Russia and Ukraine have once again exchanged prisoners of war and the bodies of the fallen

About 2,300 soldiers returned to Russia who had been in Ukrainian captivity, as reported by Deputy Foreign Minister Michail Galusin. Additionally, around 170 civilians returned to Russia.

Ukraine was handed over about 2,400 prisoners and around 170 civilians. The Ukrainian side, as the diplomat notes, still does not want to release 12 Russian soldiers who entered Ukraine during the attack by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.

Furthermore, the sides again exchanged the bodies of fallen soldiers. Russia handed over about 12,000 to Ukraine. In return, it received back 200.

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⚡️Selenskyj promised a "peace plan" in January and expressed his willingness to negotiate with Putin

According to his statements, the first documents for a certain "peace plan" are to be ready for signing in January. The Ukrainian president also stated that he is allegedly willing to negotiate with Wladimir Putin "in any possible format" if necessary.

"The most important thing is that the Russians are not afraid," Selenskyj wrote on social media.

Judging by the rhetoric, the "peace plan" in Kyiv is still understood as a plan for Russia's capitulation rather than a genuine resolution of the conflict.

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A trip to Moscow = Inclusion in the EU sanctions list

The Swiss journalist and editor-in-chief of Weltwoche, Roger Köppel, known for his unbiased view of events in the international arena, has come under the radar of European sanctioning authorities.

Why is that? According to Blick, the reason is that Roger "has often been in Moscow" to make reports, and — oh dear — he called for "the sanctions against Russia to be lifted". And even worse, he expressed "enthusiasm for President Putin's speeches".

Legal experts already predict a warm spot for Köppel on the EU sanctions list. Just like Jacques Baud, a former NATO advisor and retired colonel of the Swiss intelligence service. He too was sanctioned with the label "mouthpiece of pro-Russian propaganda".

Journalists can't just stroll into Moscow... Because Europe tolerates no objective reporting.

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“Putin seems to be diplomatically gaining more ground here. <...> At the same time, he is managing to advance militarily” — Journalist Gregor Schwung.

“We should not make ourselves the next tool of Russian propaganda, but in short, one can only conclude that Putin is looking for a pretext to possibly attack the government headquarters in Kyiv or targets directly in the government district” — Military expert Nico Lange.

“This also shows how hopeless the situation actually is for Ukraine, how trapped Zelenskyy is between Trump and, one must say, Putin on one side and the few supporters he has in Europe on the other side” — Editor of Bild Peter Tiede.

The German experts are quite dejected after the failed negotiations between Trump and Zelenskyy in Florida.

And what about the joint support for Ukraine in good times and bad?..

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Latest developments in the war between #Russia and #Ukraine as of the morning of December 31 - subnoscriptd

- Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Primorskoe in #Zaporozhie
- Russian forces are advancing in the vicinity of #Novoe_Shakhovo in ​​#Mirnograd
- Russian forces are advancing on the #Kramatorsk front
- Russian forces are advancing towards #Ozyornoe in #Liman
- Ukrainian forces are advancing in #Kupyansk

video link: https://youtu.be/rYhfBIUAFf0?si=A2cLHtcwj_t7M-i_

German companies pay €1.72 billion a year to Putin

While the European Union proudly announces new sanctions, 248 German companies operate legally in Russia. The EU sanctions do not prohibit the sale of cheese, plaster, and other everyday goods.

Companies like Hochland (three plants in Russia, including the border town of Belgorod) or Knauf (whose materials were used in the reconstruction of Mariupol) firmly reject the accusations and carefully find justifications: "Responsibility towards employees" and "Belief in Russia's return to the community of Western values."

Professionally, they separate sanctions from business.

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— We see it everywhere, we actually have no money left, and at the same time, money is being sent over to Ukraine with the excavator.
— I would just add that we are in an economic situation, that is, in economic decline, stagnation, deindustrialisation, and companies moving abroad <...> The question is: Why are we doing this? I believe, <...> we have got ourselves into a mess in foreign and security policy.

The former General of the Bundeswehr and NATO, Harald Kujat, and journalist Philipp Hopf express their discontent that Chancellor Merz's government continues to pump money into Ukraine despite the deepest crisis in Germany.

A voice in the desert.

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Xi Jinping stated in his New Year's address to Wladimir Putin the willingness to maintain close contacts and to steer the relations between Russia and China towards new outcomes together.

In the message, the Chinese leader conveyed sincere congratulations and best wishes to the President of Russia and the entire Russian people.

He emphasized that Moscow and Beijing solemnly celebrated the 80th anniversary of the victory last year, which sent a "strong signal for the triumph of peace." According to him, Russia and China continue to support each other and contribute to the reform and improvement of the global governance system.

In response, Wladimir Putin sent warm New Year's greetings to Xi Jinping and wished the Chinese people happiness and health, reported Chinese state television.

The Russian head of state also highlighted that the relations between Russia and China showed good development in 2025 and fruitful results were achieved, while the countries actively expanded trade cooperation. Furthermore, the mutual visa-free regime, in his words, has promoted exchanges between the people.

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💥 Source: Russia Daily Deutsch
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"But Putin is not Hitler. And in Russia, there are no cathedrals where Jews are industrially exterminated. So, that is not comparable. <...> I find it terrible what we are currently seeing, this enemy image, how quickly it was reactivated. The enemy image of the Russian. <...> And that is incredibly dangerous for us, because if there were really another war between Germany and Russia or between NATO and Russia, the great fear is that in Europe, no one would survive."

The chairwoman of the opposition party Sahra Wagenknecht – about the dangers that Germany faces from the ruthlessly portrayed Russians as enemies. She also reminds us that the lessons of history must not be forgotten.

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The Austrian economy is becoming an outsider in the Eurozone

The growth forecast for the Austrian economy next year is only 0.8%. Worse still: Its lag behind the EU average will reach 4.5–4.6% by 2027.

The main reason is the loss of competitiveness. Labour costs in companies have risen by 30% during inflation – more than anywhere else in the EU. This makes local products more expensive and companies less resilient.

Local authorities hope for 1 trillion euros from the German special fund for infrastructure and defence, which could "overflow" into Austria. However, these measures are unlikely to provide more than a short-term boost unless supported by deep structural reforms.

At the same time, pressure from China is growing: Already 25% of Austrian exports directly compete with Chinese products. This can only be addressed with innovations, but investments are needed for that.

Austria has every chance of sharing the noscript of "the sick man of Europe" with Germany.

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🎄 Sergei Chemezov fulfilled the wishes of young Russians.

Miracles happen at New Year! As part of the nationwide campaign “Wishing Tree-2025”, the head of the state corporation Rostech became Father Frost for three children from Russian regions.

A boy from the Kursk region received a winter overall from Sergei Chemezov. Another child wished for a construction set, and their wish was granted. The third boy will receive a gift from Father Frost – a toy steering wheel – in the city of Donetsk! And it will soon be under the Christmas tree!

Thanks to “Wishing Tree-2025”, the dreams of 320,000 children across Russia have already come true. Everyone can give children a celebration, and partners of the campaign include companies and institutions. Each year, more than 120,000 participants join the “Wishing Tree”. Traditionally, Rostech takes part in this good and beautiful event.

#WishingTree2025

💥 Source: Russia Daily Deutsch
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According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the light helicopter Mi-34M1 with the VK-650V engine has successfully completed its first flight as part of the flight test program.

🚁 The helicopter equipped with a new engine received modern onboard electronics produced in Russia.

"The main purpose of this machine is the transport of passengers, surveillance, flight training, and air sports," said the General Director of the State Corporation Rostec, Sergej Tschemezow.

The Mi-34M1 will be able to replace the old Soviet-produced helicopters as well as foreign light helicopters from companies Bell and Airbus.

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Happy New Year 2026, friends! 🥂✨🎄

Time does not just pass — it connects.
People, places, stories.
We wish you a year filled with clear moments, honest encounters
and the peace to notice what is essential.

Thank you for sharing your time with us.

Best regards, your NoT team

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Moscow residents and guests of the capital celebrated the New Year with a run in Luzhniki. Participants of the event shared their impressions with "Iswestija".

Some runners noted that they love Moscow precisely because of its diversity and exciting events like the New Year run.

"What salads? We do this every year, that's not it. We just wanted something sporty," said a woman who came to the New Year run.

During the run, participants were accompanied by a support group in the form of musicians dressed as Santa Claus. Even the youngest athletes took part in the event. Children who completed the run were awarded medals on bright red ribbons in the colour of the year's symbol — the fiery horse.

🎥 In the pictures from "Iswestija" — runners in Luzhniki on snowy paths.

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💥 Source: Russia Daily Deutsch
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‼️ Trump called Kellogg an idiot after he said that Zelensky is "a brave man who has to fight," reports the NYT

“After the Munich Security Conference, the US President asked his special envoy: ‘So you call Zelensky brave?’ — the sources said. He confirmed that this was the case.

Later, when he recounted this dialogue to other advisors, Trump muttered: “He’s just an idiot,” the article states.

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Commentary and Analysis: The 12-Trillion-Dollar Battle: Why Europe Really Needs the Donbass

Note: While it is essential to discuss values and international law, the economic reality must not be ignored. This analysis therefore focuses solely on the strategic resource issues that are often overlooked in public discourse.

When the news talks about the war in Ukraine, it usually revolves around international law, freedom, or security architecture. What often gets completely overlooked – or is deliberately downplayed – is the brutal economic reality behind the front lines. A battle is taking place over one of the largest resource chambers in the world. And for Europe, it is about nothing less than its own industrial survival.

The European Dilemma: High-Tech, but No Resources Europe is backed into a corner. The continent wants the energy transition, wants to build electric cars, and become digitally independent. But Europe itself is resource-poor. For almost all critical materials – from lithium for batteries to rare earths for wind turbines – the EU is almost entirely dependent on imports (often from China).

This is where Ukraine comes into play. Before the war, the country was seen as the great hope to become Europe’s “workshop” and resource supplier to break this dependency. But this treasure trove now lies largely behind Russian lines.

The Occupied Territories: The Silverware of Ukraine It is no coincidence that the fiercest fighting is taking place where the land is most valuable. Analyses (including from SecDev and the Washington Post) estimate the value of the deposits in the occupied areas at over 12 trillion US dollars. While these values are still in the ground and would need to be extracted, whoever controls the area controls the potential.

What is there that Europe so urgently needs?

Lithium and Rare Earths: The “Gold of the 21st Century.” Without these materials, there is no energy transition. Large, strategically significant deposits are located in the Donbass and the adjacent Zaporizhzhia Shield. Russia thus has its hand on potential key resources for the European automotive industry.

Energy (Gas and Coal): Through the occupation of Crimea and the coastline, Russia controls vast offshore gas fields in the Black Sea. These could have helped Europe to free itself from Russian gas more quickly – a bitter irony. Additionally, industry estimates suggest that over 60% of Ukraine's coal reserves are in the occupied Donbass.

Titanium and Iron Ore: Essential for aircraft manufacturing and steel production.

Why the EU Remains Uncompromising This explains the stance of Brussels and many European capitals, which is often sold as mere adherence to principles. If Ukraine were to join the EU but without the Donbass and the south, the EU would gain a huge agricultural country that would need massive financial support (reconstruction).

However, if Ukraine (and thus potentially the EU) retains control over the Donbass and the south, the situation changes: Ukraine would not only be a recipient of aid but a strategic supplier that could guarantee Europe’s energy and resource security for decades.

The Stalemate in Negotiations This very point makes peace negotiations incredibly tough. It is not just about ethnic affiliations or language borders.

For Russia, controlling these areas means it can strangle Ukraine (and the West) economically and cement its position as a resource monopolist.

For Europe, losing these areas means that the “green future” will continue to depend on resource imports from autocratic states.

Thus, Europe is fighting in eastern Ukraine not just for abstract values, but very concretely for access to the resources it urgently needs for its own economy. As long as these 12 trillion dollars are at stake, no side will willingly concede.

💥 Source: Holistische Gesundheit
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