Vladimir Putin said Russia has always been “ready for talks” to end the “tragedy” of war in Ukraine. Speaking at the virtual G20 meeting, the Russian president gave his most pacific comments yet since invading Ukraine, but then blamed Kyiv for no peace talks.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s troops faced “difficult” defensive operations on parts of the eastern front, as bitter winter cold settles in. But the president added forces in the south were still conducting offensive actions.
The death toll from a Russian strike on a Ukrainian hospital in Selydove rose to three people. After Tuesday’s attack, rescuers spent the night clearing rubble and discovered further casualties.
The Russian foreign ministry said relations with the US were extremely thin and risked being torn at any moment. Spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters Washington’s actions could lead to “unpredictable consequences.”
Finland prime minister Petteri Orpo said the country will shut three border crossings after Helsinki accused the Kremlin of pushing hundreds of asylum seekers to the border in recent weeks. It leaves just one crossing open in its 1,340km border with Russia, also the Nato and EU border.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, is threatening to block Ukraine’s candidacy for membership of the EU. European leaders will meet on 14 and 15 December to discuss Ukraine’s EU bid.
The European Council president, Charles Michel, said he expected a “difficult” meeting next month about Ukraine joining the EU. He promised to do “everything in my power” to make a decision in December.
The EU has approved a further €1.5bn (£1.3bn) payment in macro financial assistance to Ukraine. It is the tenth payment made as part of an €18bn programme to keep the Ukrainian economy moving.
Russia’s defence ministry said a group of Russian journalists had come under drone attack from Ukrainian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region. It said one reporter received medical treatment but no one was life-threateningly injured.
A Russian independent politician was summoned to a local prosecutor’s office after declaring her intention to run in next year’s presidential election. She had been critical of the regime.
The Kremlin said there were “no revisions” to its policy of pardoning prisoners in exchange for fighting in Ukraine. It followed local media reports of a Russian “satanist” killer who was released.
The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 14 Shahed drones launched by Russian forces overnight. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.
The US voiced concern that Iran may provide Russia with ballistic missiles for use in its war against Ukraine. The national security council spokesperson, John Kirby, said the development would probably be disastrous for the Ukrainian people.
The UN human rights office said more than 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion. It expects the real toll is significantly higher.
