the “Sign in with Facebook” function to register for a conference. After logging in, the man noticed an increase in connections to third-party providers.
Eventually, the court found that the transfer of the Meta Platforms user’s IP address to the United States violated EU data protection rules. The fact is that the European Commission transferred the man’s personal data to the United States without proper safeguards. Now, the Brussels executive authority has to compensate the man for €400 in damages.
4,000 North Korean soldiers killed in war against Ukraine – Zelenskyy
The losses of North Korean soldiers fighting against Ukrainian forces amount to 4,000 wounded and killed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, Interfax reports.
Putin is not just maintaining his investment in aggression. He is doubling them. He has even started hiring soldiers from North Korea to continue this war. North Korea is learning modern methods of warfare. They do not value their people. To date, they have lost 4,000 people, – Zelenskyy said at the 25th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
30,000 drones to be transferred to Ukraine by the UK and allies
The United Kingdom, together with NATO allies, will provide 30,000 new drones to Ukraine as part of the Drone Coalition.
This was announced at a meeting in the Ramstein format by British Defense Secretary John Healey and Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds.
30,000 drones will be sent to Ukraine after the international Drone Capability Coalition, led by the United Kingdom and Latvia, signed contracts worth £45 million (about $55.3 million).
Funding for these drones comes from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Sweden.
It is noted that these state-of-the-art FPV drones will help Ukraine fight Russian aggression by allowing the Armed Forces to maneuver past Russian air defense systems to target Russian positions and armored vehicles.
The Ministry of Defense noted that the UK has contributed 15 million pounds to the Drone Capability Coalition fund. In total, the fund has raised about 73 million pounds from the UK and partners.
