Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has rejected the latest amendments to a Donald Trump-backed peace plan – despite admitting that he hasn't actually read them.
Yuri Ushakov, who played a key role in drafting the original version of the plan that was widely dismissed as being too pro-Russia, also played down the prospect of a three-way summit between the US, Moscow and Kyiv
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
His remarks came after Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he held "productive and constructive" talks in Florida over the weekend with Ukrainian and European negotiators.
"Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity.
“Ukraine remains fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace,” Trump’s envoy added.
Angry Russians turn on Putin over poverty and stagnant economy during marathon press conference
Russia attempts to break through Sumy frontline and abducts 50 civilians from border villages
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Two Indian students ‘forcibly recruited’ into Russian army die in Ukraine
Key Points
- Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
- Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
- Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia's Krasnodar
- Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow, investigators say
- ‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
- What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa
03:48 , Arpan RaiRussian forces have increased their attacks on Ukraine’s Black Sea port in Odesa, causing major power outages and threatening maritime infrastructure in the region.
Late on Monday night, Russian forces struck the port, and damaged port facilities and a ship, the regional governor said, confirming the second attack on the region in less than 24 hours.
Governor Oleh Kiper said emergency crews were tackling the aftermath of the latest attack but provided no further details. He said no casualties were reported.
An earlier overnight attack hit port and energy infrastructure in the region, causing a fire at a major port and disrupting electricity supplies to tens of thousands of people.
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russia was carrying out "systematic" attacks on Odesa.
"Russia is attempting to disrupt maritime logistics by launching systematic attacks on port and energy infrastructure," he said.
In the past few weeks, Russia has increased attacks on Odesa port and the surrounding region, trying to limit Ukraine's access to the Black Sea and disrupt critical logistics routes to the border with Moldova, Ukrainian officials said.
Zelensky says progress in US-led peace talks is 'quite solid'
03:07 , Arpan RaiThe current draft of a US proposal for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meets many of Kyiv's demands, Volodymyr Zelensky said, calling it “quite solid”.
“Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage," the Ukrainian leader said after the latest round of talks with US officials, who are trying to steer the neighbouring countries toward compromises.
Zelensky suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.
“There are some things we are probably not ready for, and I'm sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either," Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv yesterday.
US president Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement, but the negotiations have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv.
Watch: Russian general killed by bomb under his car in Moscow
02:00 , Bryony GoochRussia developing weapon to hit Musk’s Starlink, Nato suspects
01:01 , Bryony Gooch
Russia developing weapon to hit Musk’s Starlink satellites, Nato suspects
Zelensky says progress in US-led peace talks 'quite solid'
00:00 , Bryony GoochInitial drafts of US proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv's demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
But he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.
"Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage," the Ukrainian leader said of recent talks with US officials who are trying to steer the neighbouring countries toward compromises.
"There are some things we are probably not ready for, and I'm sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either," Mr Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv.
Italian prosecutors move to drop probe into suspected Russian drone flyovers
Monday 22 December 2025 23:00 , James ReynoldsItalian prosecutors investigating suspected Russian drone flights over an EU space research centre have concluded their suspicions were unfounded and have requested the case be dropped, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Milan prosecutors found that 21 alleged overflights between March and May 2025 were actually caused by interference from a private GSM phone signal booster near the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, near Italy's Lake Maggiore.
Russian general killed by bomb planted under his car in Moscow
Monday 22 December 2025 22:00 , James ReynoldsA senior Russian official was killed when a car blew up in Moscow on Monday.
Investigators have identified the victim as Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov.
He was a 56-year-old veteran of Russia’s 21st-century military campaigns, having served in Chechnya, Syria and most recently Ukraine.
In Ukraine he was responsible for the military’s combat training and readiness. Vladimir Putin was reportedly told immediately of the death of such a senior official.
Tass reports that Sarvarov was decorated with the Order of Courage, the Medal of Suvorov, the Order of Merit for Services to the Fatherland (I and II Class), and the Order of Military Merit.
Read the full story:
Russian general killed by bomb planted under his car in Moscow
Zelensky reveals 'solid and dignified' 20 point plan has been drafted
Monday 22 December 2025 21:00 , Bryony GoochKyiv’s negotiating team is returning from Miami after initial drafts have been detailed over an “imperfect” 20 point plan for freedom, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“There are 20 points of the plan,” he explained on X. “Not everything is perfect so far, but this plan is in place. There are security guarantees - between us, the Europeans, and the United States. A framework paper. There is a separate document between us and the United States – bilateral security guarantees.
“This is what we see: they must be reviewed by the U.S. Congress, with certain details and annexes remaining classified. As of today, this all looks quite solid and dignified. For now, however, these are working drafts prepared by our military. Importantly, they have been developed by us and by the United States of America.
“This indicates that we are very close to a real outcome. We are also developing the first draft of the agreement on Ukraine’s recovery. Economic strategy. The core of all documents is ready. The core one. There are certain things we are not prepared to accept. And there are things – of that I am sure – that the Russians are not prepared to accept either.
“The Americans are currently continuing negotiations with Russian representatives. They will hold talks, and then we will receive feedback from them. From our side, they have received all the information.”
Our negotiating team is now returning from Miami. They will arrive at night, and I will have the details in the morning. In my view, everything possible that we needed to do for the initial drafts had already been done. There are 20 points of the plan. Not everything is perfect…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 22, 2025
Watch: Scene of the explosion that killed Russian general in Moscow
Monday 22 December 2025 20:00 , James ReynoldsStarlink satellites could be targeted by new Russian weapon, Nato suspects
Monday 22 December 2025 19:00 , James ReynoldsRussia is reportedly developing a new anti-satellite weapon specifically designed to target Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation, according to intelligence findings from two Nato nations.
Starlink has played a crucial role in aiding Ukraine on the battlefield. Here’s how:
Russia developing weapon to hit Musk’s Starlink satellites, Nato suspects
How Ukraine is escalating its pushback against Russia
Monday 22 December 2025 18:00 , James ReynoldsUkrainian forces have ramped up their campaign to disrupt the Russian war effort as negotiators push for leverage in peace talks:
Monday: Kyiv claimed to have hit an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters and two ships in Krasnodar in a series of strikes on Russian soil.
A Russian launch site for attack drones was also hit.
Ukraine was also accused of involvement in the death of a Russian general in Moscow, but is yet to comment.
Saturday: Ukraine claimed attacks on a Russian oil rig, the military patrol ship Okhotnik and other facilities.
Ukrainian drones also struck a radar system in the Krasnosilske area of Crimea.
Friday: Ukraine claimed drone strikes on a ‘shadow fleet’ tanker in neutral waters off the coast of Libya.
Lithuania joins in condemning alleged abductions from Ukraine
Monday 22 December 2025 17:00 , James ReynoldsLithuania today joined in condemning the alleged abductions of civilians from a Ukrainian border village.
Ukraine yesterday alleged that Russian forces had taken more than 50 civilians, many of them elderly, from Hrabovske village as Ukrainian troops withdrew.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys on Monday called the alleged kidnappings ‘cynical’.
“This targeting of mostly elderly residents once again exposes Russia’s utter cynicism and shows that it has no limits,” he said.
“This is a war crime - and Russia will not escape responsibility for this and all the other crimes it has committed against Ukraine.”
Italian prosecutors move to drop probe into suspected Russian drone flyovers
Monday 22 December 2025 16:43 , James ReynoldsItalian prosecutors investigating suspected Russian drone flights over an EU space research centre have concluded their suspicions were unfounded and have requested the case be dropped, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Milan prosecutors found that 21 alleged overflights between March and May 2025 were actually caused by interference from a private GSM phone signal booster near the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, near Italy's Lake Maggiore.
Who was the Russian general killed in an explosion in Moscow today?
Monday 22 December 2025 16:31 , James ReynoldsA senior Russian official was killed when a car blew up in Moscow on Monday.
Investigators have identified the victim as Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov.
He was a 56-year-old veteran of Russia’s 21st-century military campaigns, having served in Chechnya, Syria and most recently Ukraine.
In Ukraine he was responsible for the military’s combat training and readiness. Vladimir Putin was reportedly told immediately of the death of such a senior official.
Tass reports that Sarvarov was decorated with the Order of Courage, the Medal of Suvorov, the Order of Merit for Services to the Fatherland (I and II Class), and the Order of Military Merit.
Read the full story:
Russian general killed by bomb planted under his car in Moscow
More on major Ukrainian air attack on Russia
Monday 22 December 2025 15:59 , Alex CroftWe can bring you more now on the large Ukrainian air attack overnight, which officials said on Monday targeted an oil terminal, a pipeline, two parked jet fighters and two ships.
The attacks are part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt the Russian war effort and sow fear behind the front line, where outnumbered Ukrainian troops are straining to hold back Russia’s bigger army after almost four years of war.
The strikes also seek to undermine president Vladimir Putin’s attempt to portray Russia as negotiating from a position of military strength in US-led peace efforts, which have yet to make a breakthrough on key points.
The killing of a top Russian general by a car bomb in Moscow on Monday, with investigators suspecting Ukraine was behind it, could be another instance of Kyiv picking surprise targets.
Ukrainian forces struck the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, an ammunition depot and a launch site for attack drones inside Russian territory and Russian-held Ukrainian territory, Ukraine’s General Staff said in a statement Monday.
A pipeline, two docks and two ships were damaged in the southern Krasnodar region, and a large blaze broke out, the statement said, without specifying what kind of weapons were used in the attack.
It added that a Ukrainian-made missile also hit a temporary base for Russia's 92nd River Boat Brigade in Olenivka, in the occupied Crimean Peninsula.
A separate strike targeted an ammunition depot in a Russian-controlled portion of the Donetsk region, aiming to slow the Russian advance there, the General Staff said. A Russian launch site for attack drones was also hit.
Czech security council to decide on ammunition scheme for Ukraine in January
Monday 22 December 2025 15:33 , Alex CroftThe Czech Republic's security council will debate the future of a Czech-led, Western-financed scheme organising artillery ammunition supplies for Ukraine on January 7, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Monday.
The scheme brings together foreign donors including Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands with Czech defence officials and arms traders and producers who purchase ammunition around the world and deliver it to Ukraine to reduce its disadvantage on the battlefield against Russia.
Babis, who took power last week and has vowed to cut Czech financial aid to Ukraine, has criticised what he calls the scheme's lack of transparency. But he has not taken a clear stance on its future since his populist ANO party won an election in October.
Czech President Petr Pavel, Prague's NATO allies and Ukraine have all praised the scheme, while Babis' pro-Russian coalition allies oppose it.
"In principle, the ammunition initiative has certainly been a good thing, the question is whether it has occurred without corruption," Babis told a news conference after a government meeting on Monday.
Ukraine strikes oil terminal in Russia's Krasnodar region
Monday 22 December 2025 15:09 , Alex CroftUkraine's military hit a Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in Russia's Krasnodar region in an overnight attack, causing explosions and a fire, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Monday.
It said in a statement on the Telegram app that the oil terminal was part of Russia's energy infrastructure that supported financing and logistics of Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
French presidency welcomes Kremlin's willingness to hold talks
Monday 22 December 2025 14:43 , Alex CroftThe French presidency has welcomed Russia’s willingness to hold talks with Emmanuel Macron.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to speak with Macron is “welcome”, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Paris will decide on the details “in the coming days”, reported French broadcaster BFMTV.
The remarks came shortly after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Saturday said Putin is ready to engage in dialogue with Macron.
On Friday, Macron had said it would “become useful again” for him and the Europeans to speak with Putin.
"I think that we, Europeans and Ukrainians, have an interest in finding a framework to re-engage in these discussions properly. Otherwise, we end up talking among ourselves, with negotiators who go off on their own to talk with the Russians, which is not optimal," Macron said.
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites could be targeted by new Russian weapon, Nato suspects
Monday 22 December 2025 14:15 , Alex CroftRussia is reportedly developing a new anti-satellite weapon specifically designed to target Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation, according to intelligence findings from two Nato nations.
These reports, seen by The Associated Press, indicate the so-called "zone-effect" weapon aims to flood Starlink orbits with hundreds of thousands of high-density pellets.
Such a weapon could potentially disable multiple satellites at once, but also carries the risk of catastrophic collateral damage to other orbiting systems. The alleged objective behind this development is to curb Western space superiority, which has played a crucial role in aiding Ukraine on the battlefield.
Read more here:
Russia developing weapon to hit Musk’s Starlink satellites, Nato suspects
Russian pipeline gas exports to China rise by 25 per cent in 2025
Monday 22 December 2025 13:51 , Alex CroftRussia's pipeline exports of natural gas to China are expected to have risen by a quarter this year, a source familiar with the data told Reuters news agency on Monday, as Moscow ramps up sales to Asia and cements ties with the world's largest energy consumer.
However, this will not offset the fall in revenue from the loss of the European gas market, Reuters calculations showed.
Russia has re-routed most of its oil to India and China since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 as Moscow and Europe - once its main commodity export market and source of revenue - severed ties.
It's proven harder to divert gas flows eastwards and painstaking talks to bring more Russian gas to China have yielded limited results.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to media, said Russian energy giant Gazprom GAZP.MM expects gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia Pipeline to reach around 38.6-38.7 billion cubic metres this year, up from 31 bcm in 2024 and exceeding the pipeline's planned annual capacity of 38 bcm.
In photos: Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow
Monday 22 December 2025 13:25 , Alex Croft
Russia ready to legally confirm it will not attack the EU or Nato states
Monday 22 December 2025 12:59 , Alex CroftRussia is ready to confirm in a legal agreement that it has no intention of attacking either the European Union or the US-led NATO military alliance, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Monday, the state RIA news agency reported.
It comes after reports that US intelligence had concluded Russia’s ultimate goal was to take over the entirety of Ukraine and parts of other neighbouring countries which were once part of the Soviet Union.
World of Trouble: ‘I was a British POW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine can win this war’
Monday 22 December 2025 12:07 , Alex CroftRussia attacks ports and energy infrastructure in Ukraine's Odesa region overnight
Monday 22 December 2025 11:44 , Alex CroftRussian troops hit port and energy infrastructure in an overnight attack on Ukraine's Odesa region, a senior Ukrainian official said on Monday.
The strikes caused a fire at a major port and disrupting electricity supplies to tens of thousands of people, he added.
Ukraine's Black Sea ports are crucial for its export-driven economy and their security and functionality have been vital for the country's economic survival.
"Russia is attempting to disrupt maritime logistics by launching systematic attacks on port and energy infrastructure, deputy prime minister Oleksiy Kuleba said on the Telegram app. "Last night, ports and energy facilities were targeted again."
Mr Kuleba said that following the attacks, a fire had broken out in the port of Pivdennyi and about 30 containers of flour and vegetable oil were on fire. Port workers and emergency services were tackling the blaze.
Because of damage to the energy infrastructure, electricity supplies were disrupted to more than 120,000 customers in the Odesa region, he said. One person had been hurt in the attack, the interior ministry said.
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
Monday 22 December 2025 10:59 , Alex CroftThe icy ground crackling under their feet, members of an elite Ukrainian drone-hunting team set up for a long night.
Antennas and sensors are clipped to a light stand. Monitors and controls are pulled from hard cases, and a game-changing new weapon is readied for deployment.
The Sting, shaped like a flying thermos, is one of Ukraine’s new homegrown interceptors.
The unit’s commander says the interceptors can effectively counter Russia’s fast-evolving suicide drones, which are now flying faster and at higher altitudes.
“Every destroyed target is something that did not hit our homes, our families, our power plants,” said the officer, known only by the call sign “Loi”, in line with Ukrainian military protocol.
“The enemy does not sleep, and neither do we.”
Read the full report:
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
Moscow claims it has captured village in northeastern Kharkiv region
Monday 22 December 2025 10:36 , Alex CroftRussia's Defence Ministry said it had captured Vilcha in Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv region, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported on Monday.
The Independent could not immediately verify the report.
Sweden releases Russian ship boarded over weekend in sanctions investigation
Monday 22 December 2025 10:04 , Alex CroftSwedish customs has released a Russian ship it boarded over the weekend to investigate a suspected violation of sanctions.
The customs service said on Sunday that authorities had boarded the Adler, a Russian freighter, that anchored in Swedish waters near Hoganas in south-west Sweden on Friday after developing engine problems.
But trackers show on Monday that the ship is on the move again, travelling north up the west coast of Sweden.
"The prosecutor has decided not to open an investigation into suspected violation of sanctions," a spokesperson for the customs service said. "The ship has therefore been allowed to go on its way."
In addition to the Adler being on a European Union sanctions list, the vessel and its owners M Leasing LLC are both subject to U.S. sanctions, suspected of involvement in weapons transport, according to OpenSanctions, a database of sanctioned companies and individuals, persons of interest and government watchlists.
The customs service declined to say what cargo the Adler, which left St Petersburg on December 15 for an unknown destination, had been carrying.
Kremlin denies US intelligence claim it wants to capture all of Ukraine
Monday 22 December 2025 09:31 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin has denied that Vladimir Putin wants to capture all of Ukraine, following reports that that was the current assessment of US intelligence.
The US intelligence reports warn that Putin has not abandoned his aim of capturing the country and reclaiming parts of Europe that were once part of the Soviet Union, including current Nato members, according to reporting by Reuters.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Moscow is not sure how reliable the Reuters report is - but that if it is true, the US intelligence assessment is wrong.
"This is absolutely not true," Peskov said of the US’ conclusions.
Train derails after Russian drone attack
Monday 22 December 2025 09:09 , Alex CroftSeveral have been injured after a goods train has derailed near the city of Korosten in the Zhytomyr region, reportedly after coming under Russian drone attack, Ukraine’s public railway service has said.
"The locomotive crew of passenger train No. 45/46 Kharkiv-Uzhhorod made an emergency stop due to an 'oversized object' on the adjacent track, and its locomotive also derailed," Ukrzaliznytsia said in a statement.
The incident took place shortly after 5am local time (3am GMT).
A woman suffered a cut from broken glass, while the train driver and assistant driver were also injured.
Dmitriev to report back to Putin on US peace talks
Monday 22 December 2025 08:39 , Alex CroftVladimir Putin’s peace envoy, envoy Kirill Dmitriev, will report to the Russian president on US proposals for possible Ukrainian settlement as soon as he arrives in Moscow from Miami, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskkov has said.
Dmitriev arrived in Miami on Saturday and held two days of talks with US president Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Russia attempts to break through Sumy frontline and abducts 50 civilians from border villages
Monday 22 December 2025 08:05 , Arpan RaiUkraine said it was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region on Sunday and that Moscow had forcibly removed 50 people from a border village.
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russian forces of abducting around 50 mostly elderly Ukrainian civilians into Russian territory. The forcible relocation of civilians is considered a war crime and crime against humanity.
In a statement on Telegram, Lubinets said Russian forces illegally detained the residents of the village of Hrabovske on Thursday, before moving them to Russia on Saturday.
Russia attempts to break through Sumy frontline and abducts 50 civilians
In photos: Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow
Monday 22 December 2025 07:57 , Arpan Rai
Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow, investigators say
Monday 22 December 2025 07:28 , Arpan RaiA Russian general was killed in a car bomb in Moscow today, Russia's investigative committee said today.
Lieutenant general Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff's army operational training directorate, was killed, the committee said.
The committee said one possibility being investigated is that the bomb was planted by Ukrainian special services.
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
Monday 22 December 2025 07:00 , Arpan RaiVladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has accused Europe and Ukraine of prolonging the conflict with their proposals.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
He also denied that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US were under discussion, after Zelensky said Washington had proposed the idea of three-way discussions.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge it is not being prepared," he said.
Starmer has his final call of 2025 with Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine and Gaza
Monday 22 December 2025 06:45 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer has spoken to US president Donald Trump for what will likely be their final phone call of 2025.
The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the appointment of a new ambassador to Washington DC when they spoke on Sunday afternoon, according to No 10.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon. The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities.
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
Monday 22 December 2025 06:30 , Arpan RaiThe icy ground crackling under their feet, members of an elite Ukrainian drone-hunting team set up for a long night.
Antennas and sensors are clipped to a light stand. Monitors and controls are pulled from hard cases, and a game-changing new weapon is readied for deployment.
The Sting, shaped like a flying thermos, is one of Ukraine’s new homegrown interceptors.
The unit’s commander says the interceptors can effectively counter Russia’s fast-evolving suicide drones, which are now flying faster and at higher altitudes.
“Every destroyed target is something that did not hit our homes, our families, our power plants,” said the officer, known only by the call sign “Loi,” in line with Ukrainian military protocol. “The enemy does not sleep, and neither do we.”
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defense
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Monday 22 December 2025 06:16 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainians have responded to the cautiousness of their European allies with a show of fighting spirit. After European leaders signed off a €90bn loan – as we commented yesterday, “just enough” to hold Vladimir Putin’s forces at bay but not enough to push them back – Ukraine has struck an alleged Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker off Libya, 2,000km from the battlefield.
Ukrainian drones also hit a Russian patrol ship and an offshore drilling platform in the Caspian Sea, hundreds of kilometres away.
This intensification of the long-distance battle that Ukraine is fighting in support of the ground war of attrition on its own territory is a fitting response, both to the hesitation of its allies and to the four-hour monologue of obfuscation delivered by Mr Putin on Friday.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Indian national captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia appeals to PM Modi
Monday 22 December 2025 05:52 , Arpan RaiAn Indian national who had travelled to Russia on a student visa and is now being held as a POW in Ukraine has appealed to his country’s prime minister Narendra Modi to secure his release.
Sahil Mohamed Hussein Majothi, 23, from Gujarat, says he travelled to St Petersburg in January 2024 to study a course on Russian language and culture at ITMO University.
The man was allegedly sentenced to jail after a police case and then forced to fight for Russia on the battlefield. He was then captured by the Ukrainian forces.
A video released by Ukraine in October showed his surrender. In a fresh video last night, Majothi warned Indians going to Russia for studies or work to “be careful against scammers”.
“I appeal to the Indian government, to prime minister Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar (minister of external affairs), if possible, please help. That’s all,” he said.
French presidency welcomes Kremlin's willingness to hold talks
Monday 22 December 2025 05:22 , Arpan RaiThe French presidency has welcomed Russia’s willingness to hold talks with Emmanuel Macron.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to speak with Macron is “welcome”, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Paris will decide on the details “in the coming days”, reported French broadcaster BFMTV.
The remarks came shortly after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Saturday said Putin is ready to engage in dialogue with Macron.
On Friday, Macron had said it would “become useful again” for him and the Europeans to speak with Putin.
"I think that we, Europeans and Ukrainians, have an interest in finding a framework to re-engage in these discussions properly. Otherwise, we end up talking among ourselves, with negotiators who go off on their own to talk with the Russians, which is not optimal," Macron said.
Watch: Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
Monday 22 December 2025 05:10 , Arpan RaiOrban says Ukraine's collapse would be a disaster for Hungary
Monday 22 December 2025 04:55 , Arpan RaiHungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for his country, as he made a rare statement in support of Kyiv.
Orban was speaking during his “Country tour” rally yesterday, at a time when he faces staunch opposition ahead of the country's upcoming elections.
“Make no mistake: Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary. So the collapse of Ukraine is not only in Hungary's interest, but we must do a great deal to prevent it from happening,” he said.
“Countryside people - and real estate speculators - understand perfectly that the value of your piece of land is influenced not only by the condition of that land, but also by the condition of the neighbouring piece of land, and also by who lives there,” Orban said, addressing the city of Szeged.
What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
Monday 22 December 2025 04:30 , James ReynoldsThe talks between Ukraine and the US have centred on Kyiv’s insistence that it needs security guarantees to end the war.
Ukraine also says it will not and legally cannot give up territory seized by Russia.
Moscow has shown no signs of backing down from its demands, however.
Russia opposes Europe putting boots on the ground to uphold peace in Ukraine when the war ends. That makes it tricky for Europe to offer tangible security guarantees.
Russia has gone into talks this week publicly refusing to budge on claims to the Donbas, Crimea and land in the south.
The two sides are stuck in gridlock with Trump pressuring Kyiv to give up land for a peace deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ukraine’s leverage comes from Europe, which continues to offer funding and work on ‘security guarantees’.
Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
Monday 22 December 2025 04:10 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainian army said it was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region after Moscow claimed to have forcibly removed 50 people from a border village.
“Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Grabovske,” Ukraine’s joint taskforce said and said their troops were “making efforts to drive the occupiers back into Russian territory”.
Russian forces have crossed the border with Ukraine in the northeastern Sumy region and taken about 50 residents of a Ukrainian border village into Russia, Ukrainian media quoted the military as saying yesterday.
Most of the local residents captured from the village were elderly people, the media said.
Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet said Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske.
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
Monday 22 December 2025 03:19 , Arpan RaiVladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has accused Europe and Ukraine of prolonging the conflict with their proposals.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
He also denied that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US were under discussion, after Zelensky said Washington had proposed the idea of three-way discussions.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge it is not being prepared," he said.
Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia's Krasnodar
Monday 22 December 2025 02:56 , Arpan RaiAt least two vessels and two piers were damaged as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region, authorities in the southern Russia region said today.
All crew on the ships at the Volna terminal in the region have been safely evacuated, the Krasnodar region’s operational headquarters said on the Telegram messaging app. The damage led to a fire spreading across up to 1,500 square metres (1,794 square yards), the authorities added.
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Monday 22 December 2025 02:00 , James ReynoldsAiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine can win this war’
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian strikes on Odesa
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:55 , James Reynolds
Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:10 , James ReynoldsSwedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters with engine problems overnight, the country’s customs service said on Sunday.
Sweden carried out an inspection of the cargo aboard the Adler, which is subject to both EU and US sanctions. Authorities declined to say what they found on board the ship.
The owners are also on the EU’s sanctions list, a spokesperson for the customs authority said.
Russia launches 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 22:07 , James ReynoldsUkraine’s president Zelensky said that Russia had launched approximately 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in the last week alone.
These included 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 9 missiles of various types, he said.
Macron open to talks with Putin, casting doubt over progress in US-led talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:06 , James ReynoldsFrance is contemplating how to restart dialogue with Russia after Putin said he was open to talking to president Emmanuel Macron.
“It is welcome that the Kremlin has given its public approval to this approach. We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed,” the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.
The shift in diplomacy comes just two days after Macron suggested Europe would have to step up and talk directly to Putin if US talks fail.
The latest round of talks to end the war have been ongoing since November, but clear sticking points remain around territory and security guarantees.
What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:04 , James ReynoldsThe talks between Ukraine and the US have centred on Kyiv’s insistence that it needs security guarantees to end the war.
Ukraine also says it will not and legally cannot give up territory seized by Russia.
Moscow has shown no signs of backing down from its demands, however.
Russia opposes Europe putting boots on the ground to uphold peace in Ukraine when the war ends. That makes it tricky for Europe to offer tangible security guarantees.
Russia has gone into talks this week publicly refusing to budge on claims to the Donbas, Crimea and land in the south.
The two sides are stuck in gridlock with Trump pressuring Kyiv to give up land for a peace deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ukraine’s leverage comes from Europe, which continues to offer funding and work on ‘security guarantees’.
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:00 , James ReynoldsAiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine can win this war’
ICYMI: Putin still wants all of Ukraine, US intelligence finds
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:00 , James ReynoldsUS intelligence reports continue to warn that Putin has not abandoned his aims of taking all of Ukraine and parts of Europe, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said this week.
The reports present a starkly different picture from that painted by Donald Trump, who says Putin wants to end the conflict.
The intelligence also contradicts the Russian leader’s denials that he is a threat to Europe.
The U.S. findings have been consistent since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022.
They largely align with the views of European leaders and spy agencies.
France to build Europe's largest ever warship, Macron confirms
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:48 , James ReynoldsFrance will build a new, larger and more modern aircraft carrier to replace the ageing Charles de Gaulle carrier, Macron confirmed today.
The programme, known as "Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération" (PANG), is set to cost around 10.25 billion euros.
France says the new vessel will be operational by 2038, when the Charles de Gaulle is expected to retire. Work on nuclear propulsion components began last year.
France, the EU's only nuclear power, is among the few European nations owning an aircraft carrier alongside Britain, Italy and Spain.
Ukraine and US to continue talks on Sunday
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:23 , James ReynoldsUkrainian peace negotiators will hold another meeting with US officials on Sunday, top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said.
"We are working constructively and substantively. We are counting on further progress and practical results," Umerov said Telegram.
Ukrainian, US and European teams held a round of talks on Friday.
What to know about Europe's new loan for Ukraine
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:00 , James ReynoldsEU leaders agreed on Friday to provide a massive loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years.
The 27-nation bloc's heads of state had planned to use some of the 210 billion euros worth of Russian assets frozen in Europe, mostly in Belgium.
But despite working through the night, they failed to convince Belgium that the country would be protected from Russian retaliation if it backed the “reparations loan” plan.
Here’s what to know about the loan Ukraine will be receiving:
What to know about the EU's new $106 billion loan to Ukraine
Trilateral talks not under discussion, says Kremlin
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:54 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin denied that trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine were currently under discussion on Sunday.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:00 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Vladimir Putin must be brought to the point where he no longer has an interest in prolonging the war:
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Russian forces take elderly residents from border village into Russia, Ukraine claims
Sunday 21 December 2025 14:30 , James ReynoldsRussian forces crossed the border into Ukraine’s Sumy region and took about 50 residents from a village back into Russia, Ukrainian media quoted the military as saying on Sunday.
Russian forces are alleged to have entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske, according to public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet.
Most of the local residents captured from the village were elderly people, the media said.
The Independent could not independently verify the report. Russia has not yet commented on the matter.
Kremlin says peace prospects not improved by European amendments
Sunday 21 December 2025 14:00 , James ReynoldsRussian President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy aide said on Sunday that changes made by the Europeans and Ukraine to US proposals for an end to the war in Ukraine did not improve prospects for peace.
"This is not a forecast," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, though he said he had not seen the exact proposals on paper yet.
"I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace."
Macron open to talks with Putin, casting doubt over progress in US-led talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 13:30 , James ReynoldsFrance is contemplating restarting dialogue with Russia after the Kremlin said it was open to talking to president Emmanuel Macron.
“In the coming days, we will determine the optimal format for starting this process,” the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.
The Kremlin said Putin was ready to hold talks with Macron if there is mutual political will in remarks published by Russia’s RIA on Sunday.
The shift in diplomacy comes just two days after Macron suggested Europe would have to step up and talk directly to Putin if US talks fail.
"Either a robust and lasting peace is reached, with the required (security) guarantees," Macron told reporters in Brussels, "or we will need in the weeks ahead to find ways for Europeans to re-engage in a fulsome dialogue with Russia, and in complete transparency."
The latest round of talks to end the war have been ongoing since November, but clear sticking points remain around territory and security guarantees.
Publicly, both Ukraine and Russia have praised the work of the US to help mediate a ceasefire agreement. But no tangible results have yet emerged.
Where does Zelensky stand on holding wartime elections?
Sunday 21 December 2025 13:00 , James ReynoldsZelensky had previously ruled out holding elections while the war is ongoing - a measure backed even by many opponents in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, and again under pressure from Trump, he said that he would be open to holding elections within 60-90 days if security guarantees are in place.
On Saturday, he told Putin to keep out of Ukraine’s affairs after the Russian president backed Trump’s call.
Zelensky also reiterated that elections can only be held when security is guaranteed.
Any election in Ukraine can not be held in Russia-occupied parts of the country, either, he said.
He added that Ukraine's foreign minister had started the initial work on the infrastructure needed to make voting possible for Ukrainians living abroad.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Sunday 21 December 2025 12:00 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Vladimir Putin must be brought to the point where he no longer has an interest in prolonging the war:
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Russia has launched 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 11:15 , James ReynoldsRussia has launched approximately 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in the last week alone, president Volodymyr Zelensky shared today in a bleak reminder of the reality on the ground with peace talks ongoing.
Zelensky wrote on social media that Russia has launched an estimated 1,300 attack drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs and nine missiles against Ukraine over the past week.
Odesa the southern part of the country were hit particularly hard, he said.
Kremlin spurns European involvement in peace talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 11:00 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Sunday that the chances of peace in Ukraine were not improved by changes to US proposals made by the Europeans and Ukraine, Interfax news agency reported.
Zelensky seeks more consultation with Europe after US talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:35 , James ReynoldsFollowing talks with the US in Florida last week, Ukraine’s Zelensky called for broader consultations with European partners on social media today.
Europe has played an important role in backing Ukraine’s plea for clear security guarantees through the negotiation process.
Those, and territory swaps, remains points of contention between Ukraine and Russia, via the US.
"We are moving at a fairly rapid pace, and our team in Florida has been working with the American side," Zelensky said on Telegram messenger.
He said he had just talked with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere on the phone.
Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:30 , James ReynoldsSwedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters after developing engine problems overnight, the country’s customs service said on Sunday.
Sweden carried out an inspection of the cargo aboard the Adler, which is subject to both EU and US sanctions. Authorities declined to say what they found on board the ship.
The owners are also on the EU’s sanctions list, a spokesperson for the customs authority said.
The Adler is a 126-metre-long, roll-on, roll-off container carrier. It is anchored off Hoganas in southwest Sweden.
"Shortly after 0100 last night we boarded the ship with support from the Swedish Coast Guard and the police service in order to make a customs inspection," a spokesperson said. "The inspection is still ongoing."
'Alternatives to US support are uncertain,' Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:00 , Vishwam SankaranAmid ongoing US-led peace negotiations, Zelensky called on the American president to take an active role in ending the war in Ukraine, stating alternatives to US support "are uncertain".
"I believe such strength exists in the United States and in President Trump. And I believe we should not look for an alternative to the United States, because all alternatives are uncertain as to whether they can (end the war)," the Ukrainian president said.
"Who else (can effectively establish peace)? Perhaps representatives of the Middle East. But I still believe the United States has greater chances. Who else? Europe – the Coalition of the Willing – which is Europe plus our friends from Canada and Japan. But they will all be at the negotiating table in one way or another. And perhaps China could as well, but we clearly see no desire from China to end this war," he said.
Over 200 Indian nationals taken by Russia to fight war in Ukraine, New Delhi says
Sunday 21 December 2025 09:00 , Vishwam SankaranIndia’s foreign ministry says 202 Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian army since 2022, with at least 26 killed and seven missing.
The figures were released in an official report submitted to India’s parliament last week.
"As per information available, 202 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Concerted efforts by the Government have resulted in the early discharge of 119 of them; 26 are reported to have lost their lives, and seven are reported missing by the Russian side," the report said.
Video: US, Russian officials meet in Miami for peace talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 08:30 , Vishwam SankaranRussia and Ukraine must both make compromises to end war, Rubio says
Sunday 21 December 2025 08:10 , Vishwam SankaranEnding the war will require that both sides “give something” and the US is figuring out “what both sides are prepared to give", US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday.
"I don't know if Putin wants to do a deal or Putin wants to take the whole country. These are things that he has said openly," the secretary of state said.
"We know what they wanted to achieve initially when the war began. They haven't achieved those objectives," he said.
