**EU Increases Aid to Ukraine**
The European Union has allocated an additional 140 million euros ($143 million) in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. This brings the total aid provided by the EU since 2022 to over 1.1 billion euros ($1.12 billion).
The money will go towards emergency assistance, including food, shelter, clean water, healthcare, and winter protection, for vulnerable populations in eastern and southern Ukraine.
**Supporting Refugees**
In addition, the EU will provide 8 million euros ($8.16 million) to Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees and their host communities.
This aid comes as European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib visits Ukraine. She said: “As Russia continues its cruelty in the dead of winter, the EU is intensifying its support to keep the lights on and homes warm.”
**Ukraine’s Path to EU Membership**
Ukraine applied for EU membership days after Russia launched its full-scale war in February 2022. The country received candidate status in June of that year and officially began accession negotiations with the EU in June 2024.
EU officials believe Ukraine can join the European Union by 2030.
**Other Developments**
* Ukraine has approved a measure allowing foreign companies to participate in modernizing military equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
* Russian President Vladimir Putin will sign a strategic partnership agreement with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian during the latter’s official visit to Russia on Jan. 17.
* Russia’s FSB has designated an independent media outlet, Komi Daily, as a “terrorist organization”.
* A Ukrainian mopping-up group encountered one surviving North Korean fighter who had set an unsuccessful trap and detonated a grenade to avoid capture.
**Global Response**
The international community is watching the situation in Ukraine closely. The US has imposed new sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
