Russia launches ‘massive strike’ on Kyiv ahead of Zelensky-Trump meeting

Russia struck Kyiv with missiles and drones early Saturday, killing one and wounding 27, AP reported. Explosions hit energy and civilian infrastructure, leaving districts without power or heat.

By Ranjan Solomon

Europe’s moral collapse: Ukraine, NATO, and death of a civilization

The real tragedy of Europe is not that it makes mistakes, but that it refuses to learn from them

GOA - The European Union today presents itself as a defender of democracy, human rights, and international law. Yet nowhere is the hollowness of this claim more exposed than in Ukraine. The EU’s uncritical embrace of Volodymyr Zelensky—while condemning leaders like Nicolás Maduro as dictators - reveals not a principled commitment to democracy, but a selective morality rooted in power, obedience, and geopolitical convenience.

Ukraine says eight killed in Odesa; Russia cites only ‘transport and storage sites’

A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa in southern Ukraine killed eight people and wounded 27, AP reported Saturday, citing Ukraine’s emergency service, as a Kremlin envoy was set to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war.

EU agrees to loan Ukraine $105 billion after bid to use Russian assets fails

European Union leaders reached a deal early Friday on a $105 billion loan to keep Ukraine’s economy and military from a budgetary blackhole through 2027. While it didn’t come about in the way some of them wanted, the fact it came about at all has been hailed by top officials as a win for the bloc, CNN reported. 

Europe has adopted a posture of submission toward Trump: Foreign Affairs

‘By giving in to Trump on defense, trade, and democratic values, Europe has effectively bolstered far-right forces’

TEHRAN – In an article on December 12, Foreign Affairs magazine highlighted Europe’s submission to U.S. President Donald Trump in realms of security and trade that his administration’s endorsement of far-right parties in the continent.

Kremlin aide: No breakthrough in Russia-US Ukraine peace negotiations

Five hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and top United States negotiators did not yield a breakthrough on a possible Ukraine peace deal, a Kremlin aide said early Wednesday, CNN reported. 

Putin to meet Witkoff in Moscow

A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled for the afternoon of December 2, TASS reported Monday, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry: Over 600,000 without electricity after Russia’s overnight strike 

Russia has launched its largest barrage of drones and missiles in a month across Ukraine, killing at least three people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, CNN reported. 

U.S. presses Ukraine to accept troop cuts in Abu Dhabi talks

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll shuttled between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Abu Dhabi this week, reportedly pressing a peace framework that would slash Kyiv’s military to 800,000 troops—a concession that has intensified fears across Europe that Washington is trading Ukraine’s long-term security for a quick diplomatic win.

Kremlin: Russia yet to receive anything official from US on peace plan

Russia has said it is yet to receive anything official from the US on its peace plan, after Ukraine's Volodymr Zelensky said he was ready to work with the Trump administration on its "vision" to bring an end to the war, the BBC reported. 

Kyiv ablaze after overnight barrage as Ukraine and Russia trade long‑range strikes

A heavy overnight missile‑and‑drone barrage struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities late Thursday into Friday, igniting fires in residential areas, damaging energy facilities, and prompting rolling blackouts.

Zelensky fails to secure Tomahawk missiles at talks with Trump

President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have come away empty-handed from a White House meeting after US President Donald Trump indicated he was not ready to supply sought-after Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, the BBC reported. 

Foreign ministry summons Polish diplomat over unfounded drone allegations

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran to protest what it described as “false and meddlesome” remarks made by Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski during his recent visit to London.

Iran blasts UK-Japan defense chiefs for repeating Ukraine allegations

TEHRAN – The Iranian Embassy in Tokyo has condemned as “baseless” the allegations leveled against Tehran in a joint statement by the British and Japanese defense ministers, dismissing claims of Iranian support for Russia in the war with Ukraine.

WSJ: Pentagon restricts Ukraine's use of US missiles against Russia

The Pentagon has been quietly blocking Ukraine from using U.S.-made long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike targets inside Russia, limiting Kyiv's ability to employ these weapons in its defense against Moscow's invasion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.

Ukraine drone hits Russian nuclear plant, sparks huge fire at Novatek's Ust-Luga terminal

Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russia on Sunday, forcing a sharp fall in the capacity of a reactor at one of Russia's biggest nuclear power plants and sparking a huge blaze at the major Ust-Luga fuel export terminal, Russian officials said, Reuters reported.

Hungary and Slovakia demand EU action after Ukraine hits key oil pipeline again

Ukraine attacked the Druzhba pipeline for the third time, halting oil deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary. The European Commission has not reacted so far, but US President Donald Trump said he was very angry.

Zelenskyy and European leaders will meet with Trump on ending Russia’s war

Ukraine’s future could hinge on a hastily assembled White House meeting on Monday, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives with a high-profile group of European leaders to present a united front against Russia to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Spanish PM accuses EU of ‘double standards’

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused the EU of double standards, noting that the bloc imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict but has failed to take similar action against Israel for its war in Gaza.

First drone attack reported in Siberia

Several drones targeted a military installation in Irkutsk Region on Sunday in what authorities say is the first such attack in Siberia. Governor Igor Kobzev confirmed the strike and said the incident occurred near the settlement of Sredny, about 150 km from Lake Baikal and 70 km from the eponymous regional capital. 

After Trump call, Putin says ready to work on truce memorandum

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, have spoken on the phone for more than two hours amid efforts to reach a ceasefire deal in the war in Ukraine.

Russians and Ukrainians meet in Turkey for first talks in 3 years

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Istanbul on Friday at their first direct peace talks in more than three years, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two, Reuters reported.

Putin says open to direct talks with Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he is open to the possibility of bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time in years, as pressure from the United States builds on both sides to agree to a quick peace deal, CNN reported.

Putin declares Easter ceasefire in Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced an Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin, Al Jazeera reported.