**Austrian Oil Company Ends Deal with Russia**
The Austrian oil and gas company OMV has stopped its long-term contract with Russia’s Gazprom Export. This decision was made public on December 11.
OMV said that it had many problems with Gazprom, including “numerous material violations of contractual obligations.” The company claimed that gas deliveries stopped on November 16.
The contract between OMV and Gazprom was supposed to last until 2040. OMV’s CEO, Alfred Stern, said that the company has enough gas from other sources to keep its customers safe.
**Austria Rejects Russian Pressure**
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer commented on the situation. He said that Russia is trying to use energy as a weapon, but this plan will not work. Austria will not be blackmailed by Russia, he stated.
OMV supplies about 30% of the Austrian gas market. The company’s biggest shareholder is the Austrian government.
**Ukraine War Update**
The death toll from a recent Russian attack in Ukraine rose to 10 on December 12. Rescuers found a woman’s body under the rubble of a building destroyed by a missile.
Russia also damaged two Ukrainian positions in the area of Pokrovsk, said Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. He added that “non-standard decisions” are needed near the embattled city.
**International Reaction**
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced 170 million euros ($178 million) to support border protection efforts in six European countries.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two discussed the war in Ukraine during a phone call.
The US sees Russia’s new missile, Oreshnik, as an attempt at intimidation rather than a game-changer on the battlefield.