Ukraine reside weblog: ++ EU nations agree on new Russia sanctions ++ | EUROtoday

Next Monday, new EU sanctions in opposition to Russia are to return into pressure. The head of the Russian state fund is already anticipating the return of US corporations to Russia this yr.

The most vital developments:

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrow praised US President Donald Trump for his assertion that the earlier US assist for Ukraine’s NATO accession was the principle explanation for struggle. Trump had defined that Russia may have allowed Ukraine to affix NATO. He blames his predecessor Joe Biden by the Democrats for the truth that the United States had modified its perspective to NATO membership in Ukraine. “He is the first and in my opinion the only western head of state who has explained publicly and loudly that one of the basic causes of the situation in Ukraine was the outrageous attitude of the previous government to include Ukraine in NATO,” mentioned Lavrow . This is a sign that Trump understands President Vladimir Putin’s place.

In view of the drastic change after all within the Ukraine coverage of the United States, EU Council President António Costa is contemplating the convening of an EU particular summit. According to data from the dpa information company, Costa has given the pinnacle of state and authorities of the 27 EU nations particular questions concerning the additional assist of Ukraine and to doable safety ensures for the nation. Costa needs to search out out what the EU nations are keen to do. If there’s a widespread foundation, an EU particular summit must be organized to make choices. At the second, the President shouldn’t be but capable of convene such a unprecedented summit, an EU officer mentioned. A gathering solely is sensible if there’s a stable foundation for a great dialogue and a related consequence.

According to the German Red Cross, the mixing of refugee Ukrainians is in danger via medium -cuts. The pattern of saving applications could be felt into the municipalities, mentioned the pinnacle of youth and welfare care of the help group, Joß Steinke, in Berlin. As an instance, he cited fewer means for psychosocial facilities, but additionally for language and integration programs basically. It is problematic to solely construct such applications and buildings after the arrival of a bigger variety of refugees for a yr or two after which re -adjust. Steinke appealed to the upcoming federal authorities to keep up lengthy -term buildings in order that they don’t have to begin repeatedly.

Three years after the start of the Ukraine War, nearly 300,000 folks from the nation in Germany pursue work. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) mentioned that greater than 245,000 are topic to social safety contributions. The figures come from the latest extrapolation from November 2024. According to the BA, newer figures haven’t but been met.

For comparability: At the start of the Russian struggle of aggression on Ukraine in February 2022, 230,500 Ukrainians had been much less working in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the variety of Ukrainian folks in Germany rose by greater than eight instances to 1.256 million (as of October 31, 2024). According to the BA, 211,000 Ukrainians are at the moment unemployed. 98,000 folks participate in integration programs, 29,000 folks in skilled language programs and 21,000 Ukrainians in labor market applications.

According to the Russian Presidential Office, President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are nonetheless doable in February. However, this takes preparation time, mentioned spokesman Dmitri Peskow. The talks on Monday in Riad are an vital step in direction of an settlement on the Ukraine battle. The relationship between the 2 superpowers should first be revived earlier than it may be restored. US President Trump had mentioned yesterday that he would meet Putin “probably still in February”.

After a Russian assault, in line with Ukrainian data, tens of 1000’s of individuals within the port metropolis of Odessa are with out electrical energy, water and heating. The mayor of the town, Hennadij Truchanow, wrote at Telegram of a “massive enemy attack” within the metropolis’s densely populated space. More than 250,000 persons are with out electrical energy. At least 4 folks had been injured.

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj wrote in community X of not less than 160,000 folks with out electrical energy in Odessa. Russia once more attacked a civilian power system. Selenskyj referred to the US and Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting within the Saudi Arabian capital Riad on Tuesday, through which Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had denied such assaults.

According to a Ukrainian media report, the US particular consultant for Ukraine and Russia, KEITH Kellogg, arrived in Kiev. Kellogg confirmed recordings of the Suspilne broadcaster how he arrived within the Ukrainian capital and was acquired by the US ambassador in Ukraine, Bridget Brink. During his three -day keep in Ukraine, Kellogg needs to fulfill President Wolodymyr Selenskyj. The US particular officer has been in Europe for a couple of days, amongst different issues he was on the Munich Security Conference.

The EU nations have agreed on a brand new package deal with Russia sanctions as a result of ongoing struggle of aggression in opposition to Ukraine. It ought to come into pressure on the third anniversary of the invasion subsequent Monday, because the Polish EU Presidency introduced after a call within the committee of the fixed representatives of the Member States in Brussels.

According to the governor, the situation of the oil refinerie within the Russian Oblast Samara Oblast within the Russian Oblast Samara is underneath management. There is not any main harm to the power within the metropolis of Sysran, writes Wjatscheslaw Fedorischtschew on Telegram. All different episodes have been eradicated. He had beforehand reported an assault. Samara is positioned within the south of Russia, removed from the border to Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces repeatedly assault oil refineries in Russia, which in line with their depiction of the care of the Russian armed forces.

The head of the Russian state fund, Kirill Dmitrjew, is already anticipating the return of US corporations to Russia this yr. The Russian fund for direct investments “expects a number of American companies to return to the Russian market in the second quarter of 2025,” quotes the state Russian information company TASS DMITRJEW. “But the return process for American companies is not easy because many niches are already occupied.” Companies from the USA and Europe have withdrawn from the Russian market as a part of the sanctions that had been imposed in opposition to Russia due to its assault on Ukraine.

The Russian delegation in Riyadh belonged to Dmitrjew. The fund he headed was based by the Russian authorities to spend money on the home economic system.

Trump reacted mockingly to criticism from Ukraine that the nation had not been invited to talks in Riad. “I heard today: Oh, we weren’t invited,” mentioned the Republican – and pushed after: “Well, you have been there for three years.” The struggle ought to have ended way back, he warned – and accused the Ukrainians failed: “You should never have started. You could have done a deal.” In Kiev there may be “a lead that had allowed a war that should never have existed”. With a view of Selenskyj, Trump mentioned: “I like him personally, he’s fine.” But it isn’t about private sympathy, however about “the job is done”.

A Russian assault on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa ensures failures in electrical energy, warmth and water provide, as Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov introduced. “Hospitals, clinics and social infrastructure institutions no longer have heating,” wrote Trukhanov within the Telegram information app and described the assault on Odessa as huge. Trukhanov posted footage on Telegram that present buildings with destroyed home windows and broken facades. He didn’t present details about lifeless or accidents.

According to a media report, the Trump authorities apparently pauses all immigration purposes from migrants from Ukraine and Latin America. As the explanation for the cease, fraud and safety considerations had been cited in a report by CBS News, citing two authorities members and an inside memo.

In view of the tensions with the US authorities, Europe ought to work in direction of a stronger protection collectively within the opinion of a number one peace researcher. “If the European countries want to optimize their military efforts, they have to bring their armed forces and defense efforts together much more,” mentioned the director of the Stockholm Peace Research Institute Sipri, Dan Smith, the dpa information company.

Trump’s solo objectives in negotiations with Russia on the way forward for Ukraine with out the participation of Europe and the attacked nation can not acquire something good. “I cannot see how the US approach can bring a sustainable peace. To be honest, I don’t even think that he will bring a sustainable ceasefire,” he mentioned. “I think this is a senseless undertaking.”

The Russian Ministry of Defense has introduced that the flight protection shot 21 Ukrainian drones on Tuesday night. 20 drones had been hit over the western area of Brjansk, one other over the Crimea peninsula, the Ministry posted on the Telegram Social Media platform.

According to his personal data, US President Trump will in all probability meet with the Russian President Putin earlier than the top of the month. The Latvian authorities plans to extend its navy spending to 5 % of the gross home product.