Russian invasion - War against Ukraine: this is the situation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi has welcomed the twelfth EU sanctions package against Russia. He thanked the European partners for this measure, Selensky said in his evening speech on Monday. The 27 member states had previously decided, among other things, that Russian diamonds and diamond jewelry may no longer be imported into the European Union in the future.
Around 22 months after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the new EU sanctions package also provides for a tightening of the price cap on Russian oil exports to third countries, which has hardly had any effect recently. There are also trade restrictions for other goods. "All of this will really help to reduce the economic basis of the war," said Selenskyj.
In addition to the punitive economic measures, according to the EU, sanctions are planned against more than 140 other individuals and organizations, including the son of former Kremlin leader Dmitry Medvedev, Ilya Medvedev. Three months before the planned presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is expected to be confirmed in office for the fifth time, members of Russia's Central Election Commission are also on the sanctions list.
Washington: Have funds for another aid package
According to the US government, it still has funds for a further military aid package for Ukraine this year. "But when that's done (...) Congress needs to act immediately," said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby. Kirby did not give an exact figure of how much money is still available for military support for Ukraine.
The USA is considered Ukraine's most important ally in the fight against the Russian invasion. Since the start of the war in February 2022, the USA, under the leadership of Democratic President Joe Biden, has provided or pledged billions in military aid to Kiev. The release of further funds is currently being blocked by a dispute in the US Parliament between Republicans and Democrats.
Another blockade at Polish-Ukrainian border crossing
Polish transport companies resumed their blockade of the Dorohusk crossing on the border with Ukraine, which was broken off a week ago. On the Polish side of the border, 1,800 trucks are currently jammed in a 48-kilometer-long queue, a spokeswoman for the local police told the PAP news agency. Polish hauliers are protesting against cheaper competition from Ukraine, which they blame for the slump in their business.
Author Akunin listed as a "terrorist" in Russia
Following his criticism of the war against Ukraine, the well-known author Boris Akunin has been listed as a "terrorist" and "extremist" in Russia. The Russian financial supervisory authority Rosfinmonitoring now lists Akunin, who has been living abroad for years, in a corresponding register.
Akunin, who was born in 1956 in Georgia, then part of the Soviet Union, and whose real name is Grigori Chkhartishvili, is best known for his crime novels. In Germany, his works are published by Aufbau Verlag. "Take care of yourself and don't get lost if you are in Russia. And if you have left, but are struggling in a foreign country and are thinking about returning, don't come back," Akunin said to other critics. "The night will get darker and darker. But it will still dawn afterwards."
What will be important on Tuesday
President Zelensky will hold his big end-of-year press conference in Kiev this Tuesday. The presidential administration in Kiev has not announced the time and place in advance for security reasons. In Russia, meanwhile, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is planning a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other high-ranking representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
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Source: www.stern.de
