Here's an update from our news desk:
Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that NATO's possible expansion to the east would force Russia to take "adequate" measures in response.
Russia's Interfax news agency quoted spokesman, Aleksandr Lukashevich, as saying on December 25 that Ukraine's "European-Atlantic tilt" would not solve Kyiv’s social and economic problems.
Lukashevich also said Ukraine's course towards NATO would hamper Moscow-Kyiv cooperation in many areas.
On December 23, Ukraine's parliament voted to abandon the country's neutral "non-bloc" status and set a course for NATO membership.
That move was immediately denounced by Russia as "unfriendly."
Meanwhile, talks aimed at ensuring a stable cease-fire between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists ended on December 24, with no indication of progress or when the next round of negotiations might take place.
(Interfax, Reuters)
For some reason, many tweeters are a bit skeptical about using a free USB stick from the Russian government:
Here is a map of the latest situation in the Donbas combat zone, as issued by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (click image to enlarge):