The Trump administration has denied pressuring Kyiv into agreeing a rapid peace deal with Russia despite the US president setting a Christmas deadline.
During a two-hour call US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly told Volodymyr Zelensky that the President wanted to see a peace deal agreed “by Christmas”.
Ukrainian negotiators say they have not been given sufficient details on security guarantees from Washington, and that no compromise has been reached on one of the critical sticking points - territory.
Washington previously pushed Kyiv to cede the entire Donbas - including areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions which it still controls. Kyiv has repeatedly ruled this out.
Unnamed officials in Washington now insist that they are not pushing Kyiv into a deal which it dislikes, and that the goal is an agreement which ensures Ukraine’s sovereignty and defends it for the long term, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky has said he is willing to hold wartime elections within three months if the US and Kyiv's other allies would guarantee security of the vote, after Trump accused Kyiv of using the war as an excuse to avoid elections.
Read MoreKeir Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in ‘tragic accident’ in Ukraine
Pope Leo criticizes Trump for trying to ‘break apart’ US-European alliance
Zelensky turns to WhatsApp as he’s forced to improvise to get his message out on busy 36-hour trip
Key Points
- Trump sets new Christmas deadline for Ukraine peace deal
- Trump administration denies pressuring Kyiv to accept peace deal - report
- Europe must play a central role in ending Ukraine war, says Pope Leo
- Trump says 'decaying' European nations failed to end Ukraine war
- Ukraine reclaims large parts of key city Pokrovsk
- Zelensky reaffirms his refusal to cede land to Russia
In pictures: Ukrainian troop searches for residents in war-torn frontline town of Dobropilia
09:20 , Alex Croft Trump administration denies pressuring Kyiv to accept peace deal
08:56 , Alex CroftOfficials in the Trump administration have denied that they are pushing Kyiv into accepting a deal which it dislikes, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
The officials said the goal is an agreement which is acceptable to both sides, ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and that it is defended in the long term.
They pointed to the direct negotiations between the head of Ukraine’s peace delegation Rustem Umerov and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as evidence of Washington’s commitments to Kyiv.
But it comes amid reports that Donald Trump wants a peace deal to be agreed by Christmas, a message reportedly conveyed by Witkoff and Kushner in a two-hour phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky.
The issue of territory also remains a sticking point in negotiations, with the US trying but failing to convince Kyiv to give up parts of the Donbas - the area including the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions - which it already controls.
One senior European official said the Americans “want quick results”, but questioned, “with the complexity of the issues on the table, how we can have quick results”.
Russia launches 80 drones at Ukraine overnight
08:47 , Alex CroftThe Ukrainian Air Force has just issued its daily update, where it revealed Russia launched 80 drones at Ukraine in an overnight attack.
A total of 50 of these are believed to have been shot down, while another 29 hit their targets across seven locations, the air force said.
Drones were launched from the areas of Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Millerovo in Russia, and the Chauda training ground in occupied Crimea, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
As of Wednesday morning, the overnight drone attack was still ongoing, the air force reported.
Denmark facing more external threats than it has done in years - military intelligence
08:12 , Alex CroftDenmark faces more external threats than it has done in many years amid rising geopolitical conflicts and doubts over US commitment to Europe's security, the Nato country's military intelligence agency (FE) said on Wednesday.
"The world's reat powers are increasingly prioritising their own interests and using force to achieve their goals," FE said in its annual report, naming Russia and China among the nations posing challenges to Denmark.
Moscow's war against Ukraine is particularly shaping the security development, the agency added.
"At the same time, uncertainty has arisen about the role of the United States as a guarantor of European security, and this will increase Russia's willingness to intensify its hybrid attacks against," FE said.
"The military threat from Russia to Nato will increase, even though there is currently no threat of a regular military attack against the Kingdom of Denmark," it added.
Russian oil refinery halted operations after Ukrainian strike - report
08:10 , Alex CroftRussia’s Syzran oil refinery was forced to halt operations 5 December sustaining damage in a Ukrainian drone attack, Reuters reported on 9 December, citing sources in the industry.
The drones hit the refinery’s crude distillation unit, which required two weeks of repair when struck in August. Repair work for the latest strike could take up to a month.
Kyiv’s military said the operation intended to "reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor”.
The oil refinery is located around 700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and belongs to the state-owned oil company Rosneft. Ukraine has been targeting Russia’s oil as it looks to hamper the key driver behind Moscow’s war economy.
One killed and two injured in Dnipropetrovsk overnight
07:54 , Alex CroftOne person was killed and two injured in Russian strikes on the Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, according to regional authorities.
A man was killed in the Zelenodolsk area in the Kryvyi Rih district, according to Vladyslav Haivanenko, acting head of the Dnipropetrovsk military administration.
Two men, aged 23 and 39, were injured, he said on Telegram, adding that “the enemy attacked the settlement with an FPV drone” and “damaged a gas pipeline”.
The city of Nikopol and the Marhanets, Pokrovske and Chervonohryhorivka areas were also struck, he said.
Trump says 'decaying' European nations failed to end Ukraine war
07:15 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has called Europe a “decaying” group of nations led by “weak” people who failed to end the war in Ukraine and control migration.
“I think they’re weak,” Trump said, refering to Europe’s political leaders in an interview with Politico. “But I also think that they want to be so politically correct.”
“I think they don’t know what to do,” he added. “Europe doesn’t know what to do,” Trump said in an interview given at the White House on Monday.
Trump offered no reassurance to Europeans on backing Ukraine and declared that Russia was obviously in a stronger position than its smaller neighbour.
Trump also said that he put little stock in the role of European leaders in seeking to end the war: “They talk, but they don’t produce, and the war just keeps going on and on.”
Europe must play a central role in ending Ukraine war, says Pope Leo
07:10 , Arpan RaiEurope must play a central role in efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Pope Leo said, warning that any peace plan sidelining the continent is "not realistic”.
Hours after meeting Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, the pontiff said Europe's unity was "significant, especially in this case," and called on leaders to seize what he described as a great opportunity to work together for a just peace.
“The war is in Europe," he said, stressing that security guarantees must involve Europe. He lamented that "not everyone understands this," but insisted European countries be part of any negotiations to end the nearly four-year-old conflict.
The pope said recent remarks targeting Europe risked weakening ties that remain crucial. "I think they are trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future," he said.
Zelensky turns to WhatsApp as he’s forced to improvise to get his message out on busy 36-hour trip
06:40 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was forced to improvise mid-flight in order to get his message out during a whirlwind 36-hour trip across Europe this week.
For the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of his country, Zelensky — who usually takes reporters’ questions in person while trotting the globe — communicated with the news media via group chat.
While flying between London and Brussels, he answered a long list of questions from reporters, relaying audio clips on WhatsApp.
His chosen mode of communication was, if not unprecedented, at the very least extremely rare for a world leader.
The low drone of the aircraft blended with his hoarse, tired-sounding voice, yet his message cut through clearly: Amid uncertain negotiations to end the war, Ukraine, he said, cannot surrender land.
Keir Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in ‘tragic accident’ in Ukraine
07:19 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a member of the British armed forces who has been killed in Ukraine.
The prime minister expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said: “It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.
“He was injured in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.
“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”
Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in Ukraine ‘tragic accident’
Ukraine reclaims large parts of key city Pokrovsk
06:03 , Arpan RaiUkraine has regained almost half of the key strategic city of Pokrovsk, the country’s military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Syrskyi, quoted by public broadcaster Suspilne, said Ukrainian forces had made gains from mid-November. Russia's military last week said its forces had captured Pokrovsk, but Ukrainian officials denied the claim.
“The defence of Pokrovsk continues," Syrskyi said yesterday, adding that Ukrainian forces have reclaimed about 13 sq km (5 square miles) of the city's total 29 sq km (11 square miles) since mid-November.
“We are continuing to hold the northern part of the city, approximately up to the rail line. In addition, to the west of Pokrovsk, we have cleared and controlled about 54 sq km.”
Russian troops, he said, were staging a build-up in the area under cover of rain and fog.
“Initially, in autumn, our troops were not present in Pokrovsk as our possibilities were limited. But from November 15 as a result of offensive action, we secured about 13 sq km (5 sq miles)," Syrskyi said.
Kyiv's European allies says push for peace at 'critical stage' now
05:25 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly backed Ukraine after their talks on Monday, with the UK leader saying that the push for peace was at a "critical stage".
Sir Keir stressed the need for "a just and lasting ceasefire”.
Merz, meanwhile, said he was "skeptical" about some details in documents released by the US.
“We have to talk about it. That's why we are here," he said. "The coming days — could be a decisive time for all of us.” he said.
European leaders are working to ensure that any ceasefire is backed by solid security guarantees both from Europe and the US to deter Russia from attacking again. US president Donald Trump has not given explicit guarantees in public.
Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies have repeatedly accused Russian president Vladimir Putin of dragging out the talks while he presses ahead with his invasion.
Zelensky reaffirms Ukraine will not cede land to Russia
05:03 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has reaffirmed his strong refusal to cede any territory, resisting US pressure for painful concessions to Russia.
“Undoubtedly, Russia insists for us to give up territories. We, clearly, don't want to give up anything. That's what we are fighting for," Zelensky told reporters in a WhatsApp chat late on Monday.
“Do we consider ceding any territories? According to the law we don't have such right," he said. "According to Ukraine's law, our constitution, international law, and to be frank, we don't have a moral right either,” he said.
In an interview with Politico released yesterday, US president Donald Trump pressed Zelensky to accept the US proposal that Ukraine cede territory to Russia, Trump has wrongfully argued Moscow has the "upper hand" in its nearly 4-year-old invasion, and that Zelensky's government must "play ball”.
Vladimir Putin’s forces have not made any significant territorial gains, the Institute for the Study of War said.
“Russian forces have gained 0.77 percent of Ukrainian territory since the start of 2025 while suffering disproportionately high personnel costs,” the think tank said in an update last night.
NEW: The Kremlin is significantly intensifying its cognitive warfare effort to present the Russian military and economy as able to inevitably win a war of attrition against Ukraine. ⬇️
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 10, 2025
The Kremlin’s cognitive warfare effort aims to achieve several of Putin’s original war aims… pic.twitter.com/zXxCKrI06x
Watch: Starmer reiterates support for Ukraine as Zelensky meets European allies at Downing Street
04:59 , Arpan RaiTrump sets new Christmas deadline for Ukraine peace deal
04:34 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky has been told by Donald Trump that Ukraine has until Christmas to accept his deal to end the war with Russia.
The latest deadline was relayed to the Ukrainian president by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner during a two-hour phone call, reported The Telegraph.
The Trump administration has resumed its efforts to pressure Ukraine into ceding territory to Russia in exchange for undefined security guarantees, Ukrainian officials were quoted as saying.
Ukrainian negotiators have said they feel like they have not been offered sufficient details about potential security guarantees from Washington in order to decide on the matter of giving up territory, which they have always held as a non-negotiable in the peace talks.
Keir Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in ‘tragic accident’ in Ukraine
03:52 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a member of the British armed forces who has been killed in Ukraine.
The prime minister expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said: “It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9.
“He was injured in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines.
“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”
Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in Ukraine ‘tragic accident’
UK armed forces member dies in Ukraine after 'tragic accident'
03:32 , Arpan RaiA member of the UK armed forces in Ukraine has died in an accident, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday.
“It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK Armed Forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday 9 December," the MoD said in a statement.
“He was injured in a tragic accident whilst observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability, away from the front lines.
“The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time."
The UK has sent a “small number of personnel” to Ukraine to train local forces, according to the government’s previous reports, and they do not perform frontline roles.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence. pic.twitter.com/ChouhKNZSl
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 9, 2025
Trump says 'decaying' European nations failed to end Ukraine war
03:22 , Arpan RaiDonald Trump has called Europe a “decaying” group of nations led by “weak” people who failed to end the war in Ukraine and control migration.
“I think they’re weak,” Trump said, refering to Europe’s political leaders in an interview with Politico. “But I also think that they want to be so politically correct.”
“I think they don’t know what to do,” he added. “Europe doesn’t know what to do,” Trump said in an interview given at the White House on Monday.
Trump offered no reassurance to Europeans on backing Ukraine and declared that Russia was obviously in a stronger position than its smaller neighbour.
Trump also said that he put little stock in the role of European leaders in seeking to end the war: “They talk, but they don’t produce, and the war just keeps going on and on.”
Pope criticises US bid to 'break apart' US-Europe alliance
03:00 , Arpan RaiPope Leo XIV has called for Europe to have a role in any Ukraine peace deal and criticised what he said was the Trump administration's effort to "break apart" the long-standing US-European alliance.
Leo spoke to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on another tour to rally European support for Kyiv. The American pope said they discussed the need for a ceasefire and the Vatican's efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken by Russian authorities.
Leo was asked about the US peace proposal and the seeming sidelining of European powers in the process.
Speaking as he left his vacation home in Castel Gandolfo, Leo insisted that Europe's role was crucial to any deal.
“Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe," he said.
"Guarantees are also being sought for security today and in the future. Europe must be part of this, and unfortunately not everyone understands this, but I think there is a great opportunity for European leaders to unite and seek a solution together,” he said.
Zelensky uses Whatsapp group chat to answer questions
02:30 , Shaheena UddinThe Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy had no time to hold a traditional news conference during a 36-hour trip across Europe this week, so he improvised.
Whilst the president usually answers reporters’ questions in person, he communicated with the news media via Whatsapp group chat.
Whilst flying between London and Brussels, he responded to a long list of questions from Ukrainian and international reporters by relaying voice notes on WhatsApp.
His unprecedented chosen mode of communication was extremely rare for a world leader.
In pictures: Zelensky meets Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican
02:00 , Shaheena Uddin Keir Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in ‘tragic accident’ in Ukraine
01:30 , Shaheena UddinThe prime minister expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Starmer pays tribute to member of UK armed forces killed in Ukraine ‘tragic accident’
Zelensky reaffirms his refusal to cede land to Russia
01:00 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had reiterrated his refusal to cede any territory to Russia, resisting pressure from the U.S.
This comes as the president is rallying to gain more European support during the war efforts.
President Zelensky told reporters: “Undoubtedly, Russia insists for us to give up territories. We, clearly, don’t want to give up anything. That’s what we are fighting for.”
“Do we consider ceding any territories? According to the law we don’t have such right," he said.
"According to Ukraine’s law, our constitution, international law, and to be frank, we don’t have a moral right either."
Oil prices ease by 1 per cent amidst Ukraine peace talks
00:30 , Shaheena UddinOil prices fell on Tuesday after lowering 2 per cent in the previous session, as investors keep a close eye on peace talks to bring an end to the war.
Ukraine are set to share a revised peace plan with the U.S after conducting talks in London between President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of France, Germany and Britain.
Explainer: What to know about the massive defense bill that seeks release of boat strike videos and more
00:00 , Shaheena UddinThe White House legislation authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to be sent to Ukraine.
What to know about the massive defense bill that seeks release of boat strike videos and more
Ukrainian troops hold part of Pokrovsk but withdraw from some positions
Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:30 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian troops have been holding parts of the beleaguered city of Pokrovsk since mid-November.
However, some units were ordered to withdraw from impractical positions outside the city in the past week, according to Ukraine's top commander.
"We are continuing to hold the northern part of the city, approximately up to the rail line. In addition, to the west of Pokrovak we have cleared and control about 54 sq. km," Oleksandr Syrskyi, told Ukrainian journalists, as reported by public broadcaster Suspiilne.
Zelensky says he is open to holding a wartime election after Trump's criticism
Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:23 , Shaheena UddinUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he was willing to hold wartime elections within three months if the U.S. and Kyiv's other allies would guarantee security of the vote .
This comes as Zelensky is facing renewed pressure from U.S. president Trump over holding an election, after his term expired last year.
Wartime elections are currently forbidden by law, but in an interview with Politico, Trump suggested Ukraine's government was using the war as an excuse to avoid elections.
Mr Trump said: "You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore.”
Trump is also pushing Kyiv to secure peace quickly as the war with Russia reaches its fourth year.
Zelensky said in comments to reporters: "I'm ready for elections, and moreover I ask...that the U.S. help me, maybe together with European colleagues, to ensure the security of an election,"
"And then in the next 60-90 days Ukraine will ready to hold an election."
'Ukraine must decide its own future', Yvette Cooper said
Tuesday 9 December 2025 23:00 , Shaheena UddinThe foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “Ultimately, Ukraine’s future has to be for Ukraine, and the things that we have discussed, that Secretary Rubio has set out as well, is the importance of having a just and lasting peace, so that Russia is deterred and cannot simply come again, but also so we support the strength and sovereignty of Ukraine.
“That’s why all of the discussions are taking place.
“But ultimately it’s again, as I said in the speech, two presidents are working for peace, and one president – President Putin – has so far simply sought to escalate the conflict with further drone and missile attacks.”
Video: Starmer reiterates support for Ukraine as Zelensky meets European allies at Downing Street
Tuesday 9 December 2025 22:30 , Shaheena UddinYvette Cooper countered Trump's remarks about European nations "decaying"
Tuesday 9 December 2025 22:00 , Shaheena UddinYvette Cooper responded to Donald Trump’s comments that Europe’s nations are “decaying” and have “weak leaders”.
The foreign secretary said: “What I see in Europe is strength: The strength and commitment to the support for Ukraine and also strength to step up to the plate and to ensure that we are increasing our investment in defence, and also ensure that we are doing our bit through the coalition of the willing, as well as through investment in military support and the energy infrastructure support that Ukraine needs.”
Starmer leads tributes to British armed forces member killed in Ukraine
Tuesday 9 December 2025 21:30 , Shaheena UddinSir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a British armed forced member who was killed in Ukraine.
The prime minister expressed his “deepest sympathy and condolences” for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence.
He shared on social media: “My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our armed forces who sadly lost their life today.
“Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
How Trump’s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was whittled down - with several key changes
Tuesday 9 December 2025 20:54 , Maira ButtUkraine is to present a revised peace plan to President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday after weeks of negotiations which have failed to produce an agreement.
The latest iteration of the deal comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky remained firm in his refusal to cede crucial strategic territory to Russia.
The Ukrainian leader insisted that he had “no legal right to do so” under Ukrainian or international law and no “moral right either”.
How Trump’s 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was whittled down to 20 points
Comment: Donald Trump is selling out his allies while he still has time
Tuesday 9 December 2025 20:26 , Maira ButtWe’ve heard a lot over the past few weeks and, indeed, for about a decade on and off about how so much of the coverage of Donald Trump in the mainstream media (that’s me) is biased, unbalanced, and suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome”.
Well, the man can be maddening in all manner of ways but, as ever, I’d love to offer a balanced assessment of his peace plan for Ukraine so far as we understand it, and his motivations.
Donald Trump is selling out his allies while he still has time
Will Europe fight for Ukraine?
Tuesday 9 December 2025 19:50 , Maira ButtThe meeting at Downing Street between Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of his country’s principal allies in Europe is designed to demonstrate, both to Mr Zelensky and the wider world, that the Ukrainian people are not alone in their struggle for freedom. Specifically, it is a reminder to the Americans and the Russians that there can be no lasting peace settlement without the freely given consent of Ukraine.
The prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is joint leader of the “coalition of the willing” with President Macron, Europe’s pre-eminent military and nuclear powers, while the chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, is at the helm of its largest economy, and one that remains a formidable industrial player.
Will Europe fight for Ukraine?
Porsches across Russia suddenly stop working
Tuesday 9 December 2025 19:20 , Maira ButtHundreds of Porsche cars have stopped working in Russia due to an issue with a satellite-based security system, according to local reports.
Owners reported various issues with their vehicles, including not being able to start the engine, or it shutting down soon after ignition. Others said that they had been locked out of their cars.
The root cause of the issue is not yet known, though a representative for Russia’s largest dealership group told local media that it could be an act of sabotage.
“It’s possible this was done deliberately,” the Rolf spokesperson told the RBC news website, without providing any evidence.
Porsches across Russia suddenly stop working
Zelensky 'deeply appreciates' support of Pope Leo
Tuesday 9 December 2025 18:50 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed appreciation for Pope Leo XIV and his support of Ukraine after a meeting at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo.
“I informed the Pope about diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. We discussed further actions and the Vatican's mediation aimed at returning our children abducted by Russia,” he wrote on X on Tuesday.
Trump says European leaders are ‘weak’ in extraordinary attack on US allies
Tuesday 9 December 2025 18:20 , Maira ButtDonald Trump has said that European leaders are “weak” in an extraordinary attack on some of Washington’s closest allies.
Speaking to Politico, the US president claimed that “decaying” European countries such as France and Germany had failed to control migration or take action to end the war in Ukraine.
“I think they’re weak,” he said of European leaders. “But I also think that they want to be so politically correct”.
He added: “I think they don’t know what to do. Europe doesn’t know what to do.”
James C Reynolds reports:
Trump says European leaders are ‘weak’ in extraordinary attack on US allies
Deal to release ‘£100bn of Russian assets’ for Ukraine expected imminently
Tuesday 9 December 2025 17:50 , Maira ButtA deal to release up to £100 billion of frozen Russian assets in Europe to aid Ukraine is just days away, Downing Street believes, after Sir Keir Starmer and allies held crunch talks in London yesterday.
The prime minister said talks about the future of Ukraine have reached a “critical stage”, while European leaders agreed that pressure on Vladimir Putin must be ramped up.
Sir Keir met with French president Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and German chancellor Friedrich Merz at No 10 Downing Street on Monday as Mr Zelensky warned that Kyiv “can’t manage” without European and American backing.
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Deal to release ‘£100bn of Russian assets’ for Ukraine expected imminently
Germany's Merz says Europe must become less dependent on United States
Tuesday 9 December 2025 17:20 , Maira ButtGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz has responded to a strategy paper by President Donald Trump’s administration that declared Europe faced “civilisational erasure”, saying that the continent needed to be less dependent on the US.
“Some of it is understandable, some of it is comprehensible, and some of it is unacceptable to us from a European perspective,” Merz told reporters on a visit to the western German state of Rheinland-Pfalz.
“I see no need for the Americans to now want to save democracy in Europe. If it were necessary to save it, we would manage that on our own.”
He added: “The question of what this means for our security cooperation is obviously the most important question. It confirms my assessment that we in Europe, and therefore also in Germany, must become much more independent from the U.S. in terms of security policy.”
Europe has turned Ukraine into a bargaining chip, says Russia
Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:49 , Maira ButtRussia has accused Europe of turning Ukraine into a bargaining chip at a UN Security Council meeting held on Tuesday.
Ukraine’s representative urged countries to take action in an address to the group, saying: “What is an unbearable tragedy for us is perceived as little more than a routine ledger of a distant conflict.”
Trump says Zelensky is 'losing' war with Putin
Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:18 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has said that Ukraine must make concessions to Russia as it is “losing” the war.
“Well, he [President Volodymyr Zelensky] is going to have to get on the ball and start accepting things when you’re losing — because he’s losing,” the president said in an interview with Politico.
“He [President Vladimir Putin] had no respect for Zelensky, didn’t like Zelensky. They really hate each other. And part of the problem is they hate each other really a lot, you know. And it’s very hard for them to try and make a deal. It’s harder than most.”
Analysis: Europe needs to shove Trump aside - it has the power to stop Putin in Ukraine and it must use it
Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:15 , Maira ButtThere is no reason why Ukraine should entertain a Russian-American proposal which will not bring peace to the country - because there is no answer as to how the US could impose it.
Indeed, now is the time to ditch the White House altogether and for Europe - dismissed by the US president as “weak” - to take the lead.
Much is being made of how Ukraine is refusing to give up the land in the Donbas, eastern Ukraine, which remains under its control.
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:
Europe need to shove Trump aside - it has the power to stop Putin and must use it
In pictures: Zelensky meets Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome
Tuesday 9 December 2025 16:04 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has met with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome on Tuesday.
He told reporters that he “trusts” the leader with peace negotiations.
Zelensky says 'everything depends' on Russia being ready to stop war
Tuesday 9 December 2025 15:45 , Maira ButtPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has said that “everything depends” on whether Russia is ready to stop the war as negotiations towards a peace deal continue.
He said a revised proposal would be sent to the US soon.
“The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the US,” he wrote on X.
“Together with the American side, we expect to swiftly make the potential steps as doable as possible.”
Britain should retaliate against Putin's cyber army, urges Yvette Cooper
Tuesday 9 December 2025 15:30 , Maira ButtBritain and Europe must urgently unite to fight back against escalating attacks by Russia and other hostile states, Yvette Cooper is set to warn on Tuesday in a major speech.
Just 24 hours after Sir Keir Starmer led a mini summit to try to prevent Ukraine being forced into a humiliating deal to get peace with Russia, the foreign secretary will say that ongoing cyber attacks and disinformation are the new front in the war against Vladimir Putin.
Ms Cooper will tell an audience of diplomats that there is an “escalating” danger to the UK and Europe, adding: “Across Europe we are witnessing an escalation in hybrid threats – from physical through to cyber – designed to weaken critical national infrastructure, undermine our interests and interfere in our democracies all for the advantage of malign foreign states.
UK is under attack from Putin’s cyber army, warns Yvette Cooper