New sanctions against Russia, EU ministers' meeting in Lviv - Friday brief

Zelenskyy imposes sanctions against over 70 companies from Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and China

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions against 58 Russians and 74 companies from Russia, Iran, Uzbekistan, and China.

The sanctions target 58 individuals, 67 Russian companies, mostly related to the defense industry, as well as three companies from Iran and Uzbekistan, and one from China (Hong Kong).

UK hits Russia's shadow fleet with largest sanctions since invasion of Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the largest sanctions package to date, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. The measures have immobilized 200 vessels, nearly half of Russia’s fleet.

The new package targets ships and vessels accused of damaging critical underwater infrastructure. Sanctioned tankers will be barred from entering UK ports and risk being detained in British waters. Similar measures were introduced against the Kremlin during the most recent JEF meeting in December 2024.

EU foreign ministers issue statement on establishing tribunal for Russia over crimes against Ukraine

A meeting of the foreign ministers of the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (the Core Group) took place in Lviv. The initiative gave political backing for launching the special tribunal.

The foreign ministers and other representatives of the core group members approved the establishment of the special tribunal, referring to the UN General Assembly resolutions on aggression against Ukraine and the Vienna-Riga statement of the core group dated November 22, 2024.

US warns of threat of massive attack on Ukraine

The US Embassy in Kyiv has reported receiving specific information about a potential serious airstrike on Ukraine "over the next several days".

In its statement, the Embassy urged its citizens in Ukraine to prepare for emergency actions in the event of an air alert announcement.

Last chance for Russia: EU and US to propose new ceasefire in Ukraine

The EU and the US have nearly finalized a ceasefire proposal between Ukraine and Russia. If it is not accepted, Moscow will face new sanctions.

According to an anonymous source cited by Reuters, the United States and its European allies are completing work on a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. It is known that if Russia rejects the proposal, it will trigger a joint introduction of new sanctions against Moscow.

Espionage scandal: Hungary expels Ukrainian diplomats over Security Service’s actions, Ukraine responds

For the first time in the history of Ukraine, the Security Service (SBU) exposed Hungarian military intelligence agents who were spying in the Zakarpattia region.

The task of this cell was to collect information about the military security of the Zakarpattia region, search for vulnerabilities in the region's ground and air defense, and study the socio-political views of residents. In particular, scenarios of their behavior if Hungarian troops enter the region.

The SBU detained two agents from the Hungarian secret service network.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó commented on the spy incident. He stated that the information that Hungarian military intelligence agents had been exposed should be considered as "Ukrainian propaganda."

Later it became known that Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats.

According to Szijjártó, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, anti-Hungarian propaganda in Ukraine has been growing stronger. He said the reason for the current "slanderous campaign against Hungarians" is the same as before: the Hungarian government refuses to supply weapons to Ukraine and continues to advocate for peace.

Ukraine expels two Hungarian diplomats in response to Hungary's actions. They must leave the country within 48 hours, according to a statement from Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.