Russia

Russia's energy sector is under direct assault from US sanctions enforcement, but is pursuing strategic asset sales to international firms. The US seized multiple Russian-flagged oil tankers in the Atlantic, directly targeting energy exports. Concurrently, Deputy Prime Minister Novak declared Russia's intent to be a global energy leader, while the Carlyle Group agreed to buy Lukoil's international assets, indicating a pivot in capital strategy.

• 8Carlyle Group agrees to buy Lukoil's international assets
• 3Russia to become one of global energy leaders in new multipolar world — Novak
• 3Mol acquires Gazprom stake from Serbia's NIS: minister
• 2Russia reveals Ukraine energy ceasefire pushed by Trump is nearly over
• 2Russia says is ready to evacuate its staff from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant if necessary

Russian diplomacy is aggressively engaging in high-stakes peace talks over Ukraine while asserting territorial narratives. The Kremlin, through Lavrov, compared Crimea to Greenland to challenge Western positions, and invited Zelensky to Moscow for talks. Russia, Ukraine, and the US held first trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, with Trump's envoy also traveling to Moscow, indicating a concentrated diplomatic push.

• 25Russia's Lavrov compares Crimea to Greenland in dispute with West
• 15Zelensky says Ukraine will attend Davos if it gets needed weapons
• 14Russia invites Zelensky to Moscow for peace talks, Kyiv seeks temporary truce
• 14Syrian leader meets Putin in Moscow to discuss military aid
• 13Trump pledges to address Russian activity near Greenland, drawing international reactions

Russia maintains a campaign of major aerial bombardments against Ukrainian cities while agreeing to temporary tactical pauses. Russian strikes left half of Kyiv without heat and power, killed people in Kharkiv, and featured a new hypersonic missile. However, Russia agreed to pause strikes on Kyiv after a request from Trump, showcasing the conflict's direct linkage to US diplomacy.

• 22France intercepts oil tanker from Russia in the Mediterranean
• 9Report says Russia-Ukraine war casualties could soon reach two million
• 7Russia agrees to pause strikes on Kyiv after Trump request
• 7Russia launches major air strikes on Kyiv as peace talks resume in Abu Dhabi
• 6Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities, leaving thousands without power in freezing cold

Russian society is contending with extreme weather disruptions, as record-breaking snowfall paralyzes Moscow and the Kamchatka Peninsula. The heaviest snowfall in over 200 years blanketed Moscow, severely disrupting daily life. This domestic crisis unfolds against a media backdrop warning of potential large-scale war over an Iranian blockade.

• 2Moscow records heaviest snowfall in over 200 years
• 2No one owns our Arctic land, we share it, say Greenland’s Inuit
• 2Record-breaking snowstorm hits Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula
• 2Thousands march in Greenland to support Arctic island in face of Trump threats to take it over - International - World
• 2Putin attends Christmas Eve mass On Air