Ukraine: US Lies, Provocation, Broken Promises, Fake News

[Anthea]

Lukashenko warns Ukraine may
collapse without urgent peace deal

In an interview with Newsmax TV, Lukashenko stated that "if the escalation continues, the consequences could be very grave for Europe and the entire world." He suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not presently inclined to pursue peace, but urged him to reconsider before it's too late

"In my opinion, if this war continues, Ukraine could cease to exist," he said. "It may not even be on the map."

Lukashenko underscored the broader danger, warning that the conflict could spiral into a global war involving advanced weaponry. "We must prevent this, because in this war, all kinds of weapons will be used," he added, calling for greater diplomatic pressure on Zelensky to end the bloodshed.

His remarks align with mounting concerns that Ukraine's long-term survival as a sovereign state is under serious threat, not only due to battlefield losses, but because of deeper structural issues worsened by the war.

Demographic, economic collapse

Analysts warn that Ukraine is facing a "demographic catastrophe," with its population plummeting from 52 million in 1991 to as few as 25–36 million today on government-held territory. The Wall Street Journal and others have reported that deaths now outnumber births by three to one, while over 6 million Ukrainians have fled abroad.

These population losses, coupled with a severe decline in working-age citizens, pose a long-term threat to Ukraine's viability. Even optimistic forecasts suggest the population may not rebound above 35 million before 2040, making reconstruction efforts and state stability increasingly difficult.

Ukraine's economy has become heavily reliant on foreign assistance, with military spending accounting for 60% of its national budget. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine will require approximately $65 billion in external financing through 2027 just to maintain government functions.

As Western financial and military support comes under increasing political strain, this suggests that this model is not sustainable in the long term. Without decisive diplomatic or military resolutions, Ukraine risks economic collapse alongside its population crisis.

Moreover, efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine have intensified following two days of negotiations in Berlin, with US President Donald Trump claiming the agreement is "closer than ever." The current framework, backed by European leaders, offers Ukraine robust "platinum standard" security guarantees in exchange for abandoning its NATO aspirations

However, talks remain deadlocked over Russia's demand for territorial concessions in Donbas and de facto recognition of its control over Crimea and other regions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected any withdrawal from fortified positions in western Donetsk, insisting Ukraine "will not give up Donbas."

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... nt-peace-d

NOTE:

In 2015 the Minsk 2 agreement, recognized by the UNSC, guaranteed Donbass Autonomy, ever since then the NAZI Kiev run military has been [b]BREAKING THE LAW by breaking the terms of the Minsk 2 agreement by attacking Donbass[/b]

[Anthea]

Russia’s Response Shocks Europe

The EU’s $105 Billion Asset Seizure Backfires

EU froze approximately $300 billion of Russian central bank reserves unprecedented, never before has western nations seized the sovereign assets of a major power.

For 2 years those assets sat frozen while EU debated what to do, then in May 2024 they made a decision, they would not confiscate the principal but they would seize the interest earnings of approximately $3 billion per year transferred to Ukraine as military aid

Moscow issued a decree, any European company with assets in Russia was now subject to mirror retaliation.

If the EU was seizing $105 billion in accumulated Russian assets and interest, Russia would seize equivalent value in EU holdings.

The list of vulnerable companies is staggering.

Volkswagen has $3.5 billion in Russian assets, Raiffeisen Bank has $2.8 billion, Danone has $1.2 billion, the total EU corporate exposure in Russia exceeds $200 billion

Volkswagen cannot afford to lose $3.5 billion, some companies may become bankrupt

Direct Link:

https://youtu.be/yDmu7Frv0Yk?si=U5ZEW0aSslPzBusN

[Anthea]

"We thought freezing their assets would bring Russia to their knees. Instead, we have created a monster we cannot control."

He was right. Because what Europe did with $105 billion in Russian assets has triggered a chain reaction that will reshape global finance—and almost nobody understands what's really happening.

In this video, we expose how the EU's May 2024 decision to seize interest earnings from frozen Russian reserves hat triggered Russia's surgical mirror retaliation—targeting $105 billion in European corporate assets including Volkswagen ($3.5B), Raiffeisen Bank ($2.8B), and dozens more. From the death of property rights to the acceleration of de-dollarization, we break down why this might be the greatest strategic blunder in financial history.

In this video, we uncover:

The $105 billion Seizure:

How the EU's May 2024 decision to confiscate Russian asset interest earnings—$3 billion annually for Ukraine—crossed a line that can never be uncrossed and broke the sacred principle of property rights.

The Mirror Retaliation:

Why Russia's decree within 48 hours to seize equivalent European corporate holdings ($200 billion+ exposure) is strategic genius—exploiting divisions, rewarding hesitant countries, punishing aggressive ones.

The Corporate Panic:

How Volkswagen, Raiffeisen, Danone, Shell, and BP are now screaming at their governments—caught in the crossfire of a financial war they never chose.

The Global Precedent:

Why every central bank from Asia to Latin America is now asking "if they did it to Russia, could they do it to us?"—and quietly diversifying away from Western assets.

The headlines say Europe stood firm. The reality is Europe sacrificed the credibility of its entire financial system for $3 billion per year that won't change the war's outcome.

Watch to understand the long-term cost:

https://youtu.be/yDmu7Frv0Yk?si=l__vDAgiu7KCqrtZ

[Anthea]

US, Hungary, and Slovakia oppose
Ukraine’s NATO membership

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed on Thursday that the United States, Hungary, and Slovakia currently oppose granting Ukraine NATO membership, blocking the alliance’s ability to reach the required unanimity

“A couple of allies are saying that they will not give their consent and therefore withhold unanimity for Ukraine entering NATO, countries like Hungary, the United States, Slovakia, and maybe a couple others,” Rutte said during a press conference in Warsaw.

His comments come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to accelerate Ukraine’s path toward joining the alliance amid the ongoing war with Russia.

Unanimity remains a barrier to Ukraine’s NATO bid

Under NATO rules, any decision to admit a new member requires unanimous approval from all current member states.

The statements from Rutte indicate that Ukraine’s NATO membership remains far from assured, despite strong backing from other countries, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

The stance taken by the US, Hungary, and Slovakia underscores the deep divisions within NATO on the issue, with concerns ranging from security escalation to domestic political calculations.

While Ukraine continues to receive extensive military and financial support from NATO members, formal accession to the alliance remains off the table for now.

Leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak officials have consistently expressed skepticism about further expanding NATO's commitments during an active conflict.

The Biden administration has also signaled caution, reiterating that Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership must follow conditions and reforms, and cannot proceed without full consensus.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... nato-membe

[Anthea]

Ukraine funding from Russia assets

European Union leaders are continuing their discussions over financial support for Ukraine, with talks set to carry on until a unified agreement is reached, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Brussels

The summit was expected to address the issue of frozen Russian assets, but discussions on this front stalled. Leaders postponed further deliberations on the matter, with plans to revisit the file at a later stage.

Internal divisions persist among EU member states and institutions, stalling consensus on the controversial proposal. The European Commission has pushed to allocate frozen Russian assets, estimated at around 200 billion euros held within the EU, mostly in Euroclear, to fund Kiev’s military and reconstruction efforts.

However, several key stakeholders continue to oppose the plan. especially as Russia will lay claim to BILLION OF DOLLARS assets belonging to EU countries

EU shifts focus to West Asia

With no breakthrough on the asset dispute, EU leaders are now set to shift their focus to the Middle East, our correspondent stated.

This follows a meeting between the European Union and Lebanon on Monday, the ninth of its kind as part of the EU–Lebanon Association Council in Brussels, reviewing bilateral relations and reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the partnership under the Association Agreement and its priorities.

In a statement, the EU reiterated its support for reforms launched by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Lebanon’s new government, renewing its commitment to backing democratic institutions in the country.

The bloc also voiced strong support for measures aimed at reinforcing state sovereignty, including "ensuring the monopoly of use of force under legitimate state institutions."

Participants exchanged views on regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to a "two-state solution" to the Israeli-Palestinian struggle as the only viable basis for "lasting peace" and stressing the need to protect civilians in Gaza and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access.

Talks also covered Lebanon–Syria relations, border management cooperation, the issue of enforced disappearances under Syria’s former regime, and related security and humanitarian concerns.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... ssets-dead

[Anthea]

Italy blocks EU plan to use frozen
Russian assets for Ukraine

Italy and France raised parliamentary concerns over an EU plan to back a Ukraine loan using frozen Russian assets, with Rome ultimately blocking the proposal

Italy and France played a key role in negotiations over a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to back a so-called “reparations” loan for Kiev, but Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ultimately blocked the plan, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron raised concerns when presented with an updated version of the proposal, questioning whether their national parliaments would approve the financial guarantees demanded by Belgium. Their objections reportedly shifted the atmosphere in the negotiating room and stalled momentum around the initiative.

“It was never going to fly ... Something that technical and obscure spooked the leaders ... it felt like an ambush,” another senior EU diplomat told the Financial Times.

Earlier on Friday, EU Council President Antonio Costa said the European Union would provide Ukraine with a €90 billion ($105 billion) loan, funded through the EU budget and potentially repayable using frozen Russian assets. Macron has described frozen Russian funds as one of the main sources of leverage against Moscow in negotiations over a political settlement.

Following the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in 2022, the EU and G7 countries froze nearly half of Russia’s foreign currency reserves, estimated at around €300 billion. Roughly €200 billion of that amount is held in European accounts, mainly at the Belgium-based securities depository Euroclear. The European Commission has been seeking member-state approval to use the assets to finance Kiev’s war effort.

Belgium, Italy fear legalities amid German push for weaponization

Belgium, home to Euroclear, the institution that holds most of the frozen Russian reserves, has expressed the strongest reservations. Brussels fears being left to absorb the financial and legal fallout if the scheme triggers retaliation or court rulings abroad.

Those anxieties intensified after Russia’s central bank filed a $230bn lawsuit against Euroclear in Moscow, with the first hearing scheduled for January 16, 2026. Belgian officials also worry that courts in jurisdictions close to Russia might seize Western assets to enforce claims.

Aligning with Belgium's stance, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Italian lawmakers that using Russian assets without watertight legal guarantees would hand Moscow "the first victory since the start of the war". She added, "Italy, of course, considers sacred the principle that Russia should primarily pay for the reconstruction of the nation it attacked, but this result must be achieved with a solid legal basis."

Financial markets have also begun flashing warnings. Credit rating agency Fitch recently placed Euroclear on "rating watch negative", citing growing uncertainty over the EU’s asset-backed funding plans and the legal exposure stemming from Russia’s lawsuit. The rating action reflects concerns that the unprecedented scheme could undermine the financial stability of one of Europe’s core settlement systems.

Despite the risks, Germany is pushing hard for the plan to proceed. Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters he would continue fighting to make up to €90 billion of the frozen Russian assets "usable for Ukraine’s defence", adding that securing agreement among member states was "50/50", telling lawmakers the funds would support the Ukrainian army for "at least another two years".

Brussels rejects unanimity as Hungary digs in

EU diplomats preparing the summit say that any financing mechanism requiring unanimous backing, such as using the EU budget as collateral, is effectively dead, as Hungary maintains its promise to veto it, leaving the reparations-loan model as the only politically viable path.

"A very large majority of member states favour the reparations loan," one senior EU official said, as quoted by The Guardian. "Any solution that would require unanimity, I don’t think is realistic, so we are back into the reparations loan."

Belgium has floated the idea of using the same emergency powers that froze Russia’s assets indefinitely to create an EU-backed loan without unanimity, but other capitals have dismissed the suggestion.

The EU is now edging toward a decision that would set a global precedent: transforming sovereign assets frozen under sanctions into war financing without a peace settlement or reparations agreement.

Moscow has already warned that such a move amounts to outright theft and would trigger sweeping retaliation, including seizures of Western corporate holdings in Russia

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... for-ukrain

[Anthea]

Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the expanded meeting of Russia's Ministry of Defence Board (December 17, 2025, Moscow)

Key points:

2025 has become an important milestone in addressing the objectives of the special military operation. The Russian Armed Forces have secured and firmly maintain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact.

In 2025, more than 300 settlements have already been liberated, including major cities that had been turned by the adversary into fortified strongholds.

I would also like to note our North Korean combat comrades. By decision of Comrade Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong-un, they were dispatched to take part in the liberation of the Kursk region and, shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen, fought the enemy with valour and courage. They took part in large-scale and extremely complex efforts to clear mines from the liberated Kursk region.

Successful tests have been conducted of the Burevestnik strategic cruise missile with unlimited range and the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle. Thanks to the use of a nuclear power unit, these systems will remain unique and unmatched for a long time, ensuring strategic parity,

Russia’s security and its global standing for decades to come. We will continue working on these systems – refining, upgrading and improving them – but they already exist. By the end of 2025, an intermediate-range missile system equipped with the Oreshnik hypersonic missile will be placed on combat duty.

Russia has always, even in the most difficult circumstances, as long as there was even the slightest chance – sought diplomatic solutions to contradictions and conflicts. Responsibility for the fact that these chances were not used lies entirely with those who believed that it was possible to speak to us in the language of force.

We stand for building mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the US and European states, and for the formation of a unified security system across the entire Eurasian region. We welcome the progress that has emerged in the dialogue with the new US Administration. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the current leadership of most European countries.

We are fully aware that in any international environment, our Armed Forces remain the key guarantor of Russia’s sovereignty and independence, its security and future, and of strategic parity. We must work consistently to strengthen them.

Immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it seemed to us that we would very quickly become part of the so-called civilized family of European nations. Instead, Russia continued to be pressed from all sides – increasingly so.

Virtually everything concerning Russia was decided from a position of force. They would pat us on the shoulder and invite us to various events, yet when it came to their interests vis-à-vis Russia, the West pushed them through by force, including by military means.

President Trump says that if he had been President at the time, the conflict in Ukraine would not have happened. Perhaps that is so, because the previous US Administration deliberately steered the events towards an armed conflict.

The objectives of the special military operation will undoubtedly be achieved. We would prefer to do so and to eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomatic means.

However, if the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in a substantive dialogue, Russia will secure the liberation of its historical lands by military means. Efforts to establish and expand a security buffer zone will continue on a systematic basis.

[Anthea]

EU taxpayers will have to pay

EU taxpayers €3 billion per year in borrowing costs as part of a plan to raise common debt to finance Ukraine’s defense against Russia, according to senior European Commission officials

The bloc’s leaders agreed in the early hours of Friday to raise €90 billion for the next two years, backed by the EU budget, to ensure Kyiv’s war chest won’t run dry in April.

Ask Zelensky and his thieving friends to replace the money they stole and re-reimburse the money made from selling off weapons on the black market. Exact figure unknown but between 40-50% of weapons sent to Ukraine vanish and much has been traced to drug cartels in South America and Gorilla Groups world-wide

The war-ravaged country faces a budget shortfall of €71.7 billion next year and is in desperate need of funds to ensure its survival after Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to keep the conflict going until Kiev stops attacking Donbass.

Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia will not join the bloc’s other 24 countries in sharing the debt burden, but agreed not to obstruct Ukraine’s financing needs. As part of the carve-out deal, the Commission will propose a so-called enhanced cooperation early next week, giving the 24 countries a legal platform to raise joint debt.

Many of the hallmarks of the €210 billion financing package for Ukraine will be transferred to the new plan for common debt. These include payout structures in tranches, anti-corruption safeguards, and an outline for how much money should be spent on Kyiv’s military and the country’s budgetary needs.

European governments resorted to joint debt after failing to agree on a controversial plan to leverage frozen Russian assets across the bloc.

The new plan would provide Ukraine with €45 billion next year, handing Kyiv a crucial lifeline as it enters its fifth year of fighting. The remaining funds would be disbursed in 2027.

Cost of borrowing

The new plan won’t come cheap. The EU is expected to pay €3 billion annually in interest from 2028 through its seven-year budget, which is largely financed by EU governments, senior Commission officials told reporters on Friday. Interest payments would begin in 2027, but would cost only €1 billion that year.

Ukraine will only have to repay the loan once Russia ends the war and pays war reparations. That seems unlikely, which means the EU could continuously roll over the debt or use frozen Russian assets to repay it.

As the truth comes out about Kiev's (illegal) attacks on Donbass since 2014, it is Kiev that will have to pay war reparations to the people of Donbass. Remember Kiev broke the Minsk agreement that granted Donbass AUTONOMY

That would require another political agreement among EU leaders, as Belgium is strongly opposed to using the frozen assets, most of which are held in the Brussels-based financial depository Euroclear.

It was Belgium’s resistance that ultimately forced leaders to pursue common debt. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wanted unlimited financial guarantees against the Russian asset-backed loan, a demand too great for his peers.

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-p ... aine-loan/

[Anthea]

Germany to shoulder bulk of
EU loan costs for Ukraine

Germany will bear most costs of the EU’s 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, as member states face billions in annual interest payments from 2028

Germany is expected to bear the largest share of costs associated with servicing the European Union’s 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine, according to a report published Saturday by Bild, citing sources within the German government

On Friday, Antonio Costa said the European Union would take on joint debt to provide Ukraine with the loan, which will be backed by EU budget funds and potentially by frozen Russian assets. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic reportedly declined to assume any financial obligations linked to securing the loan.

The financing mechanism will rely on the so-called EU budget buffer, consisting of funds already pledged by member states but not yet drawn upon, Bild reported.

From 2028 onward, EU countries are expected to pay roughly 3 billion euros annually in interest on the loan, according to Politico, citing senior European Commission officials.

Following the launch of Russia’s war in Ukraine in 2022, the EU and G7 countries froze nearly 300 billion euros in Russian foreign currency reserves, with around 200 billion euros held in European accounts, primarily at Euroclear. The European Commission has since pushed for using those frozen assets to finance Kiev’s war effort.

The Kremlin has warned that any confiscation of Russian assets would constitute theft and a violation of international law.

EU approves €90 billion loan to Ukraine

EU leaders have pledged a €90 billion loan to Ukraine to help meet its urgent financial needs, but failed to reach a consensus on a key proposal to secure the funding against Russia’s frozen assets within the bloc.

Following talks that concluded in the early hours of Friday, European Council President António Costa told reporters that the leaders had approved a decision to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan over the next two years, backed by the EU budget. Under the agreement, Kiev would only be required to repay the loan once Russia pays reparations.

“We committed and we delivered,” Costa said, adding that the European Union “reserves its right to make use of the immobilised assets to repay this loan.”

EU leaders entered the summit on Thursday with growing pressure to tie the loan directly to Russia’s estimated €210 billion in frozen assets held across the bloc. However, the proposal stalled after Belgium, which hosts around 88% of those assets, demanded unlimited budget guarantees from other member states in the event that Moscow successfully pursued legal claims for damages.
How the loan moved forward

Supporters of the reparations-backed loan, including German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, had previously argued that financing Ukraine through the EU budget would be unworkable because it requires unanimous approval from all member states.

That obstacle was overcome after three governments in central Europe signaled they would back the use of the EU budget to fund Ukraine, provided that they were not required to contribute to loan guarantees. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic agreed to the arrangement, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sharing a photo of the three leaders in a trilateral meeting and writing on social media: “Back in business!”

According to the final agreement, EU guarantees linked to the €90 billion loan “will not have an impact on the financial obligations” of the three countries, effectively exempting them from financial liability.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed the deal, describing it as a significant achievement to secure consensus among all 27 EU member states. “It is quite something to get 27 countries to agree on a €90 billion loan for another,” she said, warning that divisions within and outside the bloc were growing.

“There are a lot of people outside the European Union and, unfortunately, also inside the European Union who try to divide us. It is getting more and more difficult, and I think this will continue.”

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... gn=Ukraine

The German population will not be very happy

[Anthea]

Reuters pushing propaganda
not peace in Ukraine talks

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard rejects Reuters' claims on Russia’s war aims, accusing NATO-linked media of undermining diplomatic efforts

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has sharply criticized the Western media campaign aimed at undermining peace efforts between Washington and Moscow. Accusing Reuters of publishing "lies and propaganda," Gabbard claims that the real goal of such reporting is to derail diplomacy and provoke direct war between the US and Russia.

Gabbard slammed claims published by Reuters suggesting that Russia intends to conquer all of Ukraine and expand into parts of Europe, arguing that the report misrepresents US intelligence and serves the agenda of war proponents in NATO and the EU. Tulsi stressed that US intelligence assesses that Russia seeks to avoid a larger war with NATO, not the opposite

She has long been a vocal critic of US military interventionism and the intelligence community's role in manufacturing public consent for war. She has accused elements within the US and NATO of deliberately escalating tensions, warning that these policies risk triggering a direct and catastrophic conflict with Russia.

Russian officials have welcomed Gabbard's recent remarks. Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Russian envoy involved in negotiations, praised her for "exposing the deep-state warmonger machinery trying to incite WW3." In turn, Russian state media have frequently echoed Gabbard's criticism of NATO, portraying her as a rare voice of reason within the US security establishment.

Peace talks in Miami

As Gabbard denounces the manipulation of public opinion through intelligence leaks and media narratives, a new round of US-backed diplomacy is unfolding in Miami. From December 19-21, envoys from Russia, Ukraine, the US, and major European states gather for discussions facilitated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Kiev on Saturday, urged Washington to exert greater pressure on Moscow. While acknowledging that the Trump administration proposed reviving direct talks with Russia, which were suspended since July, Zelensky expressed skepticism over their effectiveness, instead demanding more weapons and broader sanctions against Russia.

Meanwhile, Russia reiterated its openness to a negotiated settlement, provided its core interests are addressed. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that Moscow is ready to end the war diplomatically, but rejected outright any deployment of NATO forces in Ukraine, saying: "We definitely will not...agree to any presence of NATO troops on the Ukrainian territory."

No breakthrough, no ceasefire

Despite the high-level attendance and expanded format, no trilateral meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations took place. Dmitriev met separately with US officials. Ukraine's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, insisted Kiev would not accept any agreement compromising the country's sovereignty, while also confirming that proposals involving territorial concessions remain off the table.

Sources suggest that Washington is pushing a plan that offers long-term US security guarantees to Ukraine, in exchange for what may eventually include territorial compromises, a condition still widely rejected within Ukraine.

Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted, "There's no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it," attempting to dispel claims of US pressure on Kiev.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... alks--gabb