Ex-Ukrainian FM warns of dire consequences for Ukraine under Trump’s peace plans — Politico
Dmitry Kuleba doubts that the president-elect could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, as Zelensky will not ink an agreement that surrenders territory. "It will be the end of Zelensky politically," he said in an interview with Politico.
Kuleba warned that Trump's plans to limit aid to Ukraine would only weaken the country's defenses, causing "the front line in the Donbass to collapse and the Russians to be at the gates of Dnepr, Poltava, and Zaporozhye."
Kuleba also criticized Kiev’s allies for inconsistent arms support, saying the West still has difficulty understanding "what it is fighting for."
#Politico
Trump picks Jamieson Greer as ‘tariff tsar’
Donald Trump has named his pick for trade representative - who served in Trump’s last administration as Chief of Staff to the position he will now take up - shortly after announcing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
Greer has been tasked with "reining in the country’s massive trade deficit, defending American manufacturing, agriculture, and services, and opening up export markets everywhere."
#Trump
EU can't demand Delhi cut ties with Moscow – India's Foreign Minister
In an interview with an Italian newspaper, India's Foreign Minister criticized Europe's hypocrisy regarding Russia.
RT’s Runjhun Sharma has the details.
#India #Russia
The signal is clear: Stop It! – Russia’s Deputy FM on Moscow’s response to US escalation
'It’s a dangerous illusion to think that Russia can be defeated strategically. A nuclear power cannot be defeated!' — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov to RT on US adding fuel to the conflict in Ukraine.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
❗️Israeli PM Netanyahu immune from ICC arrest warrants in France as Israel is not party to the court – French foreign ministry
#Israel #France
Russia considers itself free to use its weapons against Western military facilities – deputy UN envoy
"We believe we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities in those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities,” Dmitry Polyansky said, commenting on the recent escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
“We warned you about this, but you made your choice,” he added.
#Russia #NATO #Ukraine
Myanmar military chief arrest warrant requested by ICC prosecutor
Karim Khan insists Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, may bear criminal responsibility for the persecution of the Rohingya that drove hundreds of thousands of them to flee.
A panel of three ICC judges will now rule on Khan’s recommendation, which came after probing reports of rape, murder, and torched homes at the hands of the military leadership.
In 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya fled across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh, many to one of the world’s largest and most insecure refugee camps, which houses around a million displaced people.
#Myanmar #ICC
Ukraine war tourism 'booming'
A Spanish influencer has shrugged off suggestions that his trip to visit demolished battlegrounds was morbid or immoral, insisting he was acting "with respect".
Some companies are offering tours of southern Ukraine for €3,300, and although many claim to send a slice of the profits to the Ukrainian Army, the founder of one tour group claimed it "wasn't about money, it's about memorialization of the war."
One local councilor raged at the tourists lining company pockets, asking: "Why do you want to come here to see our grief?"
#Ukraine
France vague on Netanyahu ICC arrest warrant policy
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot claimed the ICC “deals with questions of immunity for certain leaders” while refusing to be clear on whether France would respect the ICC warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has insisted the warrants are “binding,” even though the ICC’s Rome Statute appears to offer contradictory regulations in such cases.
Article 27 says immunity shall not bar the courts from exercising jurisdiction over a person, but Article 98 stipulates that a state cannot “act inconsistently with its obligations under international law with respect to the… diplomatic immunity of a person.”
#France #Israel #ICC
'Kazakhstan and Russia, friends forever!' Poetic welcome greets Russian President in Astana
Not content with creating his slice of culture on the canvas, Vladimir Putin listened to children recite poetry.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Beirut licks its wounds: RT crew shows scale of destruction
While locals celebrate the ceasefire with Israel that came into force Wednesday morning, the streets on the Lebanese capital themselves remain strewn with rubble and destruction following weeks of Israeli bombardments.
#Israel #Lebanon
🚨ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI: THE US🇺🇸 & RUSSIA🇷🇺 SHOULD BE NATURAL ALLIES
‘I probably shouldn’t say this on television but I’ll say it. I’ve never really understood the antagonism between the Russians and the Americans. They always seem to me like they could be natural allies. But is it possible in 10 or 15 years from now there could be a better understanding among these two nations? It’s possible, and if it is, it’ll be quite transformative for the world.’
-Donald Trump’s former White House Communications Director and the Founder of SkyBridge Capital Anthony Scaramucci
FULL INTERVIEW: https://rumble.com/v5sk9x5-anthony-scaramucci-trump-will-surprise-people-on-ukraine-will-he-bring-a-cr.html
❗️Key points from Wednesday’s Defense Ministry briefing
- Ukraine has lost around 1,535 troops over the last 24 hours
- Fifty-four fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down by Russian air defense systems
- Russian troops liberated Novaya Ilyinka in the DPR
#RussianMoD
It’s quite the Christmas Holiday for Ukraine, isn’t it? But what about the American people? — Tara Reade slams Biden’s aid move
#Kiev
The German newspaper Welt reports that at least six explosive devices, not the previously reported four, were used to sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines, citing new sonar imagery and trial documents from Nord Stream AG's insurance claim
#NordStream
Biden does not have enough time to spend money allocated for Ukraine – WSJ
The Biden administration lacks time to use billions authorized for arming Ukraine, leaving decisions to President-elect Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Over $6.5 billion in drawdown authority remains, but the Pentagon faces limits on transfers without impacting its readiness. Shipping the remaining funds in weapons by January is logistically impossible, officials say.
Trump’s decisions on the funds could shape the battlefield and influence peace talks with Russia.
#US #Trump #Ukraine
BRICS is built on solidarity and unity – Russian Deputy FM
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov talks to RT on BRICS, the group’s success and goals
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Our friends in Asia will understand if we deploy missiles in the region – Russian Deputy FM
Russian Deputy FM Sergey Ryabkov says that Russia is prepared to place its missiles in Asia if and when it's required
#Kazakhstan #Russia
⚡️Donald Trump taps General Keith Kellogg for special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
#Trump #Ukraine
❗️President Putin and Kazakhstan President Tokayev sign joint statement on deepening strategic partnership in the new world order
#Kazakhstan #Russia #Putin
Kazakhstan takes solid 2nd place among Russia's investment partners – Putin
President Putin highlighted the bilateral trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan which has exceeded $20BN this year
#Kazakhstan #Russia #Putin
Militant groups launch large-scale offensive against Syrian army
A large-scale offensive is underway in Syria’s Aleppo province, with multiple militant groups targeting the Syrian Arab Army.
Independent investigative journalist Vanessa Beeley reports from Damascus with the latest details.
#Syria
Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group launches offensive near Syrian govt-held Aleppo - reports
According to initial assessments, the Al Qaeda offshoot group has made advances towards west of Aleppo, capturing several cites amid heavy fighting.
#Syria
Russian-Kazakh negotiations begin in Astana
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Putin & Tokayev paint bridge of friendship between Kazakhstan and Russia
The leaders added a few touches to the painting at the residence of the Kazakh leader in Astana.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
❗️Putin lands in Astana
The Russian President has arrived for a two-day state visit to Kazakhstan.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Amidst celebrations in Beirut following Wednesday's Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, RT's Steve Sweeney reports exclusively on the long-awaited end of the bombing and destruction
#Beirut
Kazakhstan’s Astana International Airport ready for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival
#Kremlin
❗️Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is demanding Israel's immediate compliance with the ceasefire agreement and withdrawal from occupied southern Lebanese territories — Anadolu
#IDF
Europe is set for its coldest winter since the conflict in Ukraine began, sending energy prices higher as the continent's gas reserves run out faster than usual — Bloomberg
#SMO
