United News of Bangladesh

Western officials say Russia is waging a widespread campaign of sabotage across Europe, aiming to disrupt support for Ukraine, expose security weaknesses, and sow divisions among EU nations. In November, a train carrying nearly 500 passengers in eastern Poland was forced to stop after a broken overhead line shattered windows, while explosives detonated under a freight train on the same line. Poland blamed Russian intelligence and deployed 10,000 troops to protect critical infrastructure. These incidents are part of at least 145 documented sabotage acts since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to an Associated Press database and European officials. While most attacks have caused limited damage, ranging from vandalism to cyberattacks and warehouse fires, they consume significant resources from security services across Europe, officials say. European intelligence agencies report that the hybrid campaign costs Russia very little, often relying on foreigners with criminal backgrounds as proxies, while forcing EU nations to cooperate extensively on investigations. “It’s a 24/7 operation between all the services to stop it,” said a senior European intelligence official on condition of anonymity. Incidents have targeted countries bordering Russia, including Poland and Estonia, as well as Latvia, the U.K., Germany, and France. Officials note a temporary lull in late 2024, likely to align with the start of President Donald Trump’s new administration, but attacks have since resumed at full intensity. Many plots involve cross-border perpetrators, straining multiple authorities. For instance, a Moldovan man set fire to a Ukrainian restaurant in Estonia and fled through Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland before being caught in Italy. Russian intelligence frequently recruits individuals with criminal records, including former prisoners, to carry out operations, reducing risk to Russian operatives. Even foiled plots drain European resources while testing defenses. Last year, a Ukrainian recruited by Russian intelligence in Lithuania planted explosives inside drone components, which authorities later intercepted. Despite the pressure, Moscow’s campaign has prompted greater cooperation among European nations. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have formed joint investigative teams, while U.K. police receive specialized training to detect state-backed attacks. Officials caution that Russia continues experimenting with new tactics. In Belarus, smuggling networks have repeatedly sent hundreds of weather balloons carrying cigarettes into Lithuania and Poland, temporarily shutting down airports—a hybrid tactic authorities warn could evolve into more dangerous threats.  

Belgium on Thursday demanded firm guarantees from its European Union partners that it would be shielded from Russian retaliation before supporting a major EU loan to Ukraine. At a high-stakes EU summit in Brussels, leaders of the 27-nation bloc are set to consider using tens of billions of euros from frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s military and economic needs over the next two years. Most of the assets—around 193 billion euros ($227 billion) as of September—are held by Brussels-based financial clearing house Euroclear, which Russia’s Central Bank recently sued. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told parliament: “Give me a parachute and we’ll all jump together. If we have confidence in the parachute, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Belgium fears potential Russian retaliation and prefers borrowing on international markets, while seeking contributions from frozen assets in other EU countries and legal guarantees for Euroclear. European officials have warned of Russian attempts to disrupt and pressure the continent, with the Central Bank lawsuit intensifying scrutiny on Belgium ahead of the summit. The proposed “reparations loan” would provide Ukraine 90 billion euros ($106 billion), with countries such as the U.K., Canada, and Norway covering any shortfall. Russia’s claim to the assets remains, but the funds would remain frozen until the Kremlin ends the war and compensates for damages. De Wever said Belgium remains “a faithful ally” of Ukraine but is unconvinced by current EU safeguards. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgency, saying: “We will not leave the European Council without a solution for the funding of Ukraine for the next two years.” EU Council President António Costa pledged to continue negotiations until an agreement is reached. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of stark choices, stating: “Either money today or blood tomorrow,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged using frozen Russian assets, citing escalating Russian threats. Opposition exists within the bloc: Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, and Malta have raised objections, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticizing the plan as “a dead end” and warning that providing funds could escalate conflict.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow would seek to extend its territorial gains in Ukraine if Kyiv and its Western allies reject the Kremlin’s demands in ongoing peace talks. Speaking at an annual meeting with senior military officers, Putin said Russia preferred to achieve its objectives through diplomacy but was prepared to pursue them by force if negotiations collapse. “If the opposing side and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive dialogue, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands by military means,” he said. The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies diplomatic efforts to end nearly four years of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Those efforts, however, have faced deep disagreements between Moscow and Kyiv over territory and security guarantees. Putin claimed Russian forces had seized and were holding the strategic initiative across the entire front line. He also warned that Moscow would move to expand a so-called “buffer security zone” along Russia’s border with Ukraine. “Our troops are different now. They are battle-hardened, and there is no other such army in the world,” Putin said, praising Russia’s growing military capabilities. He also highlighted the modernization of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including the new nuclear-capable intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile, which he said would officially enter combat duty this month. Russia tested a conventionally armed version of the missile in November 2024 against a Ukrainian factory, with Putin later claiming it was impossible to intercept. Ukraine and its Western allies have repeatedly described Russia’s actions as an unprovoked act of aggression and a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Putin’s remarks followed several rounds of talks this week involving Ukrainian, American and European officials on a U.S.-drafted peace proposal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after meeting U.S. envoys in Berlin that the document could be finalized within days before being presented to the Kremlin. Moscow is demanding international recognition of territories it occupies in four Ukrainian regions, along with Crimea, annexed illegally in 2014. It also insists Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and rejects the deployment of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil. Zelenskyy has said Kyiv could consider dropping its NATO bid in exchange for strong Western security guarantees, but he has firmly rejected Russia’s territorial demands.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said proposals being negotiated with the United States to end Russia’s nearly four-year war against Ukraine could be finalized within days and then presented to Moscow. Speaking after talks with U.S. officials in Berlin on Monday, Zelenskyy said the draft peace plan was not perfect but workable, although major issues remain unresolved, including the future of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces. U.S.-led diplomatic efforts appear to be gaining momentum, with American officials saying there is agreement with Ukraine and European partners on about 90 percent of the U.S.-authored peace framework. U.S. President Donald Trump said a peace settlement is closer than ever before. Zelenskyy said discussions in Berlin brought negotiators close to an agreement on strong security guarantees for Ukraine. A NATO country official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the proposal is based on Western support to keep Ukraine’s military strong. Under the plan, European countries would lead a multinational force to help secure Ukraine by land, sea and air, while the United States would head a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism with international participation, the official said. However, the focus is now shifting to Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin may oppose parts of the proposal, including postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Tuesday that Russia wants a comprehensive peace deal rather than a temporary truce. He said Moscow would not accept solutions that merely give Ukraine time to regroup before continuing the war. Zelenskyy said the land issue remains a key obstacle. He stressed that Ukraine will not recognize Russian control over any part of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk. Russian forces do not fully control either region, although Trump has previously suggested Ukraine may have to concede territory. Zelenskyy said the United States is exploring compromise ideas, including the proposal of a free economic zone in the Donbas, but stressed that such a zone would not be under Russian control. Putin is seeking international recognition of Russian control over parts of four Ukrainian regions seized by his forces, as well as Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014. Zelenskyy warned that if Putin rejects diplomatic efforts, Ukraine will seek stronger Western pressure on Russia, including tougher sanctions and increased military assistance such as enhanced air defense systems and long-range weapons. He said Ukraine and the United States are preparing up to five documents related to the peace framework, with several focused on security arrangements. Zelenskyy described the Berlin talks as positive, saying they demonstrated unity among the United States, Europe and Ukraine.  

Britain’s MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli, has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of deliberately delaying peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine while testing the West with actions “just below the threshold of war.” Speaking publicly for the first time since taking the helm of Britain’s foreign intelligence service, Metreweli said Putin remains intent on subjugating Ukraine and harassing NATO members. She highlighted Russia’s use of hybrid tactics, including cyberattacks, drone incursions, arson, sabotage, disinformation, and “aggressive activities in our seas, above and below the waves.” “The export of chaos is a feature, not a bug,” she said, warning that Moscow’s destabilizing actions are likely to continue until Putin is forced to change course. Metreweli, the first woman to lead MI6, emphasized the growing importance of technology alongside human intelligence, noting that officers must be “as comfortable with lines of code as we are with human sources.” Her comments coincided with ongoing diplomatic efforts to end nearly four years of conflict, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting U.S. and European leaders. The MI6 chief urged vigilance against Russia’s “gray zone” tactics and stressed that Britain must sharpen its intelligence capabilities while upholding ethical standards. Metreweli’s warning reflects broader Western concerns about hybrid threats from Russia, Iran, and China, with British authorities recently imposing sanctions on Russian media and Chinese tech firms for cyber activities.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric and tougher migration policies are gaining momentum across Europe as immigration rises on the political agenda and right-wing parties increase their influence, according to an Associated Press report. In the U.K. and several European countries, overt hostility toward immigrants and ethnic minorities has become more visible. Tens of thousands marched in London this year chanting anti-immigrant slogans, while senior politicians made controversial remarks about race and called for deportations of long-term residents born abroad. Right-wing parties advocating mass deportations and portraying immigration as a threat to national identity are polling strongly, including Reform U.K., Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and France’s National Rally. Analysts say rhetoric once confined to the political fringe is now central to mainstream debate. Experts link the growing polarization to economic stagnation since the 2008 financial crisis, the impact of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the amplifying role of social media. Immigration has increased over the past decade, driven partly by people fleeing wars in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine, though asylum-seekers make up a small share of overall migration. Racist language and hate crimes are also rising. Police in England and Wales recorded more than 115,000 hate crimes in the year to March 2025, a 2% increase. Lawmakers and minority politicians report escalating online abuse and threats. Violent anti-immigrant protests have also occurred in Ireland, the Netherlands and the U.K., often targeting housing for asylum-seekers. Mainstream parties, while condemning racism, are adopting tougher migration stances. Britain’s Labour government has announced measures to make permanent settlement harder, while several European states are pushing to ease deportations and weaken migrant protections. Human rights advocates warn this risks normalizing increasingly extreme policies. Some centrist leaders have drawn criticism for echoing far-right language, fueling concerns that divisive rhetoric deepens social fractures. Analysts argue political leaders must consider how their words shape public attitudes, though many fear confrontational language is increasingly seen as electorally effective across Europe.

The European Union on Friday moved to freeze Russian assets in Europe indefinitely, blocking any attempt by Hungary and Slovakia to prevent their use in support of Ukraine. Invoking a special economic emergency mechanism, the EU decided that the assets will remain immobilized until Russia ends its war against Ukraine and pays compensation for the damage caused during nearly four years of conflict. The decision bypasses the usual six-month renewal of sanctions, which requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states. EU Council President António Costa said European leaders had pledged in October to keep Russian assets frozen until Moscow halts its aggression and provides compensation, adding that the bloc has now fulfilled that promise. He said the next step would be finalizing plans at a Dec. 18 summit to use the funds to help meet Ukraine’s financial and military needs in 2026–27. Around 210 billion euros ($247 billion) in Russian assets are frozen in Europe, most of them held at Belgium-based clearing house Euroclear. The move also prevents the funds from being used in any peace negotiations without EU consent. Hungary and Slovakia, both led by governments more sympathetic to Moscow, oppose further aid to Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the decision, claiming it undermines the rule of law and accusing EU leaders of overstepping legal boundaries to prolong a war he said cannot be won. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned that using the assets could undermine U.S. peace efforts. Russia’s Central Bank said it has filed a lawsuit in Moscow against Euroclear, calling the EU’s actions illegal and contrary to international law. EU officials dismissed the legal challenge, saying the decision is sound and that Russia is likely to pursue further court actions to obstruct EU policy. The decision came amid rising tensions with Moscow, hours after Germany summoned the Russian ambassador over allegations of sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference.

Hundreds of thousands of workers across Italy went on a 24-hour national strike on Friday, disrupting public transport, schools, healthcare, and other key services to protest the government’s draft budget for 2026. The strike was organised by Italy’s largest trade union, the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), opposing the 18-billion-euro (21.1 billion U.S. dollars) budget package approved by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet in mid-October. The draft budget still requires parliamentary approval and may be amended before the end of the year. Public sector operations, including education, healthcare, local transport, and postal services, were partially halted, and several private companies were also affected. Organisers reported around 500,000 people joined demonstrations nationwide, according to the ANSA news agency. Major rallies took place in Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Florence. In Florence, CGIL leader Maurizio Landini addressed an estimated crowd of 100,000, urging the government to adopt stronger fiscal measures to support working-class families, pensioners, and youth, and to improve access to affordable housing and public transport. The draft budget is currently under review by the Senate’s finance committee and will later be debated and voted on by both chambers of parliament.  

US special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Germany this weekend to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders for high-level discussions on ending the war in Ukraine. Witkoff, leading the White House’s mediation efforts between Kyiv and Moscow, is set to discuss the latest draft of a proposed peace agreement in Berlin. The Trump administration aims to finalise a deal by Christmas and has held multiple rounds of talks with Ukrainian and Russian representatives, though a breakthrough has yet to emerge. According to reports, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are expected to join the discussions. The talks come days after Ukraine submitted its revised 20-point peace plan to the US, building on proposals first circulated in late November. The plan remains contentious, particularly regarding eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv refuses to cede territory occupied by Russia, while Moscow insists on taking full control of the Donbas region unless Ukraine withdraws. Zelenskyy has expressed scepticism over the White House proposal, which suggests Ukraine pull back its forces and convert the area into a “special economic zone.” He questioned the plan’s ability to prevent Russian incursions. European allies have described the US-led talks as productive, noting improvements to an initial plan widely seen as favouring Russia. However, reports indicate growing frustration from Trump over the pace of negotiations with Zelenskyy and European partners. As diplomatic efforts continue, Europe is also focused on supporting Ukraine financially and militarily in the event of a peace deal. The Ukrainian government faces a funding gap of €135.7 billion over the next two years, while the EU has agreed to freeze €210 billion worth of Russian assets, potentially to be loaned back to Kyiv. The latest peace draft reportedly includes provisions for Ukraine to join the European Union by January 2027, accelerating its membership process, although it remains unclear whether Washington has endorsed this element.   With inputs from BBC

The European Union is expected on Friday to lock up Russia’s assets held in Europe until it gives up its war in Ukraine and compensates its neighbor for the heavy damage that it has inflicted for almost four years. The move is an important step that would allow EU leaders to work out at a summit next week how to use the tens of billions of euros in Russian Central Bank assets to underwrite a huge loan to help Ukraine meet its financial and military needs over the next two years. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in Europe – accused the European Commission, which prepared the decision, “of systematically raping European law.” A total of 210 billion euros ($247 billion) in Russian assets are frozen in Europe. The vast majority of the funds — around 193 billion euros ($225 billion) at the end of September — are held in Euroclear, a Belgian financial clearing house. The money was frozen under sanctions that the EU imposed on Russia over the war it launched on Feb. 24, 2022, but these sanctions must be renewed every six months, and all 27 member countries must approve them for that to happen. Hungary and Slovakia oppose providing more support to Ukraine. Friday’s expected decision, which is based on EU treaty rules allowing the bloc to protect its economic interests in certain emergency situations, would prevent them from blocking the sanctions rollover and make it easier to use the assets. Orbán said on social media that it means that “the rule of law in the European Union comes to an end, and Europe’s leaders are placing themselves above the rules.” “The European Commission is systematically raping European law. It is doing this in order to continue the war in Ukraine, a war that clearly isn’t winnable,” he wrote. He said that Hungary “will do everything in its power to restore a lawful order.” In a letter to European Council President António Costa, who will chair the summit starting on Dec. 18, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that he would refuse to back any move that “would include covering Ukraine’s military expenses for the coming years.” He warned “that the use of frozen Russian assets could directly jeopardize U.S. peace efforts, which directly count on the use of these resources for the reconstruction of Ukraine.” But the commission argues that the war has imposed heavy costs by hiking energy prices and stunting economic growth in the EU, which has already provided nearly 200 billion euros ($235 billion) in support to Ukraine. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the expected move as “a major decision that will undoubtedly influence the course of the war and accelerate peace.” “Because Europeans do not want to let anyone else decide for them ... we have decided to lock those sums (assets) for as long as necessary,” Barrot said on France Info news broadcaster. The decision would also prevent the assets from being used in any way without European approval. A 28-point peace plan drafted by U.S. and Russian envoys stipulated that the EU would release the frozen assets for use by Ukraine, Russia and the United States. That plan was rejected by Ukraine and its backers in Europe. Belgium, where Euroclear is based, is opposed to the “reparations loan” plan. It says that the plan “entails consequential economic, financial and legal risks,” and has called on other EU countries to share the risk. Russia’s Central Bank, meanwhile, said on Friday that it has filed a lawsuit in Moscow against Euroclear for damages it says were caused when Moscow was barred from managing the assets. Euroclear declined to comment. In a separate statement, the Central Bank also described wider EU plans to use Russian assets to aid Ukraine as “illegal, contrary to international law,” arguing that they violated “the principles of sovereign immunity of assets.”