Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday to discuss the progress made by U.S. President Donald Trump in ceasefire talks with Russia, with both leaders emphasising the importance of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday evening, focusing on the progress made by U.S. President Donald Trump towards a ceasefire agreement with Russia, according to Downing Street.
In the conversation, Starmer reiterated Britain’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine and discussed the latest developments regarding the ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy, in turn, provided an update on the situation along the frontline, where the war continues to wreak havoc on both nations.
The talks come shortly after a major development in the ceasefire negotiations, as Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. However, he stopped short of endorsing the full 30-day ceasefire that Trump had hoped would serve as the first step toward a permanent peace deal.
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine would support the scaled-back agreement, which would require both Russia and Ukraine to refrain from targeting each other’s energy infrastructure for the next 30 days.
“I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians,” Zelenskyy told reporters during an online briefing following the call.
The ceasefire, while a step towards de-escalation, has failed to bring about a full halt to hostilities. Zelenskyy’s office reported ongoing attacks despite the temporary pause on energy strikes, with both sides accusing each other of escalating the conflict further.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war has devastated vast areas of the country, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties and the displacement of millions of people. Entire towns have been reduced to rubble, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
Starmer’s office emphasised Britain’s commitment to achieving a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, acknowledging the progress made through the diplomatic efforts led by Trump.
While the U.S. president’s diplomatic efforts have sparked cautious optimism, the path to a comprehensive ceasefire remains fraught with challenges. The ongoing violence and territorial disputes between the two nations make any resolution elusive, though international pressure continues to build for a meaningful and long-term ceasefire agreement.
As discussions progress, attention will remain focused on the next steps in peace talks, with the possibility of further engagement between Ukraine, Russia, and key international stakeholders in the coming days.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
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