Trond Toppe

[Donald Tusk @donaldtusk]

Poland, Baltic states, now Romania. More and more Russian provocations. Yesterday the former president @MedvedevRussiaE said that the peaceful sleep of the EU citizens is over. Everyone in NATO should finally start taking these facts and words seriously.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

A rescue operation is currently underway in Kyiv at the site of a Russian drone strike on a nine-story residential building – an entire section of the building has been completely destroyed. Dozens of people have been rescued. Tragically, one person has been killed. My condolences to their family and loved ones. People may still be trapped under the rubble.

Overnight, the Russians launched more than 670 attack drones and 56 missiles against Ukraine. Ballistic, aeroballistic, and cruise missiles were used in the strikes. The main target of this attack was Kyiv. There is damage at twenty locations across the city – ordinary residential buildings, a school, a veterinary clinic, and other purely civilian infrastructure. Destruction has also been reported in the Kyiv region, while similar terrorist strikes targeted energy infrastructure in Kremenchuk, as well as port and residential areas in Chornomorsk.

In total, since midnight yesterday, Russia has used more than 1,560 drones against our cities and communities. These are definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end. It is important that partners do not remain silent about this strike. And it is equally important to continue supporting the protection of our skies. The PURL initiative is needed so that Ukraine can defend itself against ballistic strikes like these. And likewise, in the interests of everyone seeking peace, pressure on Russia must continue. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine.

[Brad Bowman @Brad_L_Bowman]

The level of troops withdrawing certainly could be worse, but this is yet another self-inflicted wound by Washington to U.S. national security interests.

Washington is essentially saying to Germany I am not happy with what you didn't do in the Middle East, so I am going to hurt myself in Europe and help Putin.

Washington note to self: As they say, if you want someone with you at landing, try having them with you at takeoff.

For those not fans of metaphors, here's something more clear for Washington:

If you rudely and unnecessarily insult Europe in your National Security Strategy, try to steal Greenland from an ally whose solders fought and died with Americans in Afghanistan, appease the invader and insult the invaded in Ukraine, and fail to consult with European allies before a major war with Iran with massive economic consequences... then don't be surprised if they are little annoyed.

This is a moment for statesmanship, not foreign policy governed by over-personalized mercurial emotion rather than a calm and objective assessment of American national security interests.

America is safer and stronger because of our military posture in Germany.

Putin is happy today. Americans should be concerned.

https://t.co/unGT54XV3f

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Based on the results from April, our long-range sanctions have reached a new level across three components: reducing Russia’s oil revenues, as well as the range and intensity of sanctions. It is important that not only is the target itself reached, as defined by the operational objective, but that the downtime of the target is increased or, at the very least, its operations are significantly reduced.

According to the most conservative estimates, since the beginning of the year, the aggressor state has lost at least $7 billion solely as a direct result of our precise sanctions against Russia’s oil industry and refining sector – due to direct hits, downtime, and delays in shipments.

I am grateful to all our warriors of the Defense Forces of Ukraine who, together with the Security Service of Ukraine and our intelligence agencies, are delivering these results. We will scale up our long-range systems capabilities. Decisions are being prepared.

Glory to Ukraine!

[Michael MacKay @mhmck]

Russian asset Trump has removed all military assistance to Ukraine from the $1.5 trillion U.S. military budget. Ukraine is the only fighting defender of the West against russian armed aggression.

Trump gets his orders from the Kremlin and obeys without question. He is a traitor.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

One of the most cynical Russian war crimes is the systematic, calculated transfer of Ukrainian children, scattering them across Russia, concealing their fate, “reprogramming” their culture, and continuously, shamelessly subjecting them to militarization. It is vitally important to bring our children back home from there. Before the Russians break them. And every initiative, every activity, every effort that helps achieve this also helps Ukraine. I said this while addressing participants of the Civil Society and Expert Day.

Thanks to our Bring Kids Back UA initiative, we have secured 2,126 returns, and we will continue this work. We have engaged strong international mediators to help bring the children home.

I am grateful to every country that has joined our Coalition for the Return of Children. I want to thank every leader of the countries contributing to the effort, and every First Lady of countries that care and are concerned about the fate of abducted children. I thank our Bring Kids Back team. I am grateful to all diplomats, international organizations, and journalists who maintain focus on the rescue of children.

[Michael McFaul @McFaul]

Deny Ukraine membership in NATO, cut aid to Ukraine, promise Putin Donbas, praise Putin after he helps Iran, and now consider pulling troops out of Germany. How many gifts can Trump give Putin?

[Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @AdamKinzinger]

Trump, after having a 90 min phone call with Putin, puts out a truth social that he is considering withdrawing all troops from Germany. Something sinister is going on between them. It’s time for “concerned” Republicans to speak out

[Bridget Brink @AmbBridgetBrink]

I resigned as U.S. Ambassador Ukraine when Trump kept siding with Putin over our democratic partner. Now, my successor is doing the same.

I knew I had to speak out and run for office because siding with dictators is just not who we are.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Today, Sweden has announced its largest defense assistance package for Ukraine — nearly $1.4 billion. This will significantly strengthen our soldiers on the battlefield and help protect our skies from wicked Russian air attacks on critical infrastructure.

Sweden is among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine’s defense capabilities, and this package builds on our historic agreement on Gripen aircraft and broader defense cooperation.

Thank you to @SwedishPM, @PlJonson, the Government, and the people of Sweden for this meaningful contribution to the defense of life.

[Piers Morgan @piersmorgan]

I sincerely hope President @realDonaldTrump didn’t realise this 60-second clip he reposted last night didn’t end with the vile racist imagery of the Obamas as apes. He should delete it immediately.

[Bernie Sanders @BernieSanders]

Trump posted a disgustingly racist video depicting the Obamas as apes.

Are my Republican colleagues going to continue to bend the knee to a racist, authoritarian president who wants the American people to bow down before him?

[Governor Newsom Press Office @GovPressOffice]

Disgusting behavior by the President.

Every single Republican must denounce this. Now.

[Alex Taylor @AlexTaylorNews]

He's taken it down

After 12 hours - after Leavitt shamefully, shame on her - defended it

It's too late

He's just a vile human being

[Democratic Wins Media @DemocraticWins]

BREAKING: After Donald Trump said Ukraine was the barrier to peace, President Zelenskyy just released this incredible rebuke. Make sure every American sees this and know Russia is to blame for the war.

[Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @AdamKinzinger]

Of
Course. But you will see no apology or correction by Trump or any number of the maga blue checks who echoed it

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

RETWEET if you stand with President Zelenskyy against Putin! 🇺🇦

[Tom Nichols @RadioFreeTom]

“Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”

Trump actually said this. This might be one of the stupidest things he’s ever said and a true Hall of Fame entry.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

As for the strikes. When the Germans and the Americans proposed a Christmas ceasefire, there was nothing new in the fact that the Russians immediately jumped in and said: no, we do not want anything like that. The problem is that when Russia says there will be no Christmas ceasefire, that is, in principle, always what they say – they deliberately underscore such statements. After these signals from them, I instructed our intelligence services to significantly step up their work and get a clear picture of where we stand.

We understand that precisely on these days they may – this is in their nature – carry out massive strikes on Christmas. And today we had a Staff meeting on this, and the number one issue was air defense: the protection of our cities, villages, and communities, especially on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th. This needs to be paid attention to. The military must pay attention directly, ensure protection as much as they can. Everything is very difficult, because there is, unfortunately, a shortage of air defense systems. And people also need to pay attention – serious attention – during these days, because these “comrades” may launch such strikes – there is nothing sacred for them.

As for our air defense systems. Ukraine is working on this. Here, everything depends on the technical capabilities of our specialists and how quickly they will be able to do this. But air defense systems cannot be created instantly. We are close to the relevant results. We want the war to end, and we will continue to strengthen ourselves. We are working on a strong contract with the Americans for dozens – several dozen – Patriot systems, to be procured through various programs. All of this work is ongoing, and I am confident there will be results.