The state budget of Ukraine received $1.34 billion from the World Bank.
In parallel, Ukraine is awaiting a decision from the Group of Seven (G7) countries on the confiscation of Russian assets.
Read about these and other main events on December 25 in Ukraine and the world in the digest on Facts ICTV.
Now watching
- Fire in Crimea
- Confiscation of Russian assets: Ukraine awaits G7 decision
- Zelensky about the work of air defense
- $1.34 billion from the World Bank
- Request for mobilization of 500 thousand military
- The Pope remembered Ukraine for Christmas
- Israel to expand operations against Hamas
Fire in Crimea
In temporarily occupied Crimea, a fire occurred at one of the facilities.
In the video that went viral online, you can see a large fire and black, thick smoke rising into the sky.
There was a fire in Sevastopol, but where exactly — not known. There is no information about the consequences yet either.
No official information has been received yet.
Confiscation of Russian assets: Ukraine awaits G7 decision
Kyiv is awaiting a coordinated decision by the G7 countries on the confiscation of frozen assets of the Russian Federation.
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Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Igor Zhovkva stated this in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
— Here the G7 must make a joint coordinated decision. You know that some European countries are trying to practically start this process, for example, Belgium, — noted by Zhovkva.
He reported that Ukrainian officials spoke in the United States about allowing frozen Russian assets to start working now.
Zhovkva said that this is possible through rapid restoration projects, social projects such as the restoration of liberated territories, as well as bomb shelters, schools and the like.
— This requires appropriate legislative decisions in these countries. At EU level, this requires, for example, a common EU directive — says Zhovkva.
Zelensky about the work of air defense
The Ukrainian military destroyed almost 30 Shaheds, several missiles and two more Russian fighters over Christmas evening, said Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
— Christmas evening during the war. Our soldiers shot down not only almost 30 Shaheds and several missiles, but also two more Russian “sushki”, — he informed.
In just a week, our military lost 5 planes.
— This Christmas sets the right mood for the whole next year — the mood of our possibilities. Opportunities in negotiations with partners. Opportunities to strengthen our air shield. Opportunities to protect our home from Russian terrorists. The stronger our air defense is, the fewer Russian devils there will be in our skies and on our land, — added the president.
Zelensky thanked all our soldiers for their accuracy and strength, as well as each and everyone who, both on Christmas and on weekdays, cares about the defense of our state, and congratulated the Ukrainians on Christmas.
— May this bright time make the whole next year brighter for us, — he said.
$1.34 billion from the World Bank
Ukraine's state budget received $1.34 billion on December 25 as the sixth additional funding under the World Bank's Public Expenditure Support for Sustainable Governance in Ukraine (PEACE in Ukraine) project.
The Ministry of Finance stated that these funds will be used for partial compensation of expenses not related to the security and defense sector, in particular for pension payments and payments to employees of the State Emergency Service.
Financing consists of a World Bank loan of $1.086 billion, which was guaranteed by the Japanese government, everything else — this is grant support.
In particular, we are talking about $190 million from Norway through the Trust Fund for Support, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reform of Ukraine (URTF), $50 million — from the US government and $20 million — from the Swiss government.
Request to mobilize 500 thousand military
Today, December 25, the government was supposed to submit a bill on mobilization to the Rada, said the head of the Servant of the People faction, David Arakhamia.
He expressed hope that the Cabinet of Ministers will soon complete its part of the work, since the absence of this bill “gives rise to uncertainty and a large number of fakes about checkpoints, activities, etc.”.
According to him, the work algorithm has not changed: the military command has made a request for the mobilization of 500 thousand people, the government is developing rules.
— The President clearly emphasized that he requires an integrated approach to serving in the Armed Forces. Simply recruiting new people will not solve the problems of those who are currently serving — not a solution. Parliament is awaiting a finished document that can be discussed at the Committee, — the message says.
Arahamia noted that the military needs solutions to its problems. Society wants to hear answers to all sensitive issues.
The Pope remembered Ukraine for Christmas
Pope Francis asked for peace for Ukraine during his address to believers.
— With my eyes fixed on the baby Jesus, I ask for peace for Ukraine. Let us renew our spiritual and human intimacy with her suffering people, so that through the support of each of us they will feel the concreteness of God's love, — he called in his Christmas message to the laity from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
The Pope wished peace to Israel and Palestine, and also addressed “the population of suffering Syria, the population of Yemen” and the people of Lebanon.
— Let the day of final peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan approach, — Francis wished.
Israel to expand operations against Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war with Hamas in Gaza is far from over.
He made the corresponding statement after his own rare visit to the combat zone in the Palestinian coastal enclave, which took place on December 25.
— We do not stop, we continue to fight and deepen the fighting in the coming days. This will be a long battle, and it is not close to over yet. We need patience, unity and adherence to our mission, — Netanyahu said at a meeting of the Likud faction in the Knesset.
The Prime Minister of Israel said that today he visited a brigade of reservists in Gaza.
— Everyone asked me only one thing: that we don’t stop and go to the end, — he noted to his Cabinet of Ministers.
