A new bill restoring the independence of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) was submitted to parliament. Both agencies participated in drafting the legislation and urged its swift passage to prevent threats to ongoing criminal proceedings. The EU welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's initiative, emphasizing that continued financial aid is contingent upon progress in judicial reform and democratic governance. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Keir Starmer, also supported the move.

Tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine persisted during a meeting between EU officials and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The EU expressed concerns about China's role in supporting Russia's war economy, while Xi urged the EU to address differences without blaming China.

Meanwhile, Russia launched attacks in several Ukrainian regions, including Kharkiv and Cherkasy, resulting in casualties. In Kharkiv, 33 people were wounded, including children. The US approved $330 million in military aid to Ukraine, including funding for maintaining M109 howitzers and air defenses. Separately, reports indicate an Indian company shipped $1.4 million worth of HMX explosives to Russia in December 2024, despite potential US sanctions. The US government has identified HMX as critical to Russia's war effort, while India maintains its exports comply with non-proliferation obligations.

Impact Statement: The restoration of Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies' independence is a positive step for Ukraine's democratic governance and its relationship with the EU. However, the ongoing war and reports of continued arms supply to Russia create significant challenges.