Europe

Trump’s envoy to meet Zelensky, European leaders over US peace plan: WSJ

U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and European leaders in Brussels over the weekend as discussions on Washington-proposed peace framework aimed at ending Russia's war continue, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported.

EU indefinitely freezes Russian funds, moves closer to financial lifeline for Ukraine

The European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank reserves, moving the bloc a step closer to securing a financial lifeline to Ukraine as the war heads into its fourth year.

Turkish-owned vessels damaged in Russian attack on Ukrainian ports

Russia has attacked two Ukrainian ports, damaging three Turkish-owned vessels, including a ship carrying food supplies, according to Ukrainian officials and a shipowner.

European states step up opposition to seizing Russian funds: Politico

Italy, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Malta have urged the EU to explore alternatives to seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, Politico Europe has reported, citing an internal document.

British banks oppose EU push to steal frozen Russian funds: FT

British bankers have pushed back against plans to use the frozen Russian assets they hold to fund a loan for Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported.

Trump claims everyone in Ukraine except Zelensky ‘loved’ US peace plan

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Ukrainian people supported his peace proposal, which was rejected by Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine says referendum on territorial concessions necessary

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated the country may hold a referendum on territorial concessions ahead of any peace deal with Moscow. Kiev has previously ruled out any recognition of former Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.

US secretly planning five-nation club including Russia to sideline G7: Report

The US is secretly planning to create a five-nation power bloc with Russia, China, India and Japan to sideline the Western-dominated G7, according to reports.

US House passes $800mn aid package for Ukraine through 2027

The US House of Representatives has passed a defense spending bill that would provide $800 million in military assistance to Kiev through 2027.

Iceland becomes fifth state to boycott Eurovision 2026 over Israel participation

Iceland has become the fifth country to boycott next year’s Eurovision song contest after Israel was given the go-ahead to compete, deepening the crisis facing the competition.

Ukraine sends revised peace plan to US: AFP

Ukraine has sent Washington an updated plan for ending Russia's war, Ukrainian officials has told AFP, as US President Donald Trump laid into European leaders in the latest sign of a growing transatlantic rift.

Italy pushes Ukraine leader on ‘painful concessions’: Report

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni believes Vladimir Zelensky will have to accept “painful concessions” to achieve peace with Russia, Corriere della Sera has reported.

Only 20% of Ukrainians would vote for Zelensky following corruption scandal: Survey

Only 20.3% of Ukrainians would vote for President Volodymyr Zelensky in future presidential elections, according to a poll by Info Sapiens. However, he remains the most popular candidate, according to the poll.

EU says Trump’s comments ‘provocation’

US President Donald Trump’s criticisms of the EU are a “provocation”, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas has cautioned.

Trump gives Zelensky ‘days’ to respond to Ukraine peace plan: FT

US negotiators have given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky days to respond to a peace proposal requiring Kiev to accept territorial losses to Russia in exchange for unspecified security guarantees, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Zelensky sets conditions for elections in Ukraine

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he is ready to call an election if the West can guarantee safety from Russian strikes.

Russia will achieve all its goals in Ukraine war: Putin

Moscow will achieve all its goals set out in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday.

Zelensky should hold elections: Trump

US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine to hold elections, questioning the country’s democratic credentials in an interview with Politico published on Tuesday.

France won’t let EU seize chunk of frozen Russian assets: FT 

France does not want to seize frozen Russian state funds held in private French banks, the Financial Times has reported, citing sources.

Germany warns of Russia threat to 2026 regional polls

Germany’s domestic spy chief has warned that Russia could step up sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns next year when the EU’s top economy, a strong backer of Ukraine, holds several regional elections.

Israel biggest killer of journalists worldwide for 3 years running: RSF

Reporters Without Borders reported on Tuesday that Israel was responsible for nearly half of all journalists killed this year worldwide, with 29 Palestinian reporters slain by its forces in Gaza. In its annual report, the Paris-based media freedom group added the total number of journalists killed reached 67 globally this year, slightly up from the 66 killed in 2024.

No agreement reached with Trump on Ukraine’s territory: Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that no compromise was reached with US negotiators over Ukraine’s borders.

US must not threaten EU democracy: Brussels

The US must not threaten to interfere in the EU’s “democratic life”, European Council President Antonio Costa has stressed, adding that Brussels and Washington no longer share a common worldview.

EU looking at options for enhancing Lebanon’s internal security forces: Document

The European Union is studying options for strengthening Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the armed group Hezbollah, according to a document seen by Reuters.

Europe may need to shoot down Russian aircraft, drones violating NATO airspace: Czech president

European countries may have to start shooting down Russian aircraft and drones that violate NATO airspace if Moscow keeps testing the alliance's resolve, Czech President Petr Pavel has stated in an interview with the Sunday Times of London.

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