A new major logistics hub for Ukraine will open in Romania by the end of January 2026, becoming the second-largest in Europe after Rzeszów. It will allow NATO to double the flow of military aid to Ukraine, including through the PURL mechanism, where the U.S. supplies arms and Europe covers the cost.

Swedish authorities have detained the Russian cargo ship Adler, whose owner is under EU and US sanctions for allegedly transporting weapons used in the war against Ukraine. The ship anchored in Swedish waters after engine failure. Customs boarded after the crew failed to present required declarations. The inspection is still ongoing.

Rare footage from Ukraine’s 25th Airborne Brigade shows multiple Russian FPV drones striking a single target within minutes in Pokrovsk. Russian forces are using swarms of drones in an attempt to overwhelm defenses and destroy everything in sight.

Putin personally picked U.S. real estate developer Steve Witkoff as a key backchannel negotiator with the U.S., WSJ reports. The Kremlin’s outreach reportedly began via Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who passed a message to Witkoff that Putin wanted to meet him directly. Moscow vetted Trump’s circle and saw Witkoff as acceptable. His involvement included close coordination with Putin aide Kirill Dmitriev.

Zelensky calls the EU’s €90B package a historic move tied to frozen Russian assets, boosting Ukraine’s position in peace talks. The loan is interest-free and will only be repaid if Russia pays reparations. He says Europe showed strength and unity, this is a real victory for Ukraine, financially and geopolitically.

Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky backs the decision to send underperforming officers from the 125th Brigade to the infantry, saying commanders must understand the cost of bad decisions. After months of complaints about unprepared troops and missing soldiers, new brigade commander Volodymyr Fokin initiated reforms, tested officers, and reassigned those who failed. Biletsky says this is a step toward a more responsible and combat-ready army, replacing “paper generals” with capable leaders.

Orbán claims he saved Hungary from war by blocking the use of frozen Russian assets and rejecting the EU’s €90B loan to Ukraine, calling it a “war loan” that would burden Hungarian taxpayers. He says Hungary, Slovakia, and Czechia stayed out, while 24 EU states went ahead. Orbán insists only “a government of patriots” can keep Hungary out of the war. In response, Poland’s Foreign Minister Sikorski posted a sarcastic “congratulations” with a picture of the Soviet Union’s Order of Lenin medal.

🇨🇿 New Czech Defence Minister suggests the artillery “shell initiative” will continue The newly appointed Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zuna signalled that Prague expects to extend its initiative to supply artillery shells to Ukraine, according to ČTK. Zuna plans an official visit to Ukraine, but his first foreign trip will be to Slovakia.

🇺🇸 Secretary of State Marco Rubio: The U.S. will not impose any peace deal on Ukraine and Russia. He emphasized that only the parties to the conflict can make the final decision to end the war, and Washington does not intend to pressure or dictate specific terms during negotiations.

During their meeting, Polish PM Donald Tusk told President Zelensky: “You have stronger cards. I know you don’t play cards, remember?” Zelensky smiled: “But sometimes I do.” Tusk replied: “With us, your cards are even stronger.”