Trump expands US travel restrictions for 40 nations starting 2026

The United States is set to broaden entry restrictions for citizens from nearly 40 countries, citing critical risks to national security and public safety. The measures, outlined in a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

EU scraps mandatory 2035 ban on combustion engine cars

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday scrapped its mandatory 2035 switch to electric vehicles (EVs) for car manufacturers, an iconic environmental measure, citing the growing crisis facing the auto industry in Europe.

Zelenskyy reveals secret post-war security plan involving foreign troops

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that several nations have drafted a confidential document detailing the specific security guarantees they are prepared to offer Ukraine once the war ends.

New Russia law shields Putin from ICC war crimes arrest warrant

Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, approved a bill on Tuesday to ban the enforcement of foreign criminal court rulings, a move designed to shield President Vladimir Putin from the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, French news agency AFP reports.

Plahotniuc will testify in the ‘kuliok’ case as Igor Dodon faces corruption charges

Vladimir Plahotniuc, the former leader of the Democratic Party, has confirmed that he will testify as a witness in the "kuliok" case, which translates to "black bag." This case involves former President Igor Dodon of the Republic of Moldova, who is accused of passive corruption and receiving illegal party funding.

Zelensky offers to drop NATO bid for Article 5 security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky announced on December 14 that Ukraine is prepared to give up its bid for NATO membership. This major strategic shift, however, is strictly conditional.

Russia energy revenue projected to plunge by nearly half in December

Russia’s state revenues from oil and natural gas are projected to plummet by almost half in December compared to the previous year, falling to 410 billion rubles ($5.17 billion), driven by declining crude oil prices and a stronger ruble, according to Reuters calculations published Friday.

Germany deploys military engineers to Poland to reinforce the NATO eastern flank

Germany will deploy military engineers to eastern Poland, specifically along the volatile Poland-Belarus border and near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, to help fortify the NATO eastern flank.

Belarus frees Nobel laureate in exchange for US sanctions relief

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 123 detainees on Saturday, December 13. Those released include political opponents, activists, journalists, and five Ukrainian citizens.

Erdoğan says "peace not far" after Putin talks, plans Trump dialogue

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan affirms that "peace is not far" following high-level discussions with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, and says he intends to advance a potential Ukraine peace plan, including through dialogue with President Donald Trump, Reuters reports.

EU indefinitely freezes €210B in Russian Central Bank assets for Ukraine

The European Union has reached a political agreement on the indefinite freezing of Russian Central Bank assets located on EU territory.

Germany accuses Russia of cyberattack on air traffic control

Germany has formally accused Russia of conducting major cyberattacks and electoral interference. Berlin announced that it identified two large-scale cyber operations attributed to Moscow: one targeting German air traffic control and the other focusing on the February 2025 parliamentary elections.