Eurotopics.net

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Christmas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, has refused to give the order for his troops to stop firing, saying that the Russians just want to use Christmas as a pretext to stop the Ukrainian advance in Donbass. The press is also suspicious.

France has agreed to supply Ukraine with AMX-10 RC light battle tanks, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the deployment of Marder infantry fighting vehicles and the US plans to send Bradley tanks. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky sees these moves as a new level of support in the country's struggle against Russia. Commentators welcome these decisions but also call for more.

After eleven rounds of voting, the US House of Representatives is still without a speaker because of a blockade by 20 Republicans who view their party's candidate Kevin McCarthy as too moderate. Even a call by former President Donald Trump to vote for McCarthy failed to convince the "Never Kevins".

Even after six rounds of voting, the US House of Representatives still has no speaker. This is the direct result of a blockade by 20 Republicans who see their party's candidate, Kevin McCarthy, as too moderate. Even a call by former President Donald Trump to vote for McCarthy failed to convince the "Never Kevins". Commentators are concerned about the way this small group of radicals is influencing US politics.