Briefs | Spain’s king addresses Catalonia in Christmas speech

King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve address to call on Catalonia’s newly elected parliament to renounce further moves toward secession from Spain. “The way forward cannot once again lead to confrontation or exclusion that, as we now know, only generates discord, uncertainty, anguish,” the Spanish monarch said in a televised speech. The king gave the address four days after regional parliamentary elections resulted in separatist parties being voted back into power. Spain’s prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, had dissolved the previous parliament after it voted in October to declare Catalonia an independent republic, but saw his hopes dashed that separatists would not regain a majority of seats.

British navy escorts Russian warship

British officials say the Royal Navy has escorted a Russian warship through the North Sea near U.K. waters. The Russian ship was also shadowed by a navy helicopter as it transited through what British officials called “areas of national interest” on Christmas Day. The navy says there has been a recent surge in Russian vessels traveling near U.K. waters. Officials say that on Christmas Eve, a navy vessel was used to escort a Russian intelligence-gathering ship through the North Sea and English Channel. Defense Secretary Gavin William said Britain wouldn’t tolerate aggression. British officials warn that Russian ships may cut undersea internet cables.

Lethal weapons bound for Ukraine

The Trump administration has approved a plan to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine, a long-awaited move that deepens America’s involvement in the military conflict and may further strain relations with Russia. Ukraine has long sought to boost its defenses against Russian-backed separatists armed with tanks that have rolled through eastern Ukraine during violence that has killed more than 10,000 since 2014. Previously, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with support equipment and training, and has let private companies sell some small arms like rifles. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said the U.S. decision will only make the conflict more deadly and suggested that Russia could be forced to respond.