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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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Von der Leyen Warns Russia Shows “No Real Intent” for Peace as Diplomatic Tensions Rise

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia has “no real intent” to engage in peace talks, calling the Ukraine war “volatile” and “dangerous” during an address to the European Parliament. Her remarks came just before the Kremlin labelled peace-deal discussions as “premature”, even as the US intensifies mediation efforts in Geneva and Abu Dhabi. Ukraine has agreed to the “essence” of a revised peace proposal, though major disagreements with Moscow remain.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed the need for robust security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. She also highlighted ongoing debates over the €210bn in frozen Russian assets held in Europe. While Belgium and several EU nations fear legal and financial risks in reallocating these funds to Kyiv, she insisted such concerns should not dictate Europe’s response. EU leaders are expected to decide on the issue in late December.

Meanwhile, European governments voiced frustration at being left out of recent US-led peace initiatives, including a 28-point plan criticised for favouring Russia. Despite calls from EU and NATO leaders to be included in future negotiations, Moscow has dismissed their involvement as unnecessary. As the US continues “shuttle diplomacy”, Zelensky seeks a direct meeting with President Trump to address key areas of disagreement, while Trump has expressed willingness to meet both sides only when a near-final deal is in place.

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Ukrainian Soldiers Divided Over US Draft Peace Plan: Anger, Defiance and Reluctant Acceptance

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Frontline Ukrainian soldiers have reacted sharply to a leaked draft US peace proposal, expressing a mix of anger, defiance and reluctant acceptance. Speaking to the BBC via social media and email, several troops rejected the idea of conceding territory and limiting military strength. Yaroslav, serving in eastern Ukraine, said the plan “sucks… no one will support it,” while an army medic known as Shtutser called it an “absolutely disgraceful draft.” Another soldier, Matros, said the proposals undermine years of sacrifice and would “disregard the lives of fallen soldiers and civilians.”

One of the most contentious elements of the draft is the suggestion that Ukraine give up control of the entire Donbas region, parts of which it has defended since 2014. Snake, a soldier on the front line, argued that abandoned and devastated towns are no longer worth prolonged loss of life, saying “let them take it.” However, others insist surrendering territory would nullify everything the country has fought for. The proposal also suggests reducing Ukraine’s armed forces from more than 800,000 to 600,000 troops, a move some say could weaken national security, although others argue it is necessary for economic recovery and peace.

Security guarantees and political reforms remain key areas of debate. The draft rules out NATO membership but pledges US assurances if Russia launches another attack, while also proposing fresh elections within 100 days of war’s end. Some troops express mistrust in both Europe and the US, doubting their ability to protect Ukraine. Yet despite widespread frustration and dissatisfaction, one message is clear: many are exhausted by the prolonged conflict and would support any plan capable of ending the war. As soldier Andrii put it, “If it stops the war, then it works for me.”

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Rubio Calls Geneva Talks on Ukraine Peace Plan the ‘Best Meeting So Far’

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that closed-door peace discussions in Geneva on Sunday marked major progress towards a draft U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters after meeting a Ukrainian delegation, Rubio described the session as the most productive since the administration took office, calling it “probably the best meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process.”

The talks are ongoing in Geneva and involve collaborative efforts to refine joint proposals, with participation expected from European partners. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called the discussions “very productive,” confirming that another round of meetings would continue later on the same day. He expressed appreciation for U.S. support and diplomatic engagement.

Yermak publicly thanked the United States and President Donald Trump for their commitment to pursuing peace, echoing Zelenskiy’s earlier message of gratitude. The acknowledgment followed recent comments by Trump on social media suggesting Kyiv had shown insufficient appreciation for U.S. assistance. Both sides signaled optimism about advancing negotiations that could shape the next phase of diplomatic efforts.

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G7 and EU Leaders Hold Side Talks on US-Backed Ukraine Peace Plan at G20 Summit

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Group of Seven leaders and senior European officials, including EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, held closed-door discussions on Saturday regarding Washington’s proposed peace framework for Ukraine. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, according to people familiar with the talks. Ahead of the broader conversation, the E3 group—France, Britain and Germany—convened separately to align positions.

The talks included several other European nations such as Finland, Norway, Spain and the Netherlands. The United States is currently negotiating a 28-point roadmap with Russia aimed at ending the conflict, but Brussels has not been directly involved in the negotiations so far. Von der Leyen said she plans to reach out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after the developments.

Zelenskiy responded that Ukraine is ready for “constructive, honest and prompt” engagement with Washington. Meanwhile, Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, confirmed that Ukrainian and US officials are holding consultations in Switzerland to work on potential pathways to ending the war.

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Poland Accuses Russia of Crossing a Dangerous Line with Sabotage Acts

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Russia of orchestrating sabotage operations designed to destabilise Poland, calling the actions a form of “state terrorism”. His statement follows an explosion that damaged key railway tracks on the Warsaw–Lublin line over the weekend—a route linking Poland’s capital to the Ukrainian border. Tusk described the incident as an unprecedented assault on national security.

Authorities have identified two Ukrainian nationals as those responsible for the attack, alleging they collaborated with Russian intelligence before fleeing to Belarus. In response, Poland has requested their extradition, closed the last operating Russian consulate in Gdansk, and deployed thousands of soldiers to protect strategic infrastructure across the country.

Moscow has rejected the accusations and labelled Poland’s actions “Russophobia”, saying it will restrict Polish diplomatic presence in Russia. The explosion comes amid a broader increase in arson, sabotage, and cyberattacks across Europe since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, intensifying concerns about hybrid warfare tactics.

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Zelensky Signals Openness to US Plan for Ending Ukraine War

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is prepared to work with the United States on what he called “their vision” for ending the war with Russia, following reports of a leaked draft peace proposal shaped during meetings between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev. The plan, which has drawn global attention, suggests Ukraine would cede parts of the Donetsk region still under its control, reduce the size of its military, and commit not to join NATO—terms Kyiv has previously rejected.

The White House insists Ukraine has been included in discussions, pushing back against criticism that negotiations happened behind its back. The draft emerged as Russia reported small territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and as Zelensky faces a domestic political crisis linked to a $100 million corruption scandal. In a televised address, Zelensky confirmed that US military officials had presented points of a peace proposal in Kyiv, stressing that Ukraine seeks a “real peace… one that will not be broken by a third invasion.”

The plan has triggered concern among European leaders, who say they were excluded from early talks. Germany’s foreign minister described the US proposal as only a “list of topics and options” rather than a complete agreement. While Washington claims the draft is balanced and acceptable to both sides, Kyiv maintains that any peace must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and dignity. The debate unfolds as fighting continues, including recent deadly Russian attacks in Zaporizhzhia and Ternopil, and as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches.

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