European Council President Affirms EU Already Has ‘Association Agreement with Ukraine’ to Hungary’s Disapproval
In a recent interview with Reuters, European Council President Charles Michel claimed that the EU already has an “association agreement” with Ukraine, as the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for a “strategic partnership” to be established before talks on Kyiv’s future membership can commence.
The upcoming key summit of EU leaders set for mid-December will require unanimous approval from all 27 members to commence accession talks once Ukraine meets specific criteria. Despite maintaining close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Orban stated that he would not endorse the current proposal and suggested a partnership agreement lasting between five and 10 years to achieve closer cooperation with Ukraine in order to understand the implications of potential EU membership.
According to Reuters, Michel highlighted that the existing agreement “offers a lot of possibilities for close cooperation with Ukraine.”
Russian Ruble Declines to Lowest Value in Two Weeks Against US Dollar
The Russian ruble dropped to its lowest point against the U.S. dollar in two weeks on Friday, following a previous surge attributed to Moscow’s capital controls, increased interest rates, and rising oil prices. The ruble briefly fell below 90 to the dollar and was on track for its first weekly decline in eight weeks.
Russian Foreign Minister Accuses U.S. Secretary of State of ‘Simple Cowardice’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, describing his departure from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Skopje, North Macedonia, as an act of “simple cowardice.” Lavrov’s attendance at the security community meeting was met with controversy due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and led to Kyiv and the three Baltic nations to boycott the event. Lavrov stated at a news conference in Skopje that Russia saw no sign of Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate a political resolution to the conflict and maintained that Moscow will not alter its “special military operation” in Ukraine according to Reuters.
Kremlin Anticipates Western Sanctions to “Last for Many Years”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized Russia’s certainty that Western sanctions will persist for the long-term, forming the basis for its extended economic strategy. The comments surfaced following the U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources, Geoffrey Pyatt’s remark that the U.S. aimed to reduce Russian oil and gas revenues by 2030–as reported by Reuters.
Estonian Prime Minister Asserts Strength of Pro-Ukraine Coalition and Russian ‘War Fatigue’
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas dismissed the notion of waning Western support amid a surge in popularity for right-wing populist figures across Europe. She stressed the parallel occurrence of war fatigue within Russia and the vast disparity in defense budgets between the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and Russia. Kallas reiterated the need for steadfastness and unwavering adherence to established guidelines.
Hungary’s Orban Advocates for EU-Ukraine ‘Strategic Partnership Agreement’
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voiced the belief that the European Union should first establish a “strategic partnership agreement” with Ukraine before embarking on membership discussions. The 27 heads of EU member states are scheduled to convene for a crucial summit being held this month to decide on the commencement of membership talks with Kyiv. However, Hungary has expressed intentions to reject the proposal, with Orban proposing a strategic partnership lasting 5-10 years. “This could last for up to 5-10 years, let’s bring them closer, as the gap is too wide now. Let’s give time for us to work together and when we see that we can work together, then let’s bring up the issue of membership,” Orban stated as reported by Reuters.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Quick Reinforcement of Frontline Areas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the swift enhancement of fortifications in key battlefronts facing threats from Russian forces. Highlighting the urgency, Zelenskyy underscored the need for reinforced defenses in different parts of Ukraine, particularly eastern Ukraine and the Kharkiv and Kherson areas.
Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Drones; Russia Destroys Ukrainian Navy Vessel
The Ukrainian military reported the downing of 18 of 25 attack drones launched from Russia towards eastern and southern Ukraine, along with one of two guided cruise missiles. On the other hand, Russia reported the destruction of a Ukrainian navy vessel without crew heading towards Crimea. However, CNBC cannot independently verify the claims from either side.
Scholz Expresses Ongoing Solidarity with Ukraine to Zelenskyy
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with Ukraine during a recent call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Scholz asserted Germany’s continued support along with other European and international partners and emphasized that Ukraine’s future lies within the European Union.
Russian Supreme Court Bans LGBT Movement as ‘Extremist’
Russia’s Supreme Court delivered a ruling designating LGBT activists as extremists, a decision that has sparked fears of subsequent arrests and prosecutions. The move follows a pattern of escalating restrictions in Russia, including laws prohibiting promotion of “non-traditional” sexual relations and gender identity changes. This reflects President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to present Russia as protector of traditional moral values in contrast to the West.
