11:40 p.m
End of our lives
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4:55 p.m
Emmanuel Macron expects Viktor Orban to “act like a European”
“I expect Viktor Orban in the coming months to behave like a European, respecting and taking into account his legitimate interests, and not to hold our political progress hostage,” the French president said after the European summit, which Budapest vetoed the granting of financial aid worth 50 billion euros to Ukraine.
4:55 p.m
The EU promises to overcome the Hungarian veto in favor of Ukraine
European leaders pledged on Friday to support Ukraine regardless of whether Hungary under Viktor Orban confirms its veto of 50 billion euros in aid at a new summit in early 2024. “Until then, we will use the time to ensure that whatever happens, we have an operational solution at this summit,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
3:21 p.m
Georgia: Tens of thousands gather to celebrate EU candidate status
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets of Georgia's capital Tbilisi on Friday to celebrate receiving candidate status for the European Union, an alliance that this small Caucasian country sees as protection from its Russian neighbor. An AFP journalist noted that protesters had gathered in a square in the city center under Georgian and European flags. The day before, European leaders decided to grant this status to Georgia, which has demanded it since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022?
2:34 p.m
Ukraine calls for EU aid to be released in January 2024
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called this Friday to lift the blocking of 50 billion euros in EU aid to Ukraine from January due to the veto of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. “We expect that all necessary legal procedures will be completed by January 2024, which would allow us to obtain the funds in question as quickly as possible,” the ministry said in a statement.
2:23 p.m
France considers the lack of news from Russian opponent Alexei Navalny “very worrying”.
The lack of news about Russian political opponent Alexei Navalny, who was taken from his prison to an unknown location, is “very worrying,” said the deputy spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry this Friday. “France considers Russia to be responsible for the health of its detainees, especially political prisoners, and recalls its international obligations regarding respect for human rights,” Christophe Lemoine stressed in a press release, adding that Alexei Navalny’s health “since then “significantly worsened” his imprisonment” in January 2021.E
2:02 p.m
A new drone crater was discovered on the Romanian side
Romania, a NATO member, discovered a crater on its soil on Thursday caused by the explosion of a drone that targeted Danube port infrastructure in neighboring Ukraine, amid increasing Russian attacks. In light of this “new violation of Romanian airspace,” “the head of the Russian diplomatic mission has been summoned,” the Foreign Ministry said in a press release, condemning “repeated attacks” by Russia, including on the Romanian-Ukrainian border. NATO allies have been informed and consultations are underway.R
12:07 p.m
According to his supporters, Russian opponent Alexei Navalny has been taken from his prison to an “unknown” location
Russian opponent Alexei Navalny has been moved from his prison to an undisclosed location, his supporters said this Friday, which could mean his transfer to a prison with even harsher conditions. According to Kira Iarmich, the anti-corruption activist's exiled spokeswoman, a court told the opponent's lawyer that Alexei Navalny had left “the Vladimir region” where he was imprisoned. “We don’t know exactly to what destination,” she wrote on X (ex-Twitter). His relatives have not heard from the enemy since December 6th.
12:03 p.m
Blocking aid to Ukraine: Kremlin welcomes Hungary “defending” its interests.
The Kremlin said on Friday that Hungary was “defending” its interests “unlike many European countries” after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked new European Union aid to Ukraine. “Hungary is a sovereign country, it has its interests. And unlike many European countries, it resolutely defends its interests, which we appreciate,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Russia has been waging an offensive against Ukraine for almost two years and Viktor Orban is the only EU leader to have close ties with the Kremlin.P
11:24 am
The Kremlin believes that the accession of Ukraine and Moldova would destabilize the EU
The Kremlin estimated this Friday that the accession of Ukraine and Moldova would “destabilize” the European Union as these countries “do not meet the criteria” the day after the opening of accession negotiations. The spokesman for the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov, also said that the EU's green light for Kiev and Chisinau, which also granted candidate status to Georgia, was aimed at “damaging Russia.”
09:49.
A fake Putin questions the Russian president live about his doppelgängers
09:17.
Viktor Orban makes aid to Ukraine dependent on the release of all funds to Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Friday called for “all European funds,” billions of euros of which remain blocked, before he may consider lifting his veto on new aid to Ukraine. “I have always said that if we were to proceed with a change in the EU budget (…), Hungary would take the opportunity to clearly demand what it deserves. Not half, not a quarter, but the whole,” the nationalist leader said in an interview on state radio.
08:02.
Help for Ukraine: Viktor Orban's veto
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who strongly opposed Ukraine's future accession to Europe, ultimately abstained from the vote on the start of Ukraine's accession negotiations to Europe. However, he said no to the disbursement of European aid worth 50 billion euros. But unanimity is mandatory. “Summary of the evening: veto of additional funds for Ukraine” in relation to the proposed revision of the European budget, stated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on X (ex-Twitter).
Night shift summary:
? Veto against the additional money for Ukraine,
? Veto the MFF review.
We will return to the topic next year #EUCO after appropriate preparation.— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 15, 2023
07:43.
EU postpones new aid plan for Ukraine
07:27.
Finland closes its border with Russia again
The border between Finland and Russia was reopened for just a few hours on Thursday. Helsinki had reopened two border crossings but decided to close them a few hours later, accusing Russia of orchestrating a migration crisis. “The phenomenon has started again and we will close the entire border,” Finnish Prime Minister Mari Rantanen warned on Thursday.
07:12.
Hundreds of people demonstrate in front of Kiev City Hall
Several hundred people demonstrated in front of Kiev City Hall on Thursday to demand that the municipality use its budget for the war against Russia rather than for local projects. The citizens' group “Money for the AFU” considers the Kiev City Hall's expenses to be “unnecessary” and “poorly planned”.
07:06.
Ukraine will receive the new Patriot anti-aircraft system
Germany has delivered a new Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. A military tool used by the Ukrainian army to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense welcomes “urgently needed military assistance” on X (formerly Twitter).
07:01.
The European Union decides on new sanctions against Russia
The European Union has agreed to a new package of sanctions against Russia, which notably includes a ban on the import of Russian diamonds into the EU, the Twenty-Seven said in a statement. European leaders at a summit in Brussels welcomed the adoption of this new package, the 12th since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The EU will also take measures to improve the effectiveness of sanctions against Russian oil .
06:55.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Emmanuel Macron
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron spoke after the EU announcement. The Ukrainian president thanked the French president for “his support.” “Congratulations,” wrote Emmanuel Macron on X (formerly Twitter).
06:52.
EU says yes to negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova
06:47.
Ukraine, but also Moldova
The European Union has given the green light to start accession negotiations to Europe with Ukraine, but also Moldova, a country between Romania and Ukraine. “It is a victory for all of us (…), a new page in our history. Two years ago no one could have imagined such a scenario,” Moldova’s President Maia Sandu reacted on Facebook. Moldova has been an independent country since 1991.
06:43.
“Victory for Ukraine,” says Volodymyr Zelensky
As soon as the European decision was announced, President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted. “Victory for Ukraine. Victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens,” said the Ukrainian president. He added: “History is written by those who never tire of fighting for freedom.” Volodymyr Zelensky previously addressed the European Council.
06:42.
Europe opens accession negotiations with Ukraine
The European Union will soon be in a position to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. It was the President of the European Council Charles Michel who announced this at the end of the day. A unanimous decision from the 27 countries was required. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban ultimately decided to abstain, but this did not block the process. Viktor Orban is the only EU leader to have close ties with Russia. Despite his abstention, Viktor Orban said on Facebook that Ukraine's future integration into Europe was “a bad decision” and a “pointless” decision.
06:40.
Welcome to our life
Follow all the news from the war in Ukraine live this Friday, December 15, 2023 on ladpeche.fr.
07:20.