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Ukraine, US Hold Christmas Day Talks to Advance Peace Deal

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a “very good” conversation on Christmas Day with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as negotiations toward a possible peace deal with Russia continued. Zelensky said the talks covered substantive aspects of the negotiations and generated new ideas aimed at achieving “real peace,” describing the engagement as constructive and timely. Senior Ukrainian officials, including Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, also participated in the discussions.

Zelensky said further talks were planned between Umerov and the US representatives, stressing the importance of seizing every opportunity to move closer to a settlement. The diplomatic push comes amid gradual progress in US-led peace efforts, including recent meetings between Ukrainian, Russian, and American negotiators. Zelensky has outlined a 20-point framework for ending the war, which includes troop withdrawals, security guarantees involving the US and Europe, and the creation of a demilitarized zone in parts of eastern Ukraine.

Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting has continued on the ground. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Odesa, causing power outages and civilian damage, while Ukrainian forces have conducted drone and sabotage operations against Russian military targets. Russian officials say they are reviewing Ukraine’s proposals, though President Vladimir Putin has reiterated demands that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk. International figures, including Pope Leo, used Christmas messages to call for an end to the violence and renewed diplomatic engagement.

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Lukashenko Says US Acknowledgment of 2020 Election Outcome Could Reset Ties

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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said relations with the United States could improve if Washington acknowledges that efforts to overturn his 2020 re-election had failed. In an interview with U.S. outlet Newsmax, Lukashenko suggested that such an admission could serve as a starting point for renewed dialogue between the two countries.

Official results declaring Lukashenko re-elected to a sixth term in 2020 triggered mass protests in Belarus, with demonstrators alleging electoral fraud. Western nations refused to recognise the result, while Russia backed Lukashenko. The Belarusian leader responded to the unrest with widespread arrests, deepening tensions with the West.

The United States and its allies later imposed sanctions on Belarus over the election, human rights concerns and Minsk’s role in allowing Russia to use its territory to launch the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, U.S. officials have engaged Belarus in recent years, including efforts to secure the release of detainees. Lukashenko said Belarus wanted constructive relations with Washington and even suggested the two sides could cooperate on international issues such as Venezuela.

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Zaporizhzhia Plant Operating on Single Power Line

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The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is currently running on only one of its two external power lines, Russian management reported on Tuesday. The second line was disconnected due to ongoing military activity, though officials confirmed that radiation levels remain normal. Repair work is planned to restore full power as soon as possible.

Europe’s largest nuclear facility, under Russian control since March 2022, is not generating electricity but depends on external power to keep nuclear material cooled and prevent a meltdown. The plant has experienced multiple power outages recently, including earlier this month, though connections were restored after each incident.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the site, raising concerns over safety. In September and October, the plant was without external power for 30 days, relying on backup diesel generators until a damaged line was repaired during a temporary local ceasefire coordinated with the U.N. nuclear agency.

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Ukraine–US Ceasefire Talks Continue in Berlin as Washington Signals Progress

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Ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and the United States continued for a second day in Berlin, with Washington saying “a lot of progress was made.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and chief negotiator Rustem Umerov held extended talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, joined by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Nato’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, also attended, while more European leaders are expected to join later discussions.

Zelensky indicated he was ready to give up Ukraine’s ambition to join Nato in exchange for strong security guarantees similar to Nato’s Article 5 mutual defence clause, calling it a significant compromise. The talks centre on a 20-point Ukrainian peace proposal aimed at countering an earlier US plan seen as favouring Russia. While details remain undisclosed, Kyiv says the plan would form the basis for reconstruction and long-term security assurances.

Discussions also touched on sensitive territorial issues, including the Donbas region, where Zelensky said Ukraine could consider freezing the conflict along current front lines but would not withdraw troops unless Russia did the same. Any agreement reached by Ukraine, the US and Europe would still need to be presented to Moscow, which continues to oppose Nato membership for Kyiv. The talks come as Ukraine faces renewed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and as EU states debate using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s economy.

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Germany Accuses Russia of Cyber-Attack on Air Traffic Control and Election Interference

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Germany has accused Russia of carrying out a cyber-attack on its air traffic control systems and attempting to interfere in the country’s federal elections, prompting Berlin to summon the Russian ambassador. A German foreign ministry spokesman said Russian military intelligence was responsible for hacking office communications at Germany’s air navigation service provider in August 2024, while also running a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising domestic politics ahead of the February elections.

According to German authorities, the attack has been linked to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear, which is believed to operate under the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service. Officials said intelligence findings confirmed GRU responsibility and accused Moscow of spreading fake videos alleging ballot manipulation, targeting senior political figures including Green Party leader Robert Habeck and CDU leader Friedrich Merz, now Germany’s chancellor. While the cyber-attack did not disrupt flights, Berlin said it was part of a broader effort to undermine democratic processes.

Russia has firmly denied the allegations, calling them baseless and “absurd”. However, Germany said it would coordinate with European partners to impose counter-measures and make Russia “pay a price” for what it described as hybrid warfare. The accusations come amid growing concern across Europe over suspected Russian cyber and disinformation campaigns since the invasion of Ukraine, which has significantly worsened relations between Berlin and Moscow.

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Russia Awaits US Response as New START Treaty Nears Expiry

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Russia said on Wednesday that it is still waiting for a formal response from the United States regarding President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to maintain the limits of the New START nuclear arms control treaty, which is set to expire on February 5. The treaty caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems, including land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers, for both countries. Putin had offered in September to voluntarily uphold the treaty limits for one year, a move that former U.S. President Trump described as “a good idea.”

Sergei Shoigu, head of Russia’s powerful Security Council, emphasized that fewer than 100 days remain before New START expires. He called Moscow’s proposal an opportunity to stop the “destructive movement” currently threatening nuclear arms control and urged Washington to respond soon. The treaty has historically aimed to enhance transparency and reduce the risk of miscalculation between the world’s largest nuclear powers.

With Russia and the U.S. together holding over 10,000 nuclear warheads, the vast majority of the global stockpile, arms control agreements have come under strain amid geopolitical tensions, NATO expansion, and Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Experts suggest maintaining New START could provide both nations more time to address China’s growing nuclear arsenal while preventing new Russian deployments, helping to preserve some measure of strategic stability.

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Kremlin Rejects Claims Putin Wants Soviet Revival or NATO Attack

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The Kremlin has dismissed European accusations that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to restore the Soviet Union or launch an attack on NATO. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that such claims were false and disrespectful, insisting that Putin has repeatedly stated it is impossible to recreate the U.S.S.R. Putin, who once described the Soviet collapse as a major geopolitical catastrophe, has long argued this view relates to the hardship faced by Russians at the time, not a desire to rebuild the former bloc.

The remarks came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed Putin seeks to revive the “old Soviet Union” and posed a threat to NATO. Western leaders have frequently warned that a successful Russian campaign in Ukraine could embolden Moscow to target NATO member states. Putin, however, has repeatedly called the idea irrational, pointing to NATO’s military superiority.

Peskov rejected Merz’s statements as misguided and offensive, saying the allegations misrepresent Russia’s intentions. He reiterated that suggestions of Moscow preparing to attack NATO are “complete stupidity,” accusing critics of misunderstanding or deliberately twisting Russia’s official positions.

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Ukraine Prepares New Peace Plan, Zelensky Rejects Territorial Concessions

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Ukraine is set to present a revised peace proposal to the United States, aiming to avoid territorial concessions to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that ceding land is not an option, citing Ukrainian law, the constitution, and international law. His comments came during meetings with European and NATO leaders, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a peace deal without compromising Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The revised plan follows intensive weekend talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators that failed to yield an agreement acceptable to Kyiv. Zelensky emphasized that sensitive issues like control of the Donbas region and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain non-negotiable. The original US-backed draft, which proposed handing over full control of Donbas to Russia and splitting energy from Zaporizhzhia, has been trimmed from 28 to 20 points, with no compromise on territorial matters.

Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front line, including a drone attack on Sumy that cut power but caused no casualties. Zelensky’s European tour included meetings with leaders in London and Brussels to secure support and potential security guarantees for Ukraine. Talks with Moscow reportedly remain ongoing, though little progress has been publicly acknowledged, and the US seeks a resolution ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

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Zelensky to Hold High-Level Talks in London on Peace Proposals

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, at Downing Street. The discussion comes amid a US-driven push for Ukraine to accept concessions in peace talks with Russia. The meeting follows negotiations in Florida, where Zelensky’s team pushed to amend a White House plan that Ukraine believes leans too heavily toward Russian demands.

The talks aim to ensure that any peace deal comes with strong security guarantees capable of deterring future Russian aggression. The UK and France have been spearheading efforts to build a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine’s long-term defence, though the role of a future reassurance force in Ukraine remains unclear. Some European countries, including Germany, have expressed reservations about deploying troops on Ukrainian soil, fearing escalation.

Key sticking points in the US-led peace initiative include Ukrainian troop withdrawal from contested eastern regions and the future of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control. While US officials claim progress is being made, Russia shows little sign of compromise and continues to insist on retaining occupied territories and blocking Ukraine’s NATO ambitions. European leaders fear the proposed terms could prioritise a quick end to the war over long-term European security.

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UK Unveils Atlantic Strategy to Counter Rising Russian Undersea Threat

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The Royal Navy has launched a new Atlantic strategy featuring advanced underwater drones and surveillance systems to protect vital subsea infrastructure from Russia’s growing presence. A key component, the SG-1 Fathom submarine glider, is being trialled to autonomously patrol for months, detect hostile submarines and support the Atlantic Bastion programme — a network of drones, warships and aircraft. Officials say the rising activity of Russian vessels near British waters, including suspected attempts to map cables and pipelines, has prompted faster deployment of new technology.

Defence Secretary John Healey says the move is a direct response to a 30% surge in Russian submarine activity in the past two years. The government recently highlighted risks after a Russian research vessel, Yantar, allegedly shone lasers at RAF pilots monitoring its route near the UK. Healey stressed that Russia continues to invest heavily in its submarine fleet and warned that protecting undersea infrastructure, including telecom and energy links, is now a national security priority.

Despite ambitious plans, critics argue the UK lacks sufficient naval resources and is relying on drones to fill gaps. Experts warn the Royal Navy has neglected its historic role in guarding the western Atlantic, forcing it to “play catch-up” even as threats grow. First Sea Lord Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins acknowledged the urgency, urging allies such as Norway to join the UK in countering Russian undersea strategy before the technological gap narrows further.

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