David Cameron appointed foreign secretary as James Cleverly confirmed as home secretary – UK politics live

Former PM will take seat in House of Lords; Suella Braverman says she will have ‘more to say in due course’

the Guardian

#XiJinping and #Biden expected to discuss #UkraineWar at #Apec meeting; #Germany says aid to #Ukraine will be ‘massively expanded’ in 2024

#RussiaUkraineWar at a glance: what we know on day 629 | Ukraine | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-629

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 629

Xi and Biden expected to discuss Ukraine war at Apec meeting; Germany says aid to Ukraine will be ‘massively expanded’ in 2024

The Guardian

With built-in radar and twin 35mm autocannons, the Gepard is the ideal mobile antidrone defense system. #DroneWar #Jordan

#US Secures 60 #Gepard Anti-Aircraft Systems for #Ukraine in $118 Million Deal - Militarnyi
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/u-s-secures-60-gepard-anti-aircraft-systems-for-ukraine-in-118-million-deal/U.S.

Russia-Ukraine war live: Germany says EU target of 1m pieces of ammunition for Ukraine will not be met

Boris Pistorius says ‘it is safe to assume’ goal will be missed as European defence ministers meet to discuss ongoing commitment to Ukraine

the Guardian

Ms Politkovskaya, an investigative reporter and vocal critic of #Russia's war in #Chechnya, was shot in a lift in her block of flats.

Her reporting for #NovayaGazeta newspaper won international renown for her dogged investigation of Russian abuses in Chechnya.

#AnnaPolitkovskaya: Russian convicted of journalist murder gets pardon fighting in #Ukraine - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67414517?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA&utm_source=press.coop

image source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Politkovskaya

Anna Politkovskaya: Russian convicted of journalist murder gets pardon

An ex-police officer jailed for the 2006 murder of Anna Politkovskaya is freed after fighting in Ukraine.

BBC News

One of the world’s biggest accountancy firms helped #Russia’s “richest” #oligarch attempt to transfer £1bn in a public company on the day he was placed under #EUSanctions, leaked documents suggest. The disclosure raises serious questions about the role played by #PwC #Cyprus in a potential #SanctionsBreach.

#PriceWaterhouseCooper #Ukraine #UkraineWar #CyprusConfidential

PwC Cyprus moved £1bn for Russian tycoon on day he was put under sanctions | Business | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/14/pwc-cyprus-russian-tycoons-ukraine-invasion-sanctions

PwC Cyprus moved £1bn for Russian tycoon on day he was put under sanctions

Leaked files raise questions over timing of deal as government of Cyprus reveals ‘ongoing’ criminal investigation

The Guardian

The role of the blue-chip accountants #PwC Cyprus and other advisers in managing transactions as Vladimir #Putin’s forces launched their assault has emerged from #CyprusConfidential, a cache of 3.6m files leaked by an anonymous source to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (#ICIJ) and Germany’s Paper Trail Media. #Russia #UkraineWar

#Cyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after #Ukraine invasion
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/14/cyprus-to-clamp-down-as-investigation-reveals-oligarchs-moved-assets-after-ukraine-invasion

Cyprus to clamp down as investigation reveals oligarchs moved assets after Ukraine invasion

Biggest ever leak of financial data from Cyprus raises concerns over EU state’s role in managing Russian fortunes

The Guardian

The documents, and Seipel’s response, suggest the payments were for his work on a 2015 biography called #Putin: Inner Views of Power and a 2021 title, Putin’s Power: Why #Europe Needs #Russia, both originally written in German.

Seipel does not appear to have disclosed the payments to his publisher.

#CyprusConfidential #Ukraine

Top German journalist received €600,000 from Putin ally, leak reveals | #Germany
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/14/german-journalist-putin-hubert-seipel

Top German journalist received €600,000 from Putin ally, leak reveals

Influential author and broadcaster Hubert Seipel received financial support for his work on two books described by many as sympathetic to Russian president

The Guardian

The war in #Ukraine has backfired on #Russia in almost every conceivable way, from kickstarting #NATO expansion to affirming the Ukrainian national consciousness. If #Putin truly believes the future masters of #AI will be masters of the universe, the war’s closing of Russia’s narrow window to catch up in the field may be the most devastating consequence of all.

Putin Wants Russia to Win the #ArtificialIntelligence Race. Here’s Why it Won’t - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/14/putin-wants-russia-to-win-the-artificial-intelligence-race-heres-why-it-wont-a83103

Putin Wants Russia to Win the Artificial Intelligence Race. Here’s Why it Won’t

Opinion | “Whoever leads in AI will rule the world,” President Vladimir Putin declared at an address commencing the 2017 Russian school year.

The Moscow Times
The foreign secretary, #DavidCameron, met the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr #Zelenskiy, during a trip to #Kyiv on Thursday, pledging continued military support and a refocus on #Ukraine as conflict continues in the #MiddleEast.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/16/russia-ukraine-war-live-ukrainian-pushback-along-3-8km-front-at-occupied-kherson?page=with:block-6555cdf88f08945e7e4d0003#block-6555cdf88f08945e7e4d0003
Russia-Ukraine war live: David Cameron makes first visit to Ukraine as new UK foreign secretary

Foreign secretary meets Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy during trip to Kyiv, pledging continued military support

the Guardian
#Russia is increasingly trying to lure central Asian migrants to work in the parts of #Ukraine it occupies, or trapping them into fighting for its army. On the pretext of uncovering some kind of offence – real or fabricated – Russian authorities sometimes offer migrants a stark choice: prison or go to the front.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/16/russia-ukraine-war-live-ukrainian-pushback-along-3-8km-front-at-occupied-kherson?page=with:block-6555cdf88f08945e7e4d0003#block-6555cdf88f08945e7e4d0003
Russia-Ukraine war live: David Cameron makes first visit to Ukraine as new UK foreign secretary

Foreign secretary meets Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy during trip to Kyiv, pledging continued military support

the Guardian

It's also possible Russia doesn't have enough border guards anymore because of the war in #Ukraine.
-----
Russian border guards usually stop people without valid #EU visas from crossing into #Finland. But on Wednesday #Niinistö said he believed #Russia had started guiding asylum seekers towards Finnish crossing points in retaliation for #Helsinki’s plans to sign a defence cooperation agreement with #Washington.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/16/finland-russia-border-asylum-seekers-us-defence-agreement-sauli-niinisto

Finland to close some border crossings with Russia after rise in asylum seekers

Finnish president had accused Moscow of guiding people towards Finland in act of revenge for cooperation with US

The Guardian

Here are the latest developments:

#Ukraine says its forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the #DniproRiver - potentially allowing it to transfer vital equipment across the river
#Russia has been focusing its efforts on eastern Ukraine with fighting continuing around #Bakhmut and near #Donetsk

Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia - BBC News
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60506682

Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia

How are Russia and Ukraine placed after three years of fighting and with Donald Trump pushing for a negotiated settlement to halt the war.

Here's to hoping Kherson will have a bombardment free Christmas this year 🕊️
-----
The Ukrainian armed forces have said they have carried out “successful actions” on the east bank of the #DniproRiver.

The river has been the de facto front line in southern #Ukraine since Russian forces withdrew from the #Kherson region last November.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/17/russia-ukraine-war-live-thousands-of-ukrainian-children-taken-to-belarus-yale-research-shows?page=with:block-655725788f08945e7e4d0eec#block-655725788f08945e7e4d0eec

Russia-Ukraine war live: thousands of Ukrainian children taken to Belarus, Yale research shows

More than 2,400 children taken to neighbouring country as part of Russian relocation programme, study says

the Guardian

#Girkin, who is also known by the alias #IgorStrelkov, has repeatedly said #Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless Vladimir #Putin’s military leadership fights the war in #Ukraine more effectively.

Pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin says he wants to run for president
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/19/russia-ukraine-war-live-wave-of-drone-attacks-on-kyiv-for-second-night?page=with:block-6559dd648f08ee81dbe5b004#block-6559dd648f08ee81dbe5b004

Russia-Ukraine war live: wave of drone attacks on Kyiv for second night

British MoD says heavy Russian losses at Avdiivka and little progress for either side; Germany’s Scholz calls on Putin to withdraw troops and seek peace

the Guardian

...cheerfully assisted by the Russian army who sells them bicycles and tells them where to go. Finland will have to seal it's Russia border soon. #Ukraine #NATO

Asylum seekers biking into #Finland from #Russia
https://euobserver.com/world/157712?utm_source=euobs&utm_medium=rss

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111419597767722508

Asylum seekers biking into Finland from Russia

The Russian army is telling Syrians where to cross into Finland on bicycles, according to posts on a Telegram account with around 7,500 subscribers.

EUobserver
Not possible to return asylum seekers who arrived from Russia, Finnish president says – as it happened

Sauli Niinistö calls for close cooperation on border security during visit to Poland

the Guardian

#HELSINKI (Reuters) - Dozens of #migrants stood behind barriers at two crossings on #Finland's border with #Russia on Saturday, the Finnish Border Guard said, after Helsinki erected barricades to halt a flow of asylum seekers it says was instigated by #Moscow. #Russia #Ukraine #NATO

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/dozens-of-migrants-wait-at-finland-russia-border-after-helsinki-blocks-crossings/ar-AA1kbE7Y

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111443825302820606

MSN

Unlike other instances where #Congress tends to quickly approve urgently needed aid, lawmakers in both parties are now openly questioning whether an emergency package for #Israel and #Ukraine can get done at all. #US

Fears grow in Congress over Ukraine and Israel aid amid dispute over #immigration and spending cuts | CNN Politics
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/21/politics/congress-israel-ukraine-aid-border/index.html

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Wednesday that as of the end of Friday, only its northernmost border crossing with #Russia, Raja-Jooseppi, will remain open.

#RajaJooseppi is the northernmost [border crossing], and it requires a real effort to get there,” Orpo said at a press conference. #NATO #Ukraine

#Finland to close all but one of its border crossings with Russia | Migration News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/finland-to-close-all-but-one-of-its-border-crossings-with-russia

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111443951201296203

Finland to close all but one of its border crossings with Russia

Helsinki accuses Moscow of weaponising desperate refugees and migrants in retaliation for its recent entry into NATO.

Al Jazeera

#EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said this week that the challenges on #Finland’s border gave her a feeling of “deja vu,” two years after #Belarus began driving migrants into #Latvia, #Lithuania and #Poland in what European officials said was an attempt to destabilize the 27-nation bloc. #NATO #Ukraine

EU sends border police reinforcements to Finland over fears that #Russia is behind a migrant influx
https://apnews.com/article/finland-russia-border-frontex-guards-2fc202b3a900d6887e0152b235a0a00d

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111457377248881157

EU sends border police reinforcements to Finland over fears that Russia is behind a migrant influx

The European Union’s border agency says that it will send dozens of officers and equipment as reinforcements to Finland to help police its borders amid suspicion that Russia is behind an influx of migrants arriving to the country. Frontex said Thursday that it expects a “significant reinforcement” made up of 50 border guard officers and other staff along with patrol cars and additional equipment to be put in place as soon as next week. Around 600 migrants without proper visas and documentation have arrived in Finland so far this month compared to a few dozen in September and October. They include people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco and Somalia.

AP News

The Nordic country has already taken decisions to close seven stations, leaving open only the northernmost remote border point, #RajaJooseppi in #Lapland. #NATO #Ukraine

#Finland Warns Border to Be Sealed If #Russia Keeps Up Pressure
https://news.yahoo.com/finland-warns-border-sealed-russia-195403617.html

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111460303721326446

Finland Warns Border to Be Sealed If Russia Keeps Up Pressure

(Bloomberg) -- Finland’s government will close its one remaining crossing point with Russia if its neighbor continues with a hybrid operation to push asylum ...

Yahoo News

The many weaknesses in the Russian economy nonetheless remain apparent. #GDP has not grown above pre-2014 levels because of Western financial sanctions and its odious #kleptocracy. It is not very stable. The exchange rate of the #ruble jumps like a yo-yo. The underlying reason for this is massive #CapitalFlight, #Russia’s exclusion from international financial markets, and its limited liquid reserves. #Ukraine #UkraineWar

Why the Russian #Economy’s Luck is Running Out
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/21/why-the-russian-economys-luck-is-running-out-a83165

Why the Russian Economy’s Luck is Running Out

Opinion | The Russian economy has so far done better than expected in the face of severe Western sanctions and the strains of its war on Ukraine.

The Moscow Times
Kajsa Ollongren, who is serving as defence minister in the #Netherlands’ outgoing government, said she hopes military support to #Ukraine will continue, Reuters reports.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/24/russia-ukraine-war-live-putin-zelenskiy-latest-updates?page=with:block-65609c498f0862dd912f4ad8#block-65609c498f0862dd912f4ad8
Russia-Ukraine war live: Finland shuts nearly all crossings to Russia; fears for Dutch aid for Ukraine after shock election result

More than 700 people crossed border in past weeks; defence minister in outgoing Dutch government concerned by PVV stance towards aid

the Guardian

Russian authorities will transport 55 asylum seekers who were waiting to cross the now-closed #Salla border crossing with #Finland to the last open crossing in the north of the #Murmansk region, its governor announced Friday. #RajaJooseppi #NATO #Ukraine

#Russia to Transport Dozens of Migrants to Last Open Finnish Border Checkpoint - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/11/24/russia-to-transport-dozens-of-migrants-to-last-open-finnish-border-checkpoint-a83217

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111462916546422183

Russia to Transport Dozens of Migrants to Last Open Finnish Border Checkpoint

Russian authorities will transport 55 asylum seekers who were waiting to cross the now-closed Salla border crossing with Finland to the last open crossing in the north of the Murmansk region, its governor announced Friday.  Another 200 foreign nationals who were unable to cross the border have decided to stay in Russia and will be provided with a bus connection to St.

The Moscow Times

Additional concrete barriers were placed on the bridge connecting #Estonia and #Russia on Friday evening as preparations continue for a possible future closure of the border. #Ukraine #Finland

PPA puts more barriers on Estonian-Russian border | News | ERR
https://news.err.ee/1609175470/ppa-puts-more-barriers-on-estonian-russian-border

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111468633693651384

PPA puts more barriers on Estonian-Russian border

Additional concrete barriers were placed on the bridge connecting Estonia and Russia on Friday evening as preparations continue for a possible future closure of the border.

Eesti Rahvusringhääling | ERR

The attack, which used Iranian-designed #Shahed kamikaze drones, reportedly began hitting different districts of #Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, with more waves coming as the sun rose. The air raid warning lasted for six hours.

Air force chief Mykola Oleschuk said 71 of the 75 drones launched at #Ukraine had been downed.

More than 70 Russian drones hit Kyiv, wounding five: Ukrainian officials | #Russia-#UkraineWar News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/25/more-than-70-russian-drones-hit-kyiv-wounding-five-ukrainian-officials

More than 70 Russian drones hit Kyiv, wounding five: Ukrainian officials

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack an act of ‘wilful terror’.

Al Jazeera

Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo has announced that the last remaining open border crossing with #Russia will be closed this week.

#Finland has accused Russia over the past days of orchestrating the arrival of people from third countries at its border. #RajaJooseppi #Ukraine #NATO

Finnish border with Russia to be closed for two weeks, prime minister announces
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/28/geert-wilders-netherlands-government-nato-migration-europe-latest-news?page=with:block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b#block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111468671695572044

Finland to close border with Russia for two weeks, prime minister announces – as it happened

Finnish PM Petteri Orpo says border crossing will close from Thursday as Finland accuses Russia of orchestrating arrival of people from third countries

the Guardian

The tense situation on the border has developed rapidly in the last two weeks, with #Finland accusing #Russia of driving #AsylumSeekers to its border as an act of revenge for its cooperation with the #US. Relations between the two countries have worsened in recent months, particularly since Finland became a member of #Nato in April. #RajaJooseppi

Finland closes entire border with Russia after tensions over asylum seekers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/finland-closes-entire-border-with-russia-after-tensions-over-asylum-seekers

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111488923333191754

Finland closes entire border with Russia after tensions over asylum seekers

Temporary closure comes after Finnish intelligence suggested Russia was helping asylum seekers reach the border

The Guardian

In recent weeks, there’s been a surge in #MiddleEastern and #African migrants trying to enter #Finland from #Russia. Finnish officials have accused #Moscow of orchestrating an artificial influx of asylum seekers at the border as retaliation for Finland’s accession to #NATO, a view which the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has called “very strange.” #Ukraine

Weaponized migration
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/11/28/weaponized-migration

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111490114954400164

Weaponized migration Chat groups show would-be asylum seekers offered transport through Russia to the Finnish border. Some suspect Moscow’s involvement. — Meduza

In recent weeks, there’s been a surge in Middle Eastern and African migrants trying to enter Finland from Russia. Finnish officials have accused Moscow of orchestrating an artificial influx of asylum seekers at the border as retaliation for Finland’s accession to NATO, a view which the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has called “very strange.” Migrants are reportedly allowed into Russian territory without proper documentation, driven to checkpoints, and sent across on bicycles in freezing temperatures. On November 24, Finland closed all but one border crossing with Russia and has now announced it will close the remaining one for two weeks, starting November 30. To better understand the situation, Russian and Finnish journalists analyzed group chats on messaging apps and on social media where citizens of third countries allegedly discuss how to transit Russia in order to seek asylum in Finland.

Meduza

Ukrainian government cyber snoops claim they've infiltrated the computer systems of #Russia's federal air transport agency #Rosaviatsiya, and stolen data that shows the invading nation’s civil aviation sector is on the "verge of collapse." #UkraineWar

#Ukraine claims Russia's planes in peril as #sanctions bite | #Aviation | The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/28/ukraine_claims_hackandleak_shows_russian/?td=rt-3a

Ukraine cyber spies claim Putin's planes are in peril as sanctions bite

Aeroflot fleet still has a smoking section, but not for tobacco

The Register

For months, #Turkey and #Hungary have delayed ratification of #Sweden’s #Nato membership, fuelling frustration within the military alliance. #Ukraine

Turkey told Sweden it expects Nato bid ratification 'within weeks', Swedish minister says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/29/sweden-nato-turkey-ratification-membership-europe-latest-updates?page=with:block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d#block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d

Turkish foreign minister told Sweden its Nato bid will be ratified ‘within weeks’ – Europe live

Tobias Billström, Sweden’s foreign minister, says it is ‘high time to get this ratification done by Turkey and Hungary’

the Guardian

#Ukraine has hailed the return of #ScythianGold treasures as a “symbolic and historic” victory over #Russia, which had laid claim to the artefacts in a decade-long struggle over ownership.

On Tuesday the collection was shown off in #Kyiv. They are among 1,000 items lent in 2013 by four museums in #Crimea for an exhibition in the #Netherlands.

‘Part of our history’: Ukraine hails return of Scythian gold treasures
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/part-of-our-history-ukraine-hails-return-of-scythian-gold-treasures

‘Part of our history’: Ukraine hails return of Scythian gold treasures

Items lent to Netherlands from Crimea in 2013 before Russia’s annexation had been subject of decade-long struggle

The Guardian

Vesa Arffman, the head of Ivalo border guard station, also in #Lapland, says the past few weeks have been “hectic”, preparing for #AsylumSeeker arrivals and the recent increase in numbers.

“For me personally, I would hope that it was a once in a lifetime experience,” Arffman said. #RajaJooseppi #NATO #Ukraine

‘This may be just the beginning’: the guards at #Finland’s closed Russian border
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/30/this-may-be-just-the-beginning-the-guards-at-finlands-closed-russian-border

Back toot: https://noc.social/@Norobiik/111491541492258836

‘This may be just the beginning’: the guards at Finland’s closed Russian border

As remote Arctic crossing points are shut, officers say they plan to stick to the job in the glare of a geopolitical spotlight

The Guardian

The Institute for the Study of War said: "The #Kremlin is likely concerned about how changing Russian perceptions of the Russian war in #Ukraine will affect the outcome of the March 2024 Russian presidential election and is implementing measures to ensure that Russian President Vladimir #Putin's actual electoral support does not rest on Russian battlefield successes."

Vladimir Putin on the brink as Russian support for #UkraineWar collapses
https://the-express.com/news/world-news/120162/vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-war-support-poll-120162

A freight train was targeted with four explosions as it traveled through the #Severnomuysky tunnel in #Russia's far east, on the #BaikalAmur line running to the border with #China.

The attack did not end there, as #Ukraine's #SBU anticipated that traffic would be redirected following the attack and struck again as a train passed over a bridge as part of the alternative route, say reports.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-predicted-where-russia-would-reroute-trains-after-it-blasted-the-railroad-connecting-russia-and-china-and-then-attacked-again-report-says

MSN

The invasion of #Ukraine has brought about an exodus of tech talent, a budget crunch that strangles investment, sanctions that deny #Russia the chips needed for the immense computing requirements of #AI and political/scientific isolation. All these limit Russia to become a (very) junior partner of #China in the field of #GenerativeAI

Russia-China Alliance Would Build Artificial Intelligence For Dictators - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/12/02/russia-china-alliance-would-build-artificial-intelligence-for-dictators-a83299

Russia-China Alliance Would Build Artificial Intelligence For Dictators

Opinion | President Vladimir Putin struck a triumphant tone at last week’s Artificial Intelligence Journey Conference in Moscow.

The Moscow Times

“I want to be clear: without congressional action, by the end of the year we will run out of resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from US military stocks,” Shalanda Young, director of the office of management and budget, wrote in the letter, parts of which were published by the Hill.

#White House warns it is ‘out of money and nearly out of time’ to aid #Ukraine | #USCongress | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/04/white-house-ukraine-military-aid-warning

White House warns it is ‘out of money and nearly out of time’ to aid Ukraine

Government has already gone through $111bn in military aid for Ukraine and urges Congress to approve additional funding

The Guardian

The polling, of six #EU member states for the European Council on Foreign Relations (#ECFR), found considerable support for the candidacies of #Ukraine and, to a lesser extent, #Moldova and @Montenegro, but also deep economic and security concerns.

Europeans open to Ukraine joining EU, survey shows before key summit | #EuropeanUnion | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/12/europeans-open-to-ukraine-joining-eu-survey-shows-before-key-summit

Europeans open to Ukraine joining EU, survey shows before key summit

Polling reveals cool attitude to accession of Georgia and some western Balkan states, and opposition to admitting Turkey

The Guardian

Typical 🙄

#Hungary blocks €50bn in #EU aid for #Ukraine hours after membership talks were approved | Ukraine | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/15/hungary-blocks-50bn-in-eu-aid-for-ukraine-hours-after-membership-talks-were-approved

Hungary blocks €50bn in EU aid for Ukraine hours after membership talks approved

Viktor Orbán says extra money to Kyiv had been vetoed but talks would resume in the new year

The Guardian

#WASHINGTON — As the House adjourned Thursday for Christmas recess with plans to return in the new year, the #Senate decided to delay its holiday break and return next week to hammer out a deal on immigration and aid to #Ukraine and #Israel. #US

As House adjourns, Senate delays holiday recess to work on #ImmigrationDeal
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-adjourns-senate-delays-holiday-immigration-deal-ukraine-israel-rcna129815

As House adjourns, Senate delays holiday recess to work on immigration deal

The House adjourned for the year, as the Senate continues working on a deal that would include immigration reforms and aid for Ukraine and Israel.

NBC News

After a two-week period of total closure of the border, two of the eight crossings on the 830-mile land frontier were reopened briefly.

But the decision was swiftly taken to reclose the crossing points after after an estimated 36 people crossed over from #Russia seeking asylum, the Finnish border guard said. #Ukraine

#Finland reopens Russia border but shuts it again amid asylum row | #NATO | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/14/finland-reopens-russia-border-but-shuts-it-again-amid-asylum-row

Finland reopens Russia border but shuts it again amid asylum row

Helsinki accuses Moscow of orchestrated ‘hybrid operation’ that Kremlin denies after 36 people cross from east

The Guardian

The Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of #Ukraine has reported a significant outbreak of #MouseFever among Russian military units in the #Kupyansk direction of the front. The symptoms are severe and include intense #headaches, #HighFever up to 40 degrees Celsius, #rashes and redness, low blood pressure, #hemorrhages in the eyes, nausea, and vomiting.

Panic among Russian ranks as 'Mouse Fever' ravages troops
https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/other/panic-among-russian-ranks-as-mouse-fever-ravages-troops/

They are the wives and mothers of some of the 300,000 Russian men who were conscripted in September 2022, at a critical period when #Russia needed to shore up its troop numbers after #Ukraine recaptured swathes of territory.

Tackling the movement is a delicate matter for the #Kremlin because many of them come from #Putin’s core base of support.

'We’re tired of being good girls’: Russia’s military wives and mothers protest against Putin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/25/russia-military-wives-mothers-protest-against-putin-war-ukraine-troops-female

‘We’re tired of being good girls’: Russia’s military wives and mothers protest against Putin

Female-led movements are challenging the official narrative that mobilised troops are required for war against Ukraine

The Guardian