**President Zelensky Meets with CIA Director**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with CIA Director William Burns in Kyiv, marking a rare public acknowledgment of their discussions during the ongoing war with Russia. The meeting took place on December 21.
The United States has been Ukraine’s key ally since the full-scale invasion began nearly three years ago. Washington has provided substantial financial and military aid to Ukraine, as well as shared military intelligence to bolster its defense.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky thanked Burns for his assistance, saying: “Bill Burns visited Ukraine on his final trip as CIA Director. Throughout this war, we’ve had many meetings, and I am deeply grateful for his assistance.” The two leaders have met multiple times throughout the war, but their encounters were typically kept confidential.
**Russian Invasion Update**
The war has resulted in significant losses for both sides. According to the United Nations, over 12,340 civilians were killed and more than 27,836 were wounded in Ukraine between February 24, 2022, and November 30, 2024.
In other news, a Ukrainian woman is in serious condition after a car plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 20. The incident has claimed five lives and left over 200 people injured.
**Other Developments**
The Russian embassy in London has criticized the UK‘s plan to transfer more than two billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, calling it a “fraudulent scheme.”
Ukraine has refused to extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, set to expire on December 31.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has expressed interest in visiting Russia, saying he had “learned unofficially” of the upcoming visit.
The IMF has approved a $1.1 billion tranche for Ukraine as part of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) plan.
**Air Defense Concerns**
A source close to the Guardian has expressed doubts about the air defense’s ability to function effectively, saying the situation was reaching a critical level.
**Oil Shipments Halted**
Russian and Kazakh oil shipments to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted since December 19 due to technical issues at a Russian pumping station.
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