By America Hernandez and Christoph Steitz PARIS/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Austrian energy company OMV's Romanian business has struck a deal to supply Uniper with gas from its Black Sea project from 2027, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters,

For years, Germany has been working to elevate its status within the United Nations. However, Russia has now sent a clear signal that is not in Berlin's favor. Moscow has categorically rejected Germany's request for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Washington and Berlin pledged more aid for Ukraine as allies of the embattled nation gathered with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky at the US military's Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday to discuss aid.

Ukraine's leader says partners sending ground troops would help "force Russia into peace," as America's European allies ponder Trump's next move.

The U.S. is expected to announce $500 million in military aid for Ukraine on Thursday at a final gathering of President Joe Biden's weapons pledging conferences, meetings Kyiv says have been critical to its defense against Russia.

Ukrainian transit gas deal to Europe ended on Jan. 1. For now, the most acute effects are being felt in a region called Transnistria, on the eastern edge of Moldova.

Mystery still surrounds the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines linking Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea in the fall of 2022, while an undersea cable linking Sweden to Estonia was damaged in October 2023. A gas pipeline connecting Estonia to Finland was also damaged in the same month, later blamed on a Chinese ship dragging its anchor.

Three men have been charged with spying on U.S. military bases for Russia and plotting attacks on American personnel in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine, German prosecutors said.

Germany's air defense systems struggle against Russia's Oreshnik missile, raising concerns for NATO and global security. Explore the implications.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announces plan to move 2 Patriot air defense systems, 200 soldiers to Poland within next few weeks for expected 6 months - Anadolu Ajansı

Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said earlier that "there are increasing indications that Chancellor Scholz will travel to Moscow and meet Putin before Feb.

The US has committed over US$63.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia's invasion. Read more at straitstimes.com.