Just now, the latest news came from the Russia-Ukraine conflict!
Russia announces retaliatory measures
According to CCTV News, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on December 11th, condemning the United States for providing Ukraine with a $20 billion loan using the proceeds from frozen Russian assets as collateral, calling this behavior "theft". According to TASS, citing the Russian Ministry of Finance, as retaliation, Russia will use the proceeds generated from Western countries' frozen assets in Russia to support Russia's regional and economic development.
The United States and the West freeze approximately $300 billion in Russia's overseas assets
After the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the US and the West will freeze Russia's overseas assets of about $300 billion. Among them, 5 to 6 billion US dollars are in the United States, while the vast majority are in EU countries. About 90% of frozen Russian assets within the European Union are controlled by the European Clearing Bank, headquartered in Belgium, which generates approximately 3 billion euros in interest annually.
In October of this year, the leaders of the G7 reached a consensus on the details of providing Ukraine with a $50 billion loan using the proceeds from frozen Russian assets as collateral. Among them, the United States and the European Union have pledged to each provide Ukraine with a loan of $20 billion, while the United Kingdom, Japan, and Canada share the remaining $10 billion.
The US Treasury Department announces a $20 billion loan disbursement for Ukraine
According to CCTV News, on December 10th local time, the US Treasury Department announced that it has allocated $20 billion from the total $50 billion loan provided by the G7 to Ukraine to a World Bank intermediary fund to provide economic and financial assistance to Ukraine.
It is reported that this funding will be completed before the inauguration of US President elect Trump in January to protect the funds from being recovered by the Trump administration. This $50 billion loan will be repaid using interest income from approximately $300 billion of frozen sovereign assets in Russia, with a loan term of 30 years.
Will the peace talks start this winter? How is Ukraine considering?
According to CCTV News, while the conflict between Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, Ukraine has been in frequent contact with the United States and the West in recent days, and the Russian Ukrainian peace talks have become a topic of great concern.
Poland says Russia Ukraine peace talks may begin this winter
Polish Prime Minister Tusk stated on the 10th that the Russia Ukraine peace talks may begin this winter, and Poland will participate in the arrangement of the political agenda. He said that Poland will take over the rotating presidency of the EU in January next year, when Poland will play an important role in the negotiations on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine seeks diplomatic resolution to end conflict, plans to hold contact group meeting
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated after meeting with the visiting chairman of Germany's largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union, that he is seeking to end the conflict through diplomatic means. He stated that the Ukrainian side is already preparing for relevant matters and has established a new contact group. Ukraine plans to hold a contact group meeting in December to discuss its position on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomatic means.
Zelensky: Discussing joining the treaty with Trump is' meaningless'
Zelensky also reiterated his stance on joining NATO, but it is worth noting that he stated that discussing this topic with US President elect Trump is "meaningless" because Trump has not yet taken office in the White House, so he "cannot say for now". He also added that if given the opportunity, he would call current US President Biden as soon as possible regarding this issue.
Trump: Ukraine should be prepared for reduced US aid
According to CCTV News, Trump has issued a message calling for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations as soon as possible. However, he reiterated in an interview with NBC News that he may reduce military aid to Ukraine after taking office, and Ukraine "may" need to be prepared.
Russia says it will not make concessions on the Ukraine issue and hopes to engage with the US
According to CCTV News, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova stated at a regular press conference on December 11th that in response to the negotiation proposal put forward by US President elect Trump on the 8th, Russia will not make concessions on the Ukraine issue and hopes to engage with the US. However, no "serious suggestions" have been received from the US President elect Trump's team so far.
[align center] △ Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova