EU Begins Accession Talks with Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

Hungary Vetoes Aid Package, US Congress Fails to Agree on Aid, as Ukraine Increases Domestic Weapons Production

Overview

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed former President Donald Trump's claim that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, calling such a swift resolution 'too complicated'.
The European Union has agreed to start accession talks with Ukraine, despite a veto by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on a large aid package for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been making in-person appeals for aid as his country continues to fight against the Russian invasion.
The US Congress left for the holidays without a deal to send some $61 billion to Ukraine, with conservative GOP lawmakers opposing the aid.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has set increasing domestic weapons production as a goal for 2024.