Right here is the scenario because it stands on Friday, December 16.
Preventing
- Russia pounded Ukraine with missiles within the japanese area of Kharkiv, the Black Sea area of Odesa and in Vinnytsia in west-central Ukraine, hitting vital infrastructure throughout the nation and leaving some areas with out energy as individuals took cowl in shelters, Ukrainian officers mentioned.
- A brand new Russian offensive may happen in February when half of the 300,000 troopers conscripted by Russia in October to assist the warfare would full coaching, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov speculated.
- Russian forces carried out 23 air raids and 4 missile strikes, in addition to 78 bombardments utilizing a number of rocket launchers within the Donetsk area up to now 24 hours, Ukraine’s Basic Employees mentioned.
- No less than eight individuals had been killed and 23 wounded by Ukrainian shelling within the village of Lantrativka within the Russia-controlled Luhansk area of Ukraine, Russia’s state TASS information company reported.
- UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk mentioned additional assaults on Ukraine’s infrastructure may result in extreme humanitarian deterioration and displacement.
Diplomacy
- European Union leaders wrapped up their final summit of 2022 with an settlement to offer 18 billion euros ($19bn) in financing to Ukraine subsequent yr and slap extra sanctions on Russia after Poland withdrew its objections to a minimal company tax because the bloc ready to cap gasoline costs and prop up its business.
- EU states can purchase arms collectively to replenish shares after supplying Ukraine, mentioned Jiri Sedivy, chief government of the European Defence Company, warning america might not at all times be capable to defend Europe from threats.
- US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo will urge allies to offer continued “well timed” assist for Ukraine and focus on easy methods to implement the value cap on Russian oil throughout visits to Germany’s capital Berlin, and Brussels, this week, the Treasury Division mentioned.
- The US army will likely be increasing its coaching of Ukrainian army personnel in Germany, the Pentagon mentioned, together with coaching roughly 500 Ukrainians monthly in mixed arms.
Financial system
- The US has imposed a brand new spherical of economic penalties on individuals and entities concerned in Russia’s monetary sector, with the targets together with one of many nation’s richest males, Vladimir Potanin.
- President Vladimir Putin mentioned Russia will develop commerce with new companions, together with switching gasoline flows to japanese neighbours amid EU sanctions, saying “we’ll by no means take the route of self-isolation”.
- United Nations support chief Martin Griffiths mentioned it was unlikely the Black Sea grain deal could be expanded within the close to time period to incorporate extra Ukrainian ports or scale back inspection instances.
- Greater than 14 million tonnes of grain have been exported from Ukraine beneath the Black Sea take care of Russia, easing international meals costs, the UN has mentioned.