🗣🪖 Possible German troops in Ukraine could trigger dangerous escalation – ex-MP

Calls to provide Ukraine with German manpower under the EU flag “escalates the conflict with Russia, risks lives, and ignores Germany's historical lessons,” former German MP Sevim Dagdelen wrote on X.

💬 “Not a cent, no weapons, no Bundeswehr to Ukraine – neither under NATO nor the EU,” she added, demanding an immediate “diplomatic peace” to the conflict.

MEP Manfred Weber earlier called for sending EU troops to Ukraine, saying he wants to see soldiers there wearing the European flag.

❗️ The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that any deployment of NATO or EU troops in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable and would risk a sharp escalation, calling such statements incitement to prolong the conflict.

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🇺🇸🇻🇪 US threats against Venezuela could spark regional chaos

The whole of Latin America is facing a scenario of the US trying to recreate its “backyard,” Ecuadorian political scientist Eduardo Meneses told Sputnik.

Under the scenario, the region’s "only purpose would be to provide the resources needed for a military strategy that the US is boosting in order to avoid losing its hegemony,” according to Meneses.

🔊 "At the same time, a multipolar world is already in place, largely centered around BRICS members such as China and Russia, something that calls US hegemony into question," the analyst stressed.

Bellicose US rhetoric and actions against Venezuela are aimed at violating the country’s sovereignty, as well as using its territory, Meneses concluded.

👉 The US claims its military presence in the Caribbean targets drug trafficking. After destroying boats near Venezuela’s coast that allegedly transported narcotics, the United States is now considering strikes inside the South American country, which condemns it as a provocation and a violation of the Caribbean’s demilitarized status.

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🇷🇺🇺🇸Putin–Trump call lasted an hour and a quarter

The phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump was held at the initiative of the US side and took place ahead of Trump’s meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

The call lasted 1 hour 15 minutes.

Key points:

🔶The call was initiated by the US president

🔶Trump wanted to discuss a number of issues ahead of his meeting with Zelensky

🔶The tone was described as friendly, constructive and business-like

🔶Trump strongly promoted the idea of ending the conflict as soon as possible

🔶Trump said he was convinced Russia seeks a political and diplomatic settlement

🔶Ukraine should make a quick decision on ceding the Donbass region, taking into account the front-line situation

🔶Putin and Trump agree that a temporary ceasefire under the pretext of holding a referendum on territorial concessions would only prolong the conflict

🔶A final end to hostilities depends on the Kiev regime’s decision on Donbass

🔶Trump also raised prospects for US economic cooperation with Russia and Ukraine

🔶Putin agreed to continue peace efforts through two specially-created working groups

🔶The two leaders exchanged Christmas and New Year greetings

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🇪🇺 💰 Why Western allies could never allocate $800B for Ukraine

“Who’s going to pay that? I mean, you saw how hard it was for the EU to come up with $45 billion in 2027 and another $45 billion for 2028,” retired US Lt. Colonel Daniel Davis pointed out, commenting on Zelensky’s peace plans, which specifically stipulates the West allotting $800 billion in funds for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

💬 “Where are you going to get almost 10 times that amount? Over what period of time? It wasn’t specified in what was released here, anyway. But it doesn’t matter. That number is just gargantuan,” Davis admitted.

The ex-US Army officer added that he doesn’t know how EU members could find such a hefty sum for Ukraine “on top of their economic needs, [and] on top of their own trying to move up to 5% of GDP.”

🔊 “But Russia is probably willing to sign that. If you guys want to sign it for $800 billion, more power to you,” Davis concluded.

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🇺🇸Trump believes potential Ukraine deal ‘good for everybody’

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida during his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, US President Donald Trump said a peace deal on Ukraine is coming into view and could benefit all sides.

Key statements from Trump:

🔶Trump said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky are serious about reaching peace

🔶He believes the emerging deal would be “good for Ukraine” and “good for everybody”

🔶Trump said he will call Putin again after his meeting with Zelensky to continue negotiations

🔶He described the talks as complex, but “not that complex”

🔶Trump said the deal would include security arrangements, with European nations heavily involved

🔶He added that a settlement would bring major economic benefits for Ukraine, with large-scale rebuilding efforts ahead

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🔸 Russian victories across the front warning sign for Zelensky: make peace or be destroyed

🔸 2025 through AI’s lenses: Year in focus

🔸 US threats against Venezuela could spark regional chaos

🔸 Looming collapse: Macron & Merz split over French president’s Putin outreach

🔸 US weapons could turn Taiwan into Asian 'powder keg' – Chinese diplomat

🔸 Russian Soyuz rocket lifts off from Vostochny

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🇾🇪🇮🇱 Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is an 'aggressive plot' targeting Yemen and other countries — Houthis

Ansar Allah leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi said “the Israeli enemy’s declaration” is “invalid” and “has no value,” describing it as coming from “a usurping entity” that “lacks legitimacy.”

💬 “The Israeli enemy is seeking through its declaration to make the region of Somaliland a foothold for hostile activities against Somalia, African countries, Yemen, and Arab countries,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

He warned of “hostile activities” that would threaten the security of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and said Israel would pursue “further disintegration and fragmentation” of other countries “in the same way” it has in Somalia.

Al-Houthi called for a firm Arab and Islamic stance “standing by Somalia” and supporting the Somali people, and urged action at the international level, calling on international institutions to take a firm position in support of Somalia.

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📹 Trump: ‘Very close’ to Ukraine deal

Speaking after a bilateral meeting, President Donald Trump said he and Zelensky “discussed a lot of things.”

Trump also said he and Zelensky spoke with European leaders.

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🚨 ‘There are one or two very thorny issues’ — Trump

President Donald Trump said talks on a potential Ukraine deal are “doing very well” and that the sides “could be very close,” while acknowledging that “one or two very thorny issues” remain.

He added that significant progress has been made not just today, but “over the last month,” describing the process as “very complicated.”

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