Russia, Ukraine update battle reports

Russia claimed to strike Ukrainian military airfield, while Ukraine stated that it has repelled multiple Russian attacks, according to the latest briefings of the two sides on Friday.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a briefing Friday that its forces had taken control of multiple settlements over the past week and launched dozens of strikes on Ukrainian military industrial energy facilities, infrastructure at military airports, drone production and storage facilities, among other targets.

Russian air defense forces intercepted Ukrainian missiles, aerial bombs, rockets, and hundreds of drones. Furthermore, the Russian forces continued to target Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the Kursk region of Russia.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that the Ukrainian forces engaged in 100 battles with Russian forces on the front line. The front line situation remains complex and tense, with Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses being repelled by Ukrainian forces. John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council, said on Friday that the United States would announce a new round of military support for Ukraine in the coming days.

Also on Friday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his government may stop electricity supplies to Ukraine following the anticipated end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine on Jan. 1, 2025.

If necessary, Slovakia will stop the supply of electricity, which Ukraine desperately needs during grid outages. Or Slovakia will agree on another course of action, Fico said in a video post on social media.

Fico's remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed opposition to the continued transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia once the current contract expires at the beginning of next year.

Fico added that according to estimates, the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and Slovakia could cost the European Union 120 billion euros over the next two years. Slovakia, he said, would lose up to 500 million euros annually in transit fees.

Fico also indicated Slovakia's readiness to host peace talks on Ukraine. If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, Slovakia will be ready and hospitable, Fico said. Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 22 in Moscow, discussing issues including the transit of Russian gas.

Russia, Ukraine update battle reports

Twenty-nine countries on Thursday signed an agreement in Shanghai on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).

The WAICO will be an independent intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Shanghai, according to the agreement.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government.

Representatives from the 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, signed the agreement, making their countries the WAICO's founding members. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was among representatives from countries and international organizations present at the signing ceremony.

The organization will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, be committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and adhere to a people-centered approach, according to the agreement.

It aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.

29 countries sign agreement on establishing World AI Cooperation Organization