**Ukraine Rejects Alternative Security Guarantees**
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the country will not accept any security guarantees that do not include NATO membership. This comes as NATO foreign ministers meet in Brussels, with Ukraine participating.
The ministry’s statement was made on December 3, just two days before the anniversary of the Budapest Memorandum signing. In 1994, Ukraine gave up its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal in exchange for recognition of its borders and security guarantees from the US, Russia, and others.
**No Consensus on NATO Membership**
NATO foreign ministers are meeting to discuss Ukraine’s membership bid, but there is no consensus among allies. Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary have expressed opposition to Ukraine’s quick accession to the alliance.
Ukraine has urged allies to issue a membership invitation, but it appears that this will not happen during the current meeting. President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested ending the “hot phase” of war along Ukraine’s eastern front in exchange for NATO membership.
**Russian Blackmail Attempts**
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has called on the US and other countries to support Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership as a way to counteract Russian blackmail attempts. The ministry also urged countries that signed or joined the Budapest Memorandum, including France and China, to back Ukraine’s membership bid.
**Casualties and Damage**
Russian forces have targeted energy infrastructure facilities in several regions of Ukraine, causing damage and disrupting power supplies. There were 1,780 casualties among Russian forces over the past day.
**International Support**
The European Commission has announced a package of military aid for Ukraine, which includes Stinger missiles, artillery ammunition, drones, and landmines. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine’s capital and promised to deliver arms worth $680 million.
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