Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has stated that Denmark recognizes US security interests in the Arctic region and is willing to discuss them with President-elect Donald Trump's administration. He emphasized that both countries share concerns about security in the area, particularly regarding strategic resources and climate change, which are making the region a key point for international relations and security.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941251-denmark-ready-to-discuss-arctic-security-with-trump-administrationSri Lanka's new Prime Minister Dissanayake has assured India that his country will not allow its territory to be used against Indian interests, a move seen as a shift from the previous pro-China stance of the Rajapaksa government. This assurance was made during his visit to Delhi in December, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement is significant given China's strategic ties with Sri Lanka, including the 99-year lease of the Hambantota port and the development of the Colombo Port City project.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/sri-lankan-president-dissanayake-begins-three-day-china-visit-starting-tuesday-heres-whats-on-agenda-13852497.htmlThe European Union has announced plans to reduce its reliance on Russian gas by two-thirds by 2025 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The EU aims to increase imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from other countries, including the United States and Qatar, to meet its energy needs. This move is part of a broader effort to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The European Union is considering alternative measures to ban Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports due to concerns over reliance on Moscow's energy supplies. The EU aims to end its use of Russian fossil fuels by 2027, as outlined in the RePowerEU Roadmap. Currently, some EU countries continue to rely on Russian gas, but have sanctioned seaborne oil imports from Russia. A group of 10 countries has proposed banning Russian LNG tankers from docking inside the EU. The European Commission is drafting a more detailed plan to reduce dependence on Russian energy, which would require unanimous approval from all EU countries.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/eu-countries-call-for-sanctions-on-russian-lng-and-pipeline-gas-document-showsSix European Union countries - Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia - have called on the European Commission to lower the G7 price cap for Russian oil from $60 per barrel, arguing it would reduce Moscow's revenues used to fund its war against Ukraine. The six countries believe lowering the cap will not cause a market shock due to improved global oil supply and Russia's dependence on energy exports. They argue that targeting Russia's oil revenue is crucial in limiting its ability to finance the invasion of Ukraine.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3948047-eu-countries-call-for-lowering-g7-price-cap-on-russian-oil.htmlThe European Union has delivered over 150,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine since its invasion by Russia, which included essential items such as power generators, medical equipment, temporary shelters and water purification systems.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/941264-eu-allocates-another-140-million-euros-to-ukraineThe European Union is offering support to Bangladesh as it prepares to graduate from its least developed country (LDC) status, but notes that the country must implement reforms such as labour law changes to maintain preferential trade benefits. EU Ambassador Michael Miller emphasized the need for comprehensive revisions to Bangladesh's labour laws and transparency in the process during a visit to two knitwear factories in Narayanganj.
https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangladesh-needs-labour-reforms-secure-post-ldc-benefits-eu-ambassador-1042301The European region, including the EU and its member states, Norway, and the UK, has surpassed the US as the leading provider of aid to Ukraine, with approximately €125 billion allocated by late last year, exceeding the $88 billion provided by the United States.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-13/opinion/columns/Is-it-the-hour-of-Europe-again/2220618Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed concerns about escalating tensions in the region following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks on the gas dispute between Slovakia and Ukraine. Fico stated that he would not comment on Zelenskyy's comments, instead focusing on resolving the issue of suspended gas transit through Ukraine, which is causing damage to Ukraine, Slovakia, and the European Union. The conflict has also led to a cyberattack on Slovakia's land registry and heightened tensions within the Bratislava government, where Fico's coalition faces a crisis due to differing views on Russia's international agenda among its member parties.
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-slovakia-robert-fico-russian-gas-transit-agreement-cyberattacks/