Ukraine is preparing for a complete ceasefire in the Donbas, starting on January 1, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk in a press conference, as cited by Interfax-Ukraine.

“We are preparing for a full ceasefire from January 1. That is, we are currently preparing for it, and will be working on it,” he said.

The minister also said that Ukraine and the militants have identified new sections for the disengagement of armed forces and heavy weaponry.

“Yes, we have identified our …

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, who oversees the fuel and energy sectors, said in an interview with Russia-24 TV channel, that the Russian government considers that almost $3 billion, which the Russian gas giant Gazprom agreed to pay to Ukrainian company Naftogaz accorfing to the ruling of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, is "a drop in the ocean."

"Neither Ukraine nor we can assume how much anyone has benefited [from the new transit agreement]. The $2.9 billion that we will pay …

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that Moscow hopes that with the support of its European partners, it will be able to settle the situation around the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. Earlier, the construction of the gas pipeline was suspended due to US sanctions against contractors. "We are confident that in cooperation with European countries and the European Union, we will solve this problem and find a compromise," said Kozak on December 25, as quoted by …

During a press conference with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed dissatisfaction with the presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner private military company in the territory of Libya, reports Anadolu news agency. Erdoğan also said that the Turkish army might be sent to Libya.

It is noted that the leaders of the countries discussed the situation in Libya, where a civil war has been going on for years, and several parallel governments are …

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky approved changes to the bill "on the electricity market," which prohibits the import of electricity from the Russian Federation to Ukraine, reports the press service of the Ukrainian President.

The new law establishes a ban on the sale and supply of electricity imported from the Russian Federation based on bilateral agreements, as well as on the commercial  market.

However, the government has the right to cancel the ban to avoid an emergency in the …

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio that Ukraine provoked the beginning of the conflict in the Donbas.

"Ukraine framed itself to some extent. Ukraine started to strangle its Russian population through language issues and other things. They started to speak about issues that shouldn't have been raised in Ukraine! Anyway, I'm not justifying Russia now. I do not blame Ukraine. But anyway, Ukraine, provoked this clash, even though giving …

The Russian Armed Forces conducted military drills in the Black Sea, in which they simulated an attack on the American Ross destroyer, which was going to the port of Odessa, reports the Ukrainian Air Command, citing intelligence data.

It is noted that during the military exercise, a pair of Su-24M front-line bombers, which were supported by  of fighter aircraft, “conducted" a missile attack on a surface target, the USS Ross missile destroyer.

"On December 23, a pair of Su-24M front-line …

At least eight people, including five children, were killed after Russian airstrikes in northwestern Syria on Tuesday. United Nations informs that children are most affected by the violence taking place in the country.

Strikes were carried out in the village of Jubas near the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attacks killed civilians who were sheltering in the school and near it.

"Children suffer the most because of the escalation of …