Thursday, December 18, 2025

Russia-Ukraine war

Ukraine: International institutions are too weak to stop Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed the United Nations as a weak institution that is helpless in stopping war amid his country’s 3 1/2-year defense against Russian soldiers.

Shooting down Russian fighter jets ‘on the table’: EU chief

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that shooting down Russian warplanes entering NATO airspace is “on the table.”

US: Ukraine can win war against Russia, restore ‘original borders’

US President Donald Trump has argued Ukraine could win its war against Russia and regain the land it has lost and “maybe even go further than that,” suggesting the Russian army is a “paper tiger.”

NATO member states should shoot down Russian jets breaching airspace: Trump

US President Donald Trump has stated that NATO nations should shoot down Russian warplanes violating their territory, as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of a UN summit.

NATO’s chief to Russia: We’re ready for you

NATO acted "quickly and decisively" in response to several recent airspace violations by Russia, alliance chief Mark Rutte stated Tuesday, batting away criticism that the organization is ill-equipped to deal with growing provocations from Moscow.

Poland threatens to shoot down Russian aircraft

Poland would shoot down any Russian aircraft or missile that crosses into its airspace, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated during an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday.

Russia risking ‘direct armed confrontation’ with NATO: UK

British fighter jets are ready to “confront” Russian warplanes violating NATO airspace, the UK Foreign Secretary has told the United Nations, as she accused Moscow of risking “direct armed confrontation”.

US vows to ‘defend every inch of NATO territory’

Washington's new envoy to the United Nations has vowed to "defend every inch of NATO territory" as he addressed an emergency meeting over an incursion by Russian jets into Estonia's air space.

Hungary calls for deal to lower risk of war with Russia

Ending the Ukraine conflict would entirely diffuse the risk of escalation between NATO and Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview with TASS on Monday.

France warns against seizing frozen Russian assets

French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed back against the idea of seizing frozen Russian funds, warning that doing so could backfire on the West and undermine global stability and security.

Europe refutes key Trump demand over Ukraine war

The EU is not going to impose tariffs on imports from India and China in spite of US President Donald Trump’s request, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated in an interview with Le Soir.

Germany says NATO jets intercept Russian spy plane over Baltic Sea

NATO scrambled two Eurofighter jets over the Baltic Sea after a Russian reconnaissance aircraft was detected flying without a filed flight plan, the German Delegation to NATO has reported.

NATO ‘must respond accordingly, including militarily’ to Russian provocations: Czech President

NATO must remain united and respond decisively to Russian provocations, Czech President Petr Pavel has stated amid increased Russian violations of the alliance airspace.

NATO was ready to ‘use force’ against Russia: Estonia

NATO's response to Russia's latest provocation demonstrated that the alliance is prepared to use force if necessary, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has told Estonian media outlet ERR.

American senators introduce bill to send frozen Russian funds to Ukraine

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a bill that aims to send a portion of frozen Russian assets under Washington's control to Ukraine.

Security guarantees for Ukraine require readiness to fight Russia: Finland

Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, has stated that security guarantees for Ukraine, which are being discussed by the so-called “coalition of the willing”, would compel the European countries that sign to fight Russia if Moscow launched military action against Ukraine again in future.

Lithuania calls for shooting down Russian warplanes

NATO should shoot down Russian fighter jets, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene has stated. Her comments came after Estonia, Lithuania’s neighbor, accused Russia of violating its airspace – something that Moscow has denied.

US senators seek to sanction Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: FT

A bipartisan group of American senators plans to introduce legislation to tighten sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, the Financial Times has reported.

EU says to target India and China over ‘breaching Russia sanctions’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new package of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war, targeting “refiners, oil traders, [and] petrochemical companies in third countries, including China,” accused of helping Moscow bypass earlier restrictions.

Trump confirms US ‘making money’ from Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington is profiting from the Ukraine war, contrasting his approach with the unconditional military aid provided to Kiev by the previous administration.

Russia refutes violating Estonian airspace

The Russian Defense Ministry has issued a statement rejecting claims that its military aircraft violated Estonian airspace.

Trump says ‘not the right time’ to call for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has stated it is not the right time for him to call for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Zelensky ready to meet Russia’s Putin without preconditions except one

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he is ready to meet either with Russian President Vladimir Putin alone or together with US President Donald Trump, “without conditions” but rejected a proposal to travel to Moscow for talks.

Trump administration approves first Ukraine weapons aid funded by NATO allies: Reuters

The Donald Trump administration has approved its first U.S. arms aid packages for Ukraine funded by NATO allies under a new financial arrangement, two undisclosed sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Russia warns oil producers of possible output cuts after Ukrainian drone attacks: Reuters

Russia's state-owned oil pipeline monopoly Transneft has warned producers they may have to cut output after Ukrainian drone attacks damaged key export ports and refineries, three industry sources told Reuters.

Latest news