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Merz Urges Europe to Assert Its Interests to Protect Peace and Prosperity

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Europe to assert its interests more forcefully to safeguard peace and prosperity in 2026, warning of mounting threats from Russian aggression, global protectionism and shifting relations with the United States. Speaking in his New Year’s address, Merz said the war in Ukraine posed a direct threat to Europe’s freedom and security, adding that Russia’s actions were part of a broader strategy targeting the entire continent.

Since taking office in May, Merz has played a key role in pushing European support for Ukraine and strengthening Germany’s defence posture. He said Germany now faces daily challenges including sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks, underscoring the need for greater resilience. Merz also highlighted economic risks from rising protectionism and Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials, which he said were increasingly being used as tools of political pressure.

Merz pointed to Germany’s struggle to revive its export-driven economy after two years of contraction, as Berlin seeks to reduce reliance on China while navigating global trade tensions and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Acknowledging a more difficult partnership with Washington since Trump’s return to office in 2025, Merz said Europe must rely more on itself, stressing that confidence, not fear, should guide the continent’s response as it works to renew long-standing peace, freedom and prosperity.

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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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Pope Leo Highlights Gaza and Global Conflicts in First Christmas Sermon

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In his first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo made an unusually direct appeal regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asking how people could ignore Palestinians living in tents exposed to rain, wind, and cold. The U.S.-born pope, known for his quieter and diplomatic style, usually avoids political commentary in sermons, but he emphasized the plight of vulnerable populations worldwide, linking their suffering to the message of Jesus’ birth in a humble stable.

During the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, Leo also addressed broader global issues, calling for an end to wars and lamenting the destruction caused by conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. He highlighted the struggles of young people forced into combat and the ongoing humanitarian challenges, stressing the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and international support.

The pope’s remarks also extended to the homeless and migrants, reflecting his early papacy’s focus on caring for vulnerable communities. He reiterated that resolving long-standing conflicts, including the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian dispute, requires practical solutions such as the establishment of a Palestinian state, while urging all parties to work toward peace and humanitarian relief.

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Russia Intensifies Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa Region

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Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, targeting port infrastructure and causing widespread power outages, Ukrainian officials said. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described the strikes as “systematic,” warning that Moscow’s military focus may be shifting towards Odesa, a vital hub for Ukraine’s maritime trade. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the assaults aim to block Ukraine’s access to sea-based logistics.

In recent days, Russian drone and missile strikes have damaged civilian vessels, warehouses, and port facilities, disrupting electricity supplies for tens of thousands of residents. Regional authorities reported casualties, including deaths from a ballistic missile strike on the Pivdenniy port, while another attack temporarily cut the only bridge linking Odesa with Moldova. Fires at port facilities also destroyed large quantities of grain-related cargo, adding to economic losses.

Odesa has become strategically critical for Ukraine as other southern ports remain inaccessible due to Russian occupation. Despite the ongoing war, the city serves as a key launch point for a maritime corridor that allows Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea. Zelensky said continued Russian attacks show Moscow has no intention of ending its aggression, as diplomatic efforts led by the United States failed to make significant progress toward peace.

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EU Approves €90 Billion Loan for Ukraine, Sidesteps Use of Frozen Russian Assets

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European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan to support its military and economic needs over the next two years, following intense negotiations at a summit in Brussels. The funding will be backed by the EU’s common budget after member states failed to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets. European Council President Antonio Costa said the deal demonstrated unity and commitment, calling it a delivery on promises made to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pushed for the use of around €200 billion in frozen Russian assets, most of which are held in Belgium. However, concerns over legal risks and liability-sharing prevented agreement, with Belgium seeking guarantees that other EU countries were unwilling to provide. While expressing gratitude for the loan, Zelensky stressed that Russian assets should remain immobilised and said the support would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s resilience at a critical time.

The loan offers a vital lifeline as Ukraine faces a looming cash crunch, with EU estimates suggesting the country needs €135 billion over the next two years and could begin running short of funds by April. European leaders said the agreement avoided division within the bloc, while Germany’s Chancellor said it sent a strong signal to Moscow. The decision comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts, including upcoming US-Russia talks and continued discussions between Ukrainian and US officials on security guarantees.

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Turkish Car Ferry Hit by Air Strike at Ukraine’s Odesa Port

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A Turkish car ferry, Cenk T, was damaged in an air strike at the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Friday, triggering a major fire onboard. The vessel was anchored at Chornomorsk port when it was hit around 4:00 pm local time, according to operator Cenk Denizcilik. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed Russia for the attack, though Moscow has not commented on the incident.

The ferry was reportedly carrying essential food supplies when the strike occurred. Emergency response teams, including the ship’s crew, port firefighters and tugboats, were deployed to control the blaze, which broke out in the forward section of the vessel. The company confirmed there were no casualties or injuries among the crew. Video footage shared by Ukrainian authorities showed intense flames and efforts to douse the fire.

The attack came amid renewed diplomatic calls for a limited ceasefire covering ports and energy infrastructure, proposed earlier by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkey’s foreign ministry urged steps to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea and prevent further escalation. Later the same day, additional Russian strikes damaged port infrastructure in Odesa, knocking out power to thousands of homes and highlighting the continued risks to civilian and commercial facilities in the region.

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Zelenskiy Visits Kupiansk as Ukraine Claims Key Frontline Gains

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the frontline town of Kupiansk after Kyiv said its forces had retaken parts of the northeastern city and encircled Russian troops. In a video shared on social media, Zelenskiy appeared in a bulletproof vest near a sign marking the town, praising the operation and saying battlefield successes were crucial for strengthening Ukraine’s position in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Ukrainian military officials said troops had liberated several northern districts of Kupiansk, cutting off Russian supply routes and surrounding hundreds of enemy soldiers. The Khartiia Corps of Ukraine’s National Guard claimed Russian forces in the city were now completely isolated. These battlefield reports could not be independently verified, and Russia has not commented on the claims.

The developments come amid conflicting narratives over control of eastern Ukrainian towns, with Moscow asserting continued advances and Kyiv denying key losses. Open-source battlefield maps indicate Ukrainian control over multiple villages near Kupiansk and suggest Russian troops may be encircled in the city centre. The situation remains fluid as fighting continues across the region.

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Macron Stresses Need for U.S.–Europe Unity on Ukraine

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French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that unity between Europe and the United States remains crucial in supporting Ukraine. Speaking during a visit to China, Macron dismissed suggestions that he had questioned Washington’s commitment to Kyiv, insisting there was “no mistrust” and underscoring that transatlantic cooperation is vital on the issue.

Macron welcomed the peace efforts led by the U.S. but highlighted that Europe must play a leading role alongside Washington. He noted that the United States “needs Europeans to lead these peace efforts,” reinforcing his stance that a collaborative approach is required to secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

The comments followed a report published by Germany’s Spiegel, alleging that Macron and German Chancellor Scholz were skeptical of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Macron strongly denied the claims, stating that an enduring peace would only be possible through joint efforts by Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan. “There is no scenario,” he said, “where peace in Ukraine is achieved without shared responsibility.”

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Grief and Growing Pressure as Ukraine Faces Hard Choices in War

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Ukraine’s Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv is nearing capacity as the war with Russia approaches its fourth year, with more than 1,000 fallen soldiers already laid to rest. Families visiting the graves express a deep desire for peace, even if it means facing difficult compromises. For many, including parents who lost children, the scale of loss is overwhelming and heartbreaking.

As Russia advances in the east, the U.S.-backed peace proposal has intensified debate in Ukraine, with Washington urging Kyiv to consider concessions, including giving up territory still partly controlled by Ukrainian forces. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, however, has warned that Ukraine is facing its most challenging moment yet and insists he will not agree to a deal that undermines the country’s core interests.

Grief-stricken families are divided on the issue: some believe negotiations are necessary to stop further bloodshed, while others argue that yielding land dishonors the sacrifice of the fallen. Many, like 68-year-old Antonina Ryshko, whose son died fighting, reject any territorial compromise, questioning what their loved ones died for. With new burial grounds already being prepared, the human cost of the conflict remains painfully visible across the nation.

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Eight Men Get Life Sentences in Russia for Crimean Bridge Bombing

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A Russian court has sentenced eight men to life imprisonment for their involvement in the October 2022 bombing of the Crimean bridge, according to state news agency TASS. The explosion tore through part of the 19-km structure connecting Crimea to Russia’s Krasnodar region, killing five people and damaging what was then a crucial supply route for Russian military operations in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s domestic intelligence agency later claimed responsibility for the attack, which came eight years after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The sentencing underscores Moscow’s ongoing effort to impose harsh penalties for acts it considers terrorism or sabotage linked to the war.

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