Russian invasion The world's response

Russia wins in CAS – allowed to compete in Winter Olympics

Russian and Belarusian skiers win in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), several media outlets report.

The decision means that Russian cross-country skiers, snowboarders and ski jumpers can participate in the World Cup and the 2026 Milan Olympics as neutral athletes.

This is a victory for Russian and Belarusian winter athletes, who have been banned from international competitions for four years as a consequence of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Sources: Italy postpones decision on continued aid

The Italian government will postpone a decision on continued aid to Ukraine until after the end of the year, sources told Reuters. The news agency writes that cracks are starting to appear in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition on the issue of Ukraine.

Meloni himself has promised to support Ukraine wholeheartedly, but Matteo Salvini, leader of the Lega party, has questioned the support.

Italy has sent twelve military aid packages to Ukraine and the government has been able to act without parliamentary approval. However, that rule expires at the end of the year and it could take up to two months before parliament approves an extension.

Sweden sends billions in aid to Ukraine ahead of winter

Sweden is sending a new aid package worth just over 1.1 billion kronor to Ukraine, the government announces. The aid will go to meet urgent needs ahead of winter and strengthen resilience for future winters.

Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa (M) says that Ukraine could face the worst winter since 2022.

- At the same time as the temperature drops, Russia has intensified its attacks on civilian infrastructure. It is leaving millions of Ukrainians without access to electricity, heating and water, he says.

Russian invasion  Putin's Russia
Zara clothes are sold again in Russian stores

Zara clothes are sold again in Russia, reports the Financial Times. This is despite the fact that the Spanish owner Inditex has stated that the company has left the country and does not plan to return.

The garments are sold in 19 stores operated by the Moscow-based chain Tvoe.

Sales resumed in September, two months after Inditex CEO Óscar García Maceiras told the newspaper that it was “absolutely not” the time to return to Russia.