Papuashvili slams EU pressure over Georgia's visa waiver scheme
Georgia's Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused Brussels of using visa policy as a political weapon rather than a technical instrument....
EU envoys will meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions targeting Russian oil tankers and Chinese firms involved in drone production for Moscow. The new measures aim to further restrict Russia’s access to financial assets and tighten pressure on its oil revenue.
European Union envoys are set to meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions against Russia in response to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Among the proposed measures are sanctions targeting tankers transporting Russian oil and Chinese companies involved in the production of drones for Moscow, according to EU diplomats.
The new sanctions would add 29 entities and 54 individuals to the EU’s existing list, which already includes over 2,200 individuals and organisations. Those added to the list would face travel bans and asset freezes within the 27-member bloc, with little expectation of significant opposition, the diplomats noted.
A more substantial sanctions package is expected to be proposed in January, after Poland takes over the EU's rotating presidency from Hungary. Hungary’s Russia-friendly leader has previously delayed or blocked measures aimed at assisting Ukraine.
In September, Reuters revealed that Russia had established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones. The proposed inclusion of 48 tankers in the sanctions list is part of ongoing efforts by Western allies to curb Russia’s oil revenues by reinforcing the G7 price cap on Russian oil, although Western officials acknowledge that the effectiveness of the cap is expected to wane over time.
The 16th sanctions package, anticipated later, is expected to impose tighter restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows and expand the use of the “No Russia” clause. This would require subsidiaries of EU companies based in third countries to prevent the re-export of certain goods to Russia.
The EU is also looking to target financial institutions that help Russia bypass Western sanctions, in a move similar to actions already taken by the United States earlier this year.
Vince Zampella, co-creator of the Call of Duty gaming franchise, has died in a car crash involving a Ferrari crash on Monday in Los Angeles, United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is monitoring recent Iranian military exercises and will raise the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to Washington next week.
U.S. President Donald Trump has approved plans to construct a new class of battleships, which he described as larger, faster and significantly more powerful than any previous U.S. warship.
Libya’s chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, has died in a plane crash shortly after departing Türkiye’s capital, Ankara, the prime minister of Libya’s UN-recognised government has said.
Thailand and Cambodia both reported fresh clashes on Wednesday, as the two sides prepared to hold military talks aimed at easing tensions along their shared border.
Military representatives from Cambodia and Thailand met in Chanthaburi province on Wednesday ahead of formal ceasefire talks at the 3rd special GBC meeting scheduled for 27th December.
France’s government is moving to pass emergency legislation to keep the state operating into January after lawmakers failed to agree on a 2026 budget, as pressure grows from investors and credit ratings agencies.
Australia’s most populous state has passed sweeping new gun control and anti-terror laws following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership rules, banning the public display of terrorist symbols and expanding police powers to restrict protests.
Thailand and Cambodia both reported fresh clashes on Wednesday, as the two sides prepared to hold military talks aimed at easing tensions along their shared border.
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