Ukraine, EU officials dismiss alleged attack on Putin residence
Ukrainian and European officials have rejected Moscow's claims that Ukraine targeted a personal residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin with a d...
Efforts to revive Ukraine peace negotiations in London encountered challenges after a high-level U.S. official cancelled his visit, highlighting differences between the United States, Ukraine, and Europe.
Officials from the United States, Ukraine, and Europe met in London for talks aimed at restarting the peace process regarding the conflict in Ukraine. However, the absence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led to the cancellation of a wider meeting with European foreign ministers, reflecting differing perspectives among the participants.
The meetings came amid recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that continued U.S. involvement would depend on progress being made. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had previously presented proposals in Paris, which diplomats said included significant compromises from Ukraine.
British officials said that despite Rubio’s absence, technical discussions continued and were described as substantive. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting efforts for a just and lasting peace.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that the parties involved would need to make mutual concessions for the negotiations to succeed. His comments suggested that changes in territorial control could be part of a potential resolution, though no details were confirmed officially.
Ukrainian officials expressed concerns about some elements of the proposals. Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko emphasised that Ukraine would not engage in territorial negotiations without a full ceasefire. Kyiv reaffirmed its position on maintaining sovereignty and resisting any proposal that could lead to a prolonged or unresolved conflict.
Talks between European and Ukrainian representatives continued in parallel. British ministers met with Ukrainian officials and the U.S. envoy to discuss further steps. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, noted Ukraine’s participation in the discussions and reiterated its support for diplomatic efforts.
Key points of contention remain, including issues related to territorial integrity, the status of Crimea, and potential sanctions relief for Russia. Diplomats stated that negotiations are ongoing and no formal agreements have been reached.
The Russian radio station known as 'Doomsday Radio' (or UVB-76) unexpectedly began playing ‘Swan Lake’, music from a ballet composition. The last time this was done was during the deaths of Soviet-era leaders and the 1991 coup.
Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in demanding government action. With inflation above 42% and the rial at record lows, unrest continues to grow across the country.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, rising casualties, economic struggles, and mounting unrest expose cracks in society. Despite Kremlin propaganda, frustration is growing as more Russians question the government’s narrative, according to The Washington Post.
The head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has ordered all forces linked to the United Arab Emirates to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
European leaders held talks on Ukraine after Russia said it would revise its negotiating position, citing an alleged Ukrainian drone attack that Kyiv has firmly denied.
Senior officials from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, met in Beijing this week for talks with Chinese counterparts, marking a rare in-person engagement between the four-nation grouping and China amid heightened strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Ukrainian and European officials have rejected Moscow's claims that Ukraine targeted a personal residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin with a drone attack this week, an incident that threatens to disrupt U.S.-led peace negotiations heading into the new year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his New Year address to the nation, said that Ukraine wanted the war to end, but not at any cost, adding he would not sign a "weak" peace agreement that would only prolong the war.
People around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the new year to come. Midnight arrived first on the islands closest to the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean, including Kiritimati, Tonga and New Zealand.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran’s answer to any aggression will be decisive and “discouraging” and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged his counterparts to strongly denounce US President Donald Trump’s recent threat of military strike against Iran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment