Ukraine-Russia war latest: EU approves ban on buying Russian gas in blow to Putin ahead of more peace talks
Hungary and Slovakia opposed the ban, and Budapest says it will take it to the European Court of Justice
European Union countries have given final approval for a ban on Russian gas imports by late 2027, meaning the proposal can now become continental law.
Approved at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, the policy will make it legally-binding for members of the bloc to cut ties with its former top gas supplier.
But the proposal met opposition from Slovakia and Hungary, the latter threatening to take the case to the European Court of Justice. Hungary relies heavily on Russian oil, importing around 90 per cent of its natural gas from Russia.
It will come as a financial blow to Moscow, ahead of further trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US which White House officials expect to continue this week.
Two-day talks held in Abu Dhabi last week were dubbed “constructive” by Kyiv, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a US security agreement for Ukraine was “100 per cent ready” to be signed.
A US official told reporters on Saturday that “a lot of progress” had been made and discussions would continue this Sunday (1 February).
Mr Zelensky also said a US-Ukrainian document on security guarantees is “100 per cent ready”, and that Kyiv is waiting for a time and date to sign it.
US security agreement for Ukraine '100% ready' to be signed, says Zelensky
Investment for Ukraine's Dobra lithium deposit could surpass £500m, says Kyiv
The initial investment for the development of Ukraine's Dobra lithium deposit could amount to $700 million, (£511m) economy minister Oleksiy Sobolev told broadcaster Deutsche Welle in an interview cited on the ministry website.
"There is currently no agreement. Its draft will be developed and agreed upon by the parties within one year, in accordance with Ukrainian law,” Mr Sobolev added in the comments quoted on the ministry website.
“But we plan to conclude an agreement within a few months.”
Earlier this month, Ukraine awarded development rights for the deposit to a US-backed consortium, seeking to unlock one of the country’s largest lithium resources.
Zelensky says military issues were primary topic at trilateral talks
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said military issues were the primary topic of discussion at trilateral talks with the US and Russia over the weekend, but that political issues were also discussed.
“The meetings covered a range of important issues – primarily military, essential to bringing the war to an end,” he wrote on X.
“Complex political matters that remain unresolved were also discussed. The key positions of all parties were analyzed.
"Preparations are now underway for new trilateral meetings this week," he added.
Ukraine's energy minister welcomes EU's ban on Russia gas imports
Ukraine's energy minister Denys Shmyhal welcomed the EU's 2027 ban on Russian gas imports, saying in a statement on Monday that independence from Russian energy "is, above all, about a safe and strong Europe."
He said that “penalties for violations range from EUR 2.5 million (£2.2m) for individuals to EUR 40 million (£34.7m) for companies. The regulation will enter into force in early February.
France detains captain of suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker seized in Mediterranean
The captain of a tanker intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by the French navy on suspicion of shipping oil in violation of sanctions against Russia was reported Sunday as being held in custody for questioning.
The ship’s Indian captain was handed to judicial authorities following the diversion of the oil tanker, Grinch, and its arrival at anchorage in the Gulf of Fos-sur-Mer, French media reported, citing a statement by the Marseille prosecutor’s office.
The Ici Provence radio broadcaster reported that the crew, also of Indian nationality, was being kept on board. A preliminary investigation was opened on charges of failure to fly a flag.
Read more here:
France detains captain of suspected Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker seized in Mediterranean
In pictures: Ukraine receives hundreds of generators from Poland amid power cuts
Kremlin says territory of fundamental importance to Russia
We’ve heard from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who has said that the territorial issue remains of fundamental importance to Russia in peace talks with the US and Ukraine.
State news agency RIA cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peksov as saying that Moscow positively assesses what he called "constructive talks" on Ukraine.
Peskov confirmed that the three-way talks would continue.
UNESCO World Heritage site damaged in Russian assault
Buildings among the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were damaged during a Russian missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, according to the reserve’s director general.
Maksym Ostapenko told Interfax Ukraine that the building had been damaged due to military action “for the first time since World War II”.
“Each time, Moscow has been behind this – as in 1918; as when, on orders from Moscow, the Dormition Cathedral was blown up in 1941; and now, again on orders from Moscow, Shahed drones and missiles are flying against Kyiv and causing damage, including now to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,” Mr Ostapenko said.
The blast shattered some windows and doors, with fragments of plasterwork damaged in several places, he said.
Kremlin demands Ukraine cede Donbas region
The Kremlin has insisted that Ukraine will cede all of the Donbas region, according to statements in Russian state media on Monday.
“It's no secret that this is our consistent position, the position of our president, that the territorial issue, which is part of the Anchorage formula, is of fundamental importance to the Russian side,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov said trilaterial discussions between Russia, Ukraine and the US had been “constructive” but reiterated the importance of territory to a successful agreement.
The issue has been a key sticking point throughout discussions that have taken place over the last few weeks.
Ukraine peace talks continue this week – but Russia has one major demand
Trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US are expected to continue this week, following initial "constructive" discussions held in Abu Dhabi.
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