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Ukraine has visibly widened its campaign against Russian energy facilities in recent weeks
James C. Reynolds & Arpan RaiMonday 22 December 2025 02:56 GMT- Bookmark
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Peace talks between Russia and the USin Miami were “proceeding constructively” and set to continue on Sunday, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev said, concluding Saturday’s talks.
US negotiators met with Russian officials in Florida for the latest talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, as the Trump administration tries to coax an agreement out of both sides to end the conflict.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky meanwhile called for broader consultations with Kyiv’s European partners on Sunday, following talks between US and Ukrainian teams in Florida last week.
France said it was weighing how to move forward in restarting dialogue with Putin, after president Emmanuel Macron suggested that Europe would have to step up if US-led talks fail to yield a robust and lasting peace.
There was no indication of a lull in the conflict as Zelensky shared Ukraine’s assessment that Russia had launched some 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in the last week alone.
Ukraine also claimed to have struck a Russian warship and drilling facilities in the Caspian Sea during Kyiv’s latest maritime blitz against Putin’s ailing war machine.
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Key Points
- Ukraine 'hits Russian warship in the Caspian'
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- 'Alternatives to US support are uncertain,' Zelensky says
Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia's Krasnodar
At least two vessels and two piers were damaged as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region, authorities in the southern Russia region said today.
All crew on the ships at the Volna terminal in the region have been safely evacuated, the Krasnodar region’s operational headquarters said on the Telegram messaging app. The damage led to a fire spreading across up to 1,500 square metres (1,794 square yards), the authorities added.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 02:56‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern UkraineJames Reynolds22 December 2025 02:00In pictures: Aftermath of Russian strikes on Odesa
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike in Odesa (via REUTERS)
A truck burns at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa region (via REUTERS)James Reynolds21 December 2025 23:55Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Swedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters with engine problems overnight, the country’s customs service said on Sunday.
Sweden carried out an inspection of the cargo aboard the Adler, which is subject to both EU and US sanctions. Authorities declined to say what they found on board the ship.
The owners are also on the EU’s sanctions list, a spokesperson for the customs authority said.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 23:10Russia launches 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says
Ukraine’s president Zelensky said that Russia had launched approximately 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in the last week alone.
These included 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and 9 missiles of various types, he said.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 22:07Macron open to talks with Putin, casting doubt over progress in US-led talks
France is contemplating how to restart dialogue with Russia after Putin said he was open to talking to president Emmanuel Macron.
“It is welcome that the Kremlin has given its public approval to this approach. We will decide in the coming days on the best way to proceed,” the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.
France’s Macron could mediate with Russia (AFP via Getty Images)The shift in diplomacy comes just two days after Macron suggested Europe would have to step up and talk directly to Putin if US talks fail.
The latest round of talks to end the war have been ongoing since November, but clear sticking points remain around territory and security guarantees.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 21:06What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
The talks between Ukraine and the US have centred on Kyiv’s insistence that it needs security guarantees to end the war.
Ukraine also says it will not and legally cannot give up territory seized by Russia.
Moscow has shown no signs of backing down from its demands, however.
Russia opposes Europe putting boots on the ground to uphold peace in Ukraine when the war ends. That makes it tricky for Europe to offer tangible security guarantees.
Putin still demands territory from Ukraine, which Ukraine says it cannot give (AP)Russia has gone into talks this week publicly refusing to budge on claims to the Donbas, Crimea and land in the south.
The two sides are stuck in gridlock with Trump pressuring Kyiv to give up land for a peace deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ukraine’s leverage comes from Europe, which continues to offer funding and work on ‘security guarantees’.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 20:04‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern UkraineJames Reynolds21 December 2025 19:00ICYMI: Putin still wants all of Ukraine, US intelligence finds
US intelligence reports continue to warn that Putin has not abandoned his aims of taking all of Ukraine and parts of Europe, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said this week.
The reports present a starkly different picture from that painted by Donald Trump, who says Putin wants to end the conflict.
The intelligence also contradicts the Russian leader’s denials that he is a threat to Europe.
Putin on Friday said that he was ready to discuss peace (Reuters)The U.S. findings have been consistent since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022.
They largely align with the views of European leaders and spy agencies.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 18:00France to build Europe's largest ever warship, Macron confirms
France will build a new, larger and more modern aircraft carrier to replace the ageing Charles de Gaulle carrier, Macron confirmed today.
The programme, known as "Porte-Avions Nouvelle Génération" (PANG), is set to cost around 10.25 billion euros.
France says the new vessel will be operational by 2038, when the Charles de Gaulle is expected to retire. Work on nuclear propulsion components began last year.
France, the EU's only nuclear power, is among the few European nations owning an aircraft carrier alongside Britain, Italy and Spain.
The Charles de Gaulle earlier this year ( (AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan))James Reynolds21 December 2025 17:48Newer1 / 6OlderMore about
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