ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 13, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 13, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Western Sanctions on Russia: Recent Developments
• Presidents of Venezuela and Guyana to meet over disputed territory on December 14
• Finland to Open Two Border Crossings With Russia

Western Sanctions on Russia: Recent Developments

Between December 11 - 12, 2023, several notable developments regarding Western sanctions on Russia occurred. On December 11, the US House of Representatives passed legislation that would ban the import of enriched Russian uranium. The bill is largely expected to also pass the Senate. Russia is currently the largest supplier of enriched uranium to the United States, amounting to imports worth about USD 1 billion. Given Russia's status as a major supplier of enriched uranium, the legislation provides for a waiver on imports until January 2028. This mechanism may weaken initial implementation; however the legislation still represents a strong rebuke of Russian uranium imports.

Presidents of Venezuela and Guyana to Meet Over Disputed Territory on December 14

On December 14, 2023, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will meet with his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, in the neutral country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to discuss control of the disputed Essequibo territory. Venezuela has long claimed the western Guyanese area of Essequibo, which borders Venezuela. However, tensions have increased since 2015, when offshore oil deposits were discovered, and have since turned Guyana into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Finland to Open Two Border Crossings With Russia

On December 12, 2023, Finland announced it will reopen the Vaalimaa and Niirala border crossings with Russia effective December 14. The Finnish government warned it would again close these crossings if a large number of migrants continued arriving at the border. Finland had previously closed its eastern border in November after it accused Russia of sending migrants to the border to create an artificial migrant crisis.