Thursday, December 18, 2025

Americas

US Congress ends sanctions on Syria

The US Congress has permanently ended sanctions imposed on Syria under ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation.

US approves $11bn in weapons sales to Taiwan in deal likely to anger China

The United States has approved $11.1bn in arms sales to Taiwan, one of Washington’s largest-ever military packages for the self-ruled island, which Beijing has promised to unify with mainland China.

US readies new Russia sanctions if Kremlin rejects peace accord: Bloomberg

The United States is preparing a further round of sanctions on Russia's energy sector to increase the pressure on Moscow should President Vladimir Putin reject a peace accord with Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

American senators introduce bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russian oil profits

A bipartisan group of four American senators introduced the Decreasing Russia Oil Profits (DROP) Act of 2025, a bill that would impose targeted sanctions on anyone dealing in Russian oil.

Trump expands travel ban, targets Syria, Palestine

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation expanding the scope of his administration’s ban on travel into the United States from various countries, targeting Syria and Palestine.

Ukraine ‘already lost territory’: US

US President Donald Trump stated he had a “very good conversation” with European leaders and also spoke directly with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in recent days, as part of efforts to get all sides of the Ukraine conflict “on the same page.”

Trump pressuring Zelensky to cede land to Russia: Bild

US President Donald Trump is pressuring his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to cede territory to Russia in an effort to end the conflict between Kiev and Moscow, Bild has claimed, citing anonymous sources.

US stormed cargo ship travelling from China to Iran: Wall Street Journal

United States raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran last month, according to the Wall Street Journal, in the latest reported instance of increasingly aggressive maritime tactics by the administration of American President Donald Trump.

Trump’s envoy to meet Zelensky, European leaders over US peace plan: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and European leaders in Brussels over the weekend as discussions on Washington-proposed peace framework aimed at ending Russia's war continue, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

US withheld intelligence from Israel during Biden era: Reuters

US intelligence officials temporarily suspended sharing some key information with Israel during the Joe Biden administration over concerns about its conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, six people familiar with the matter told Reuters news agency.

Trump claims everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ US peace plan

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Ukrainian people supported his peace proposal, which was rejected by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

US secretly planning five-nation club including Russia to sideline G7: Report

The US is secretly planning to create a five-nation power bloc with Russia, China, India and Japan to sideline the Western-dominated G7, according to reports.

US House passes $800mn aid package for Ukraine through 2027

The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that would provide $800 million in military assistance to Kiev through 2027.

US Congress advances bill to repeal Caesar Act sanctions on Syria

The United States House of Representatives has voted forward a bill that would nix the restrictive Caesar Act sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during the rule of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ to be announced in early 2026: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that the members of his Gaza "Board of Peace" will be announced early next year, adding that they will be comprised of global leaders.

Ukraine sends revised peace plan to US: AFP

Ukraine has sent Washington an updated plan for ending Russia's war, Ukrainian officials has told AFP, as US President Donald Trump laid into European leaders in the latest sign of a growing transatlantic rift.

US highlights ‘close cooperation’ with Syria against Daesh threats

The head of the US military’s Middle East-based Central Command, Brad Cooper, has said that the United States is working with Syrian forces to carry out operations against Daesh, highlighting the collaboration between Washington and Damascus.

EU says Trump’s comments ‘provocation’

US President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the EU are a “provocation”, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has cautioned.

Zelensky should hold elections: Trump

US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to hold elections, questioning the country’s democratic credentials in an interview with Politico published on Tuesday.

US must not threaten EU democracy: Brussels

The US must not threaten to interfere in the EU’s “democratic life”, European Council President Antonio Costa has stressed, adding that Brussels and Washington no longer share a common worldview.

US to spend $800mn on support for Ukraine in 2026, 2027: Pentagon budget draft

The US’ draft budget allocates $400 million each for support for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027, according to the draft of the National Defense Authorization Act published by Pentagon, on which Congress will begin voting this week.

New US security strategy accords largely with Russia’s view: Kremlin

The Kremlin has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's new national security strategy and announced it largely accorded with Russia's own perceptions, the first time that Moscow has so fulsomely praised such a document from its former Cold War foe.

Ukraine leader had a ‘difficult’ call with US negotiators: Axios

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has had a difficult discussion with US negotiators about Russia’s territorial demands, Axios reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

US set to deport more Iranians back to their home country: CNN

The Donald Trump administration is expected to deport dozens of Iranians back to their home country on Sunday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

EU says Washington ‘biggest ally’ despite US security downgrade

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has stated that the United States remains Europe’s “biggest ally” despite stinging criticism of the continent in a major strategy document amid ongoing ceasefire talks on the Ukraine war.

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