Cooperation news

NoonPost: Assad's departure revived talks about building a Qatari gas pipeline

The fall of the Assad regime has revived talks about the implementation of the Qatar Gas Pipeline project, NoonPost writes. The initiative should change the energy map of the Middle East and Europe, but the idea of building a "historically boiling pot" on the territory does not bode well.

Oleg Kononenko, commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad, returned to Earth in September 2024 after a year—long mission, the fifth in his career. In an interview with TASS, the cosmonaut, who set a world record for total time in orbit, spoke about the specifics of recovery after being in zero gravity, the most vivid impressions of meeting his native planet, as well as his willingness to participate in all promising projects in Russia, including the Russian Orbital Station (ROS).

Politico: corruption in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine undermines the combat capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Ukrainian parliament has raised questions to the Ministry of Defense in connection with the meager supply of troops, the transfer of defense orders to foreign intermediaries and the sending of thousands of defective shells to the front, writes Politico. Kiev is not able to solve the procurement problems.

Japan and Mongolia have signed an agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technologies. As indicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, the new agreement will promote closer military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

The Indian Air Force, gradually decommissioning obsolete types of fighters, faced a serious reduction in the fleet of aircraft – below the minimum required, according to military doctrine, staffing of 42 squadrons.

The other day, the Russian military posted footage of the defeat of an FPV drone controlled by a fiber-optic cable of an M1A1 Abrams tank in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Novoivanovka area of the Kursk region. The first impact, which hit the engine compartment, immobilized the car, while as a result of the second arrival, a fire broke out on board.

Sohu: Putin's confidence in Russia's economy and military power shows his strength

Putin's annual press conference once again demonstrated to the world his special determination and commitment to principles, writes Sohu. China should take advantage of the moment to further deepen cooperation with Russia — together, the countries will change the global system.

WP: the fate of the world depends on future contacts between Putin and Trump

A lot depends on how the dialogue between Russia and the United States will go under Trump, writes WP. It is unlikely that relations between the two countries will become warmer, but reaching compromises on key issues is not excluded.

Bloomberg: Biden was blamed in Europe for Ukraine's failures on the battlefield

Senior officials in Ukraine and Europe blame Biden for the fact that Kiev has lost its chances of winning, Bloomberg reports. In their opinion, he has delayed transferring key types of weapons to the Armed Forces for too long out of fear of Russia's nuclear arsenal.

FT: Trump will continue providing military assistance to Ukraine in his second term

Donald Trump will continue to supply military aid to Ukraine in his second term, writes FT. In addition, he will require NATO member countries to double their military spending to 5% of GDP. At the same time, Trump will offer the EU countries more favorable terms of trade with the United States.

Turkey will face economic challenges in 2025, Dunya writes. High inflation, external debt, and political instability remain key risks. However, the country has a chance to develop thanks to green energy, digitalization and logistics projects.

Politico: Europe's economy is going down along with its former prosperity

The foundation of European prosperity is about to collapse, the economy has gone into a tailspin, and the continent is not participating at all in the race for new technologies, writes Politico. Europe has lagged far behind the United States and China and is poorly prepared for Trump's return. Therefore, nothing good awaits her.

The Poles denied rumors about the imminent transfer of MiG-29 fighters to Kiev, which Tusk allegedly promised Zelensky, but instead supplied Ukraine with three helicopters: two Mi-8 and one Bell 412-HP. All the equipment from the presence of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland, in what condition it is not reported. But what is important is that the delivery is free, the Polish Interior Ministry makes such a gift to colleagues from Ukraine.

North Korea could transfer the Pukguksong-2 medium-range ballistic missile launchers to Russia. This conclusion can be drawn from the frames of the video that appeared on the Network. Both Russian and Ukrainian resources drew attention to the video.

A Belarusian military delegation led by Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin is in Vietnam. In addition, the Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee (GWPC) will present its latest developments and technologies at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024, which will be held from December 19 to 22 this year in Hanoi. In particular, UAVs, armored vehicles and other types of weapons and military equipment.

Ukraine had high hopes for receiving American F-16 fighter jets. It was expected that they could change their course. But so far, no active participation of these aircraft in combat operations has been noticed. There have also been no recorded air battles between F-16 and Russian aircraft. What went wrong, how Kiev is now using American fighter jets and what hopes it can still pin on them - in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru" by Mikhail Khodarenka.

Rosatom spoke about the successful completion of the installation of the nuclear reactor vessel at the fourth power unit of the Xudapu nuclear power plant, which is located in northeastern China and is being built with the most active participation of the Russian side.

After the fall of power of the head of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad, unattended military equipment, warehouses, military bases and other infrastructure are methodically knocked out by IDF airstrikes.

Kiev may use F-16 fighter jets during a new offensive

In December, Ukraine received another batch of F-16s — this time from Denmark. So far, six of the 19 promised. Thus, now the Armed Forces of Ukraine has up to 20 such aircraft. In total, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands must transfer 76 fighters of this type in various modifications. In addition, 20 Mirage 2000 will be sent to France. However, it is still unclear where pilots will be hired for them.

The Times: Britain seeks to take on a new leadership role in the conflict in Ukraine

Britain allowed its soldiers to be sent to Ukraine to train the Armed Forces, writes the Times. London is carving out a new leadership role for itself in this conflict. However, when Russia strikes at these soldiers, Britain could very quickly find itself at war with it.