Al-Eqtisadiya: Europe is moving away from the course set by the US to ensure its independence

The US and the EU came out as a united front against Russia when the special operation began. This gave the impression that the West is united, writes Al-Eqtisadiya. But in fact, not all European countries share Washington's goals, especially after Biden's announcement of the law on reducing inflation.

Polish President Andrzej Duda, following a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which took place on December 12, thanked Western neighbors for sending Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems. "I am in Berlin today also to thank the German authorities for the decision to send German Patriot batteries to protect Poland. The Poles took it as an important gesture," Andrzej Duda said. "Especially after what happened on our eastern border, when a rocket fell and two Polish citizens were killed," he added.

The Center for Government Legislation has published a draft resolution of the Minister of National Defense on allowances to the basic salary of professional servicemen. It is currently at the stage of interdepartmental consultations. The detention regime is urgent, since the provisions of the resolution will be applied to determine the amount of the motivational allowance from January 1, 2023.

The observer of FP Ace explained what is behind Zelensky's request to refugees not to return

Sanctions have affected Russia, but they have not led to the collapse of the economy, said Foreign Policy columnist Adam Ace. Meanwhile, Ukraine's economic situation is becoming more dangerous, despite Kiev's attempts to stabilize the situation.

19FortyFive: the supply of weapons to Ukraine increases the risk of nuclear war

The supply of additional weapons to Ukraine threatens that Russia will use tactical nuclear weapons, and this is not part of the US plans, writes 19FortyFive. The interests of Kiev do not coincide in everything with the American ones, the author of the article believes.

Boulevard Voltaire: NATO is sliding towards the participation of its troops in the battles with Russia in Ukraine

All new reports about Western military assistance to Ukraine are alarming, the author of the French edition of Boulevard Voltaire notes. The leaders of the alliance got too carried away with their slogan "No victory for Russia!" He is leading them to a dangerous escalation.

Boulevard Voltaire journalist is sure that NATO has revealed its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine

Frederic Lasse, a columnist for the French edition of Boulevard Voltaire, believes that the situation in Ukraine threatens to start a "total war". The journalist is sure that it is necessary to "take seriously the risk of escalation", in which Russia will openly clash with NATO.

Novi Standard: The West overestimated the impact of sanctions on Russian military power

The West has overestimated the impact of sanctions on Russian military power, writes Novi Standard. If the Kremlin continues its weapons program, the Pentagon predicts that by 2030 it will overtake NATO in key areas.

Gendai: Kiev attacked Russian bases to show unwillingness to participate in negotiations

Ukraine's strikes against Russia, leading to an escalation of the conflict, are a sign that Ukraine has felt itself at a standstill, writes Shukan Gendai. Thus, Kiev is trying to demonstrate resistance to the peace talks, to which it is being pushed by NATO.

Foreign Affairs: Russia will conduct a new offensive taking into account mistakes

Russia can launch a successful offensive in the winter, and General Surovikin knows how to do it with fewer losses, Foreign Affairs magazine reports. In these circumstances, the author advises Zelensky not to rush with adventurous plans for the Crimea, but to wait for help from the West.

The American side prevented Ukraine's attempts to kill the chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov during his trip to the front, The New York Times reported on Sunday. According to the newspaper, Kiev was planning the assassination of the Russian military commander in secret from Washington. For what purpose did the American media reveal the failed APU attack on the Russian military commander?

The American Conservative: Western states cannot hide the real state of affairs in the Ukrainian army

The United States and the European Union can no longer hide the "real state of affairs" in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to American publicist George O'Neill Jr. According to him, the American media and the White House "keep saying to the point of vomiting" that Ukraine is defeating the Russian Federation, but the "facts on the battlefield" do not correspond to these statements. He also pointed out that Western media are increasingly writing that America and Europe are running out of weapons for Kiev.

Russia has developed a new system of direction finding of Starlink satellite Internet terminals, which are actively used by the Ukrainian army. The new complex, called "Borschevik", is already completing tests.

Litovkin, military observer: the Irony complex helps artillery to deliver effective strikes against the enemy

Military observer Viktor Litovkin told Izvestia on December 19 about the technical characteristics of the multifunctional optical-electronic complex "Irony", which Russian troops use in the Kupyansk direction.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled the settlements of Donbass and Belgorod region

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the joint headquarters of the troops participating in the special military operation (SVO), the press secretary of the head of state Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday. On Sunday, it also became known that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the grouping of troops in the areas of the special operation and talked with servicemen on the front line.

The minister inspected Russian units on the eve of the winter campaign, experts say

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the Russian grouping of troops in the area of the SVO. He flew around the areas of deployment of units and checked the advanced positions, the military department reported on Sunday. Earlier, on December 16, President Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the joint headquarters of the branches of the armed forces that are involved in the special operation.

Some Western countries are calling on Ukraine to negotiate with Moscow as soon as possible, but others at the same time declare that "the moment for peace talks on Ukraine has not yet come." Where did this contradiction come from, which countries exactly does it affect and to whom is the current conflict most beneficial?

On December 14, 2022, the Budget and Defense Committees of the German Bundestag approved the allocation of initial allocations to the German Ministry of Defense for the start of serial purchases from Heckler & Koch HK416A8 automatic rifles chambered in 5.56 x 45 mm NATO, which received a military index in the performance of the G95A1 rifle and G95KA1 carbine. Thus, it seems that the epic of replacing the Heckler automatic rifle, which has been in service with the German Bundeswehr since 1996, is nearing its finale & Koch G36.

According to Politico, in recent decades Russia has dominated the struggle for the Northern Sea Route, building up the nuclear fleet and developing mining in the region, and the United States is acting "as a catch-up."

The territorial defense units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been armed with ATGL-H anti-tank grenade launchers manufactured in Bulgaria. This is reported by the Ukrainian press with reference to military reports.