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📰 Ukraine slams Slovakia

📰 Ukraine slams Slovakia

and Trump’s controversial Greenland plan

Ross Crabtree
December 25, 2024

Good evening,

Today’s developments include accusations from Ukraine against Slovakia’s leader over Russian gas, Starmer hinting at British troop deployment in Ukraine, and renewed tensions over Trump’s proposal to purchase Greenland.

Elsewhere, Israel targets Houthi leadership, a Russian ship sinks under mysterious circumstances, and Syria faces protests amid promises of unity.

Full details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇺🇦 Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin by supporting Russian gas imports, following Fico’s visit to Moscow. Zelensky criticized Fico for opposing efforts to reduce Slovakia’s energy dependence on Russia and rejecting compensation offers for alternative transit routes. Fico, one of Putin’s few allies in Europe, stated after the meeting that Russia is ready to continue gas supplies, which Ukraine has vowed to halt after January 1, 2025.

2️⃣🇬🇧 UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted at deploying British troops to western Ukraine to train Ukrainian soldiers as part of efforts to refine Operation Interflex, which has trained 51,000 Ukrainian troops in Britain. Starmer and President Zelensky discussed moving training closer to Ukraine to address recruitment struggles and logistical challenges, but concerns remain over the safety of British personnel. This comes as Russia ramps up territorial gains ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, with Ukraine emphasizing the need to “degrade Russian forces” in the critical months ahead.

3️⃣🇬🇱 Greenland: Prime Minister Múte Egede rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed proposal to purchase Greenland, stating, “We are not for sale and will never be for sale.” Trump, who previously floated the idea in 2019, has revived the suggestion, claiming U.S. ownership of Greenland is a necessity for “National Security and Freedom.” Egede’s remarks follow Trump’s broader threats to reclaim the Panama Canal and annex Canada, drawing international backlash.

4️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to target leaders of Yemen’s Houthi rebels following repeated missile and drone launches on Israel. Katz, visiting an air defense operations center, stated Israel would act against Houthi leadership and infrastructure to remove the threat, comparing the planned operations to actions against leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. Katz also warned Iran, accusing it of sponsoring Houthi attacks, saying, “Whoever sponsors the Houthi terror… will pay the full price.”

5️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria following an engine room explosion, leaving two crew members missing while 14 were rescued and taken to Spain. Ukraine claims the ship, owned by a Russian defense-linked company under sanctions, was en route to Syria to retrieve military equipment following the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Ship tracking data shows the vessel departed St. Petersburg on December 11, initially indicating Vladivostok as its destination. The Kremlin has not commented on Ukraine’s allegations.

Major Story

China condemns US military support for Taiwan, warning of repercussions

China has criticized the United States’ recent decision to provide Taiwan with military aid and arms sales, stating it undermines peace in the Taiwan Strait. President Joe Biden approved $571 million in defense aid, including military materials, services, and training, while an additional $295 million was allocated for military equipment, such as tactical radio systems and gun mounts.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the actions “dangerous moves” that violate agreements between China and the US, including the “One China” principle. China claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes any foreign support for the island’s independence efforts. The ministry has urged the US to halt military support and warned of “necessary measures” to defend China’s sovereignty.

Taiwan’s government welcomed the aid, asserting it reflects US commitment to Taiwan’s defense. However, tensions remain high, with China conducting military drills and accusing the US of exploiting Taiwan for strategic and economic gains. The Biden administration’s aid is part of broader measures to bolster Taiwan’s defenses amid escalating regional tensions.

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Other News

1️⃣🇺🇸 United States: American Airlines has resumed flights after a nationwide ground stop caused by a “vendor technology issue” disrupted operations during peak holiday travel. The Federal Aviation Administration lifted the stop after the airline resolved the issue, which briefly grounded 3,300 scheduled flights. Residual delays are expected, but American Airlines reports minimal cancellations and assures customers of a swift recovery.

2️⃣🇸🇾 Syria: The new Syrian authorities announced that all rebel groups have agreed to disband and integrate into the regular armed forces under the Ministry of Defence, following a meeting with new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. This comes weeks after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led offensive. Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remain outside the agreement but expressed willingness to discuss integration. Sharaa has pledged that no weapons will remain outside state control and assured minorities of their safety. The situation remains complex, with ongoing clashes between SDF and Turkey-backed forces and uncertainty about how Turkey and the U.S. will shape developments.

3️⃣🇸🇾 Syria: Protests erupted in Damascus after a video showed hooded fighters torching a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah near Hama. Demonstrators chanted for “the rights of Christians” amid concerns for religious minorities following the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) takeover of the country. An HTS leader condemned the act, claimed the perpetrators were foreign members of Ansar al-Tawhid, and vowed to restore the tree and punish those responsible.