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EU Pushes for Greater Independence, von der Leyen Says

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday that the EU must accelerate its drive for independence to protect itself in a rapidly changing world. She emphasized that while Europe prefers dialogue, it is ready to act with unity, urgency, and determination if necessary.

Von der Leyen highlighted that Europe needs its own tools of power, including a strong economy, a robust single market, technological innovation, and the capacity to defend itself. She stressed that these elements are crucial for the EU to navigate global challenges effectively.

She also reaffirmed the EU’s focus on Ukraine, while noting plans to strengthen security partnerships with the US and other allies in the Arctic region, underlining the importance of collaboration in a complex geopolitical landscape.

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Russian Strikes Cut Heating to Thousands in Kyiv Amid Freezing Cold

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Russian drone and missile attacks early Tuesday knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment buildings in Kyiv, leaving residents exposed to freezing temperatures as low as –15°C, Ukrainian officials said. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 5,635 multi-storey residential buildings lost heating, while water supplies were disrupted on the city’s left bank, and one person was wounded as debris damaged a school.

The strikes represent the second major attack on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure this month, with repair crews working continuously to restore services. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for urgent support from allies, including energy aid and air defence systems, describing the attacks as a “wake-up call” to world leaders. Many of the buildings affected in the latest strike had already suffered damage during previous attacks.

Beyond Kyiv, Russian attacks damaged critical energy and infrastructure across multiple regions, including Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava and Sumy, and wounded two people in Dnipropetrovsk. With the war nearing its fourth year, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have yielded little progress, leaving Ukrainians facing repeated power and heating disruptions during harsh winter conditions.

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Ukraine Sends Delegation to US for Security Guarantees, Recovery Talks

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Ukraine has sent a high-level delegation to the United States for talks focused on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. He expressed hope that the agreements could be finalised and signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. The discussions come as Ukraine seeks firm commitments to prevent any future Russian aggression once the war ends.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv also wants greater clarity from Washington on Russia’s position toward U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict. While noting progress in negotiations with the U.S., he acknowledged differences on certain issues. Ukrainian officials estimate the country will need around $800 billion for post-war reconstruction, and Zelenskiy said Ukraine has completed its part of the work on a proposed “prosperity package” to unlock recovery funding.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, said senior officials, including the head of the presidential office and top security leaders, will hold bilateral talks in Miami to refine the agreements. Zelenskiy accused Russia of stalling peace efforts, citing continued strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and renewed calls for increased air defence support, warning that shortages of ammunition have already left parts of the power grid vulnerable.

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Ukraine Declares Energy Emergency as Winter Cold and Russian Strikes Batter Kyiv

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Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector, particularly targeting Kyiv, as ongoing Russian attacks continue to leave thousands of residents without power amid harsh winter conditions. Overnight temperatures in the capital recently dropped to around -20°C, exacerbating the humanitarian impact of missile and drone strikes that disrupted electricity, heating, and water supplies. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately exploiting the severe cold as part of its war strategy.

Following a special cabinet meeting, Zelensky announced the creation of a 24/7 task force to repair energy infrastructure and procure essential equipment from abroad. Emergency help points are being expanded across Kyiv to provide heat and power to residents, with a possible easing of the midnight curfew. The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy has been tasked with overseeing these emergency operations.

Russian attacks on energy systems have also affected south-eastern Ukraine, leaving over one million people without heating and water at times. Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, DTEK, reports constant strain from repeated waves of drone, cruise, and ballistic missile attacks, struggling to maintain power for 5.6 million Ukrainians as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches.

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Ukraine Accuses Former PM Tymoshenko in Alleged Vote-Bribery Scheme

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Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have accused former prime minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko of bribery, alleging her involvement in a vote-buying scheme, a source familiar with the case said on Wednesday. The accusation comes as part of a widening anti-graft crackdown that has shaken Ukraine’s political establishment. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said it had served bribery charges to an opposition party leader without naming Tymoshenko directly.

According to NABU, the investigation uncovered a “systemic” scheme in which lawmakers allegedly received payments in exchange for voting instructions or abstentions. The bureau said the plan was not a one-off arrangement but a long-term mechanism involving advance payments and coordinated parliamentary behavior. Tymoshenko, a prominent figure of the 2004 Orange Revolution, denied all allegations and said in a social media post that she would defend herself in court.

The probe forms part of a broader anti-corruption drive that has ensnared senior officials and lawmakers across the political spectrum, amid Ukraine’s push to meet European Union standards. Tackling corruption is central to Kyiv’s EU accession ambitions, though recent high-profile cases have underscored the scale of the challenge. Tymoshenko, who served as prime minister in 2005 and from 2007 to 2010, now leads a smaller parliamentary faction, with her political influence having waned in recent years.

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Macron Brings Ukraine and Allies Together to Push Security Guarantees

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French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from more than 30 allied nations in Paris as efforts intensify to secure long-term security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The meeting includes members of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” as well as US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, amid claims from Zelensky that a US-backed peace plan is largely agreed.

While around 90% of the proposed framework is said to be settled, the remaining disagreements centre on territorial concessions Ukraine is being asked to consider. Russia currently controls most of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine and has shown little willingness to compromise, while continuing intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during winter. Ukraine, meanwhile, has stepped up drone strikes inside Russia, including on energy facilities.

Talks in Paris are focused on defining post-war security arrangements, including the possibility of a multinational reassurance force, long-term military and economic support for Ukraine, and guarantees in case of renewed Russian aggression. European allies are also seeking a clear US commitment to act if Russia breaches a future peace deal, though broader geopolitical tensions involving recent US actions abroad and disputes over Greenland risk overshadowing the discussions.

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Zelensky Accuses Russia of Blocking Peace Ahead of Talks With Trump in Florida

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a revised U.S.-brokered peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia. The talks come amid intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv, which Zelensky said prove that Moscow “doesn’t want peace.” The leaders will meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial issues are expected to dominate discussions.

The meeting follows a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv over the weekend that killed at least two people, injured dozens and damaged energy infrastructure, leaving large parts of the capital without heating. Zelensky said the bombardment was Russia’s response to diplomatic efforts, while Moscow accused Ukraine of delaying a peaceful resolution. Russia currently controls most of the eastern Donbas region, a key sticking point in negotiations.

Zelensky has expressed optimism about the updated 20-point peace plan, calling it a “foundational document” that is close to completion, though Trump cautioned that no deal would proceed without his approval. European and Nato leaders have reiterated support for Kyiv, with Zelensky urging “strong positions” to push talks forward. Despite diplomatic momentum, continued fighting on both sides underscores the fragility of any potential agreement.

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Kyiv Targeted by Russian Strikes Ahead of Zelensky’s Peace Meeting with Trump

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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine on Saturday, coinciding with heightened security measures ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert as explosions were heard in the capital, prompting air defense units to intercept incoming missiles and drones. No immediate reports of damage or power outages were recorded.

The attacks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalize a U.S.-backed 20-point peace plan aimed at halting the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky emphasized that his discussions with Trump would focus on territorial control, including the contested Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as security guarantees. Kyiv seeks legally binding provisions to prevent future Russian aggression, while a free economic zone is proposed for certain areas under U.S. compromise.

Additional issues include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the eastern Donbas region, both key points of contention in the negotiations. Russia’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, engaged with U.S. officials after Moscow received American proposals for a possible peace deal, although Russia has not publicly disclosed its stance on the documents. Both sides continue dialogue as efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict move forward.

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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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IMF Welcomes EU’s €90 Billion Loan to Ukraine, Work on Financing Continues

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) welcomed the European Union’s decision to lend €90 billion ($105 billion) to Ukraine over the next two years, calling it a key step toward closing financing gaps and restoring debt sustainability. The EU opted to borrow funds for this loan rather than use frozen Russian assets, providing crucial support to Ukraine, which has relied heavily on donor aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 disrupted its economy.

The IMF has highlighted that additional measures are needed before approving Ukraine’s new $8.1 billion lending programme. These include implementing a program-consistent budget for 2026, broadening the tax base, promoting anti-corruption reforms, and securing financing assurances from international donors. The Fund estimates Ukraine will need around €135 billion ($158.57 billion) for 2026–2027, with the interest-free EU loan covering roughly two-thirds of these needs.

Despite the new financial support, Ukraine faces ongoing economic pressures as the war continues to drain resources. Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko emphasized the importance of implementing a Reparations Loan, while the country plans to allocate about 27% of its GDP, or 2.8 trillion hryvnias, to defence spending in 2026. The IMF reaffirmed its commitment to working with international donors to ensure sustainable financing for Ukraine.

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