**US Slaps Visa Ban on 20 Georgians**
The US State Department has announced visa bans for around 20 individuals from Georgia. This move comes after the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said EU accession talks would be suspended until 2028.
Protests have been happening daily in Georgia, with hundreds of people detained and dozens injured as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them. The US has condemned the ruling Georgian Dream party, saying they are undermining democracy.
The visa ban will affect Georgian ministers, parliament members, security officials, and private individuals. Additional measures, including sanctions, are being prepared by the State Department.
**Ukraine Updates**
In other news, Ukrainian forces have had success in the Kupiansk sector, where two Russian bridgeheads that emerged during the crossing of the Oskil River were destroyed. This has raised concerns about a growing risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area.
Google Play will halt processing payments to app developers with bank accounts in Russia starting December 26. The move is part of international efforts to isolate Russia from the global economy.
**Russia and Ukraine Tensions**
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high, with Russian President Vladimir Putin calling for urgent measures to support coal companies facing losses and bankruptcies.
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has rejected Russia’s appeal, upholding a decision requiring Russia to pay $5 billion in compensation to Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz for misappropriated assets in occupied Crimea.
**Global Reactions**
Moldova‘s parliament has voted to introduce a 60-day-long state of emergency starting December 16 over the expected halt of Russian gas transit via Ukraine. The European Union and other countries have imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgian Dream, for his role in suppressing protests.
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