Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talksYour support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has rejected the latest amendments to a Donald Trump-backed peace plan – despite admitting that he hasn’t actually read them.
Yuri Ushakov, who played a key role in drafting the original version of the plan that was widely dismissed as being too pro-Russia, also played down the prospect of a three-way summit between the US, Moscow and Kyiv
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
His remarks came after Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida over the weekend with Ukrainian and European negotiators.
“Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine‘s recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity.
Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities, but also a dignified foundation for a stable future,” Trump’s envoy said.
Indian national captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia appeals to PM Modi
An Indian national who had travelled to Russia on a student visa and is now being held as a POW in Ukraine has appealed to his country’s prime minister Narendra Modi to secure his release.
Sahil Mohamed Hussein Majothi, 23, from Gujarat, says he travelled to St Petersburg in January 2024 to study a course on Russian language and culture at ITMO University.
The man was allegedly sentenced to jail after a police case and then forced to fight for Russia on the battlefield. He was then captured by the Ukrainian forces.
A video released by Ukraine in October showed his surrender. In a fresh video last night, Majothi warned Indians going to Russia for studies or work to “be careful against scammers”.
“I appeal to the Indian government, to prime minister Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar (minister of external affairs), if possible, please help. That’s all,” he said.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 05:52
French presidency welcomes Kremlin’s willingness to hold talks
The French presidency has welcomed Russia’s willingness to hold talks with Emmanuel Macron.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to speak with Macron is “welcome”, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Paris will decide on the details “in the coming days”, reported French broadcaster BFMTV.
The remarks came shortly after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Saturday said Putin is ready to engage in dialogue with Macron.
On Friday, Macron had said it would “become useful again” for him and the Europeans to speak with Putin.
“I think that we, Europeans and Ukrainians, have an interest in finding a framework to re-engage in these discussions properly. Otherwise, we end up talking among ourselves, with negotiators who go off on their own to talk with the Russians, which is not optimal,” Macron said.
French president Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Reuters)
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 05:22
Watch: Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talksZelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 05:10
Orban says Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for his country, as he made a rare statement in support of Kyiv.
Orban was speaking during his “Country tour” rally yesterday, at a time when he faces staunch opposition ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.
“Make no mistake: Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary. So the collapse of Ukraine is not only in Hungary’s interest, but we must do a great deal to prevent it from happening,” he said.
“Countryside people – and real estate speculators – understand perfectly that the value of your piece of land is influenced not only by the condition of that land, but also by the condition of the neighbouring piece of land, and also by who lives there,” Orban said, addressing the city of Szeged.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 04:55
What 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.
Ukraine’s allies in Europe continue to push for security guarantees (AFP/Getty)
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 Reynolds22 December 2025 04:30
Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
The Ukrainian army said it was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region after Moscow claimed to have forcibly removed 50 people from a border village.
“Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Grabovske,” Ukraine’s joint taskforce said and said their troops were “making efforts to drive the occupiers back into Russian territory”.
Russian forces have crossed the border with Ukraine in the northeastern Sumy region and taken about 50 residents of a Ukrainian border village into Russia, Ukrainian media quoted the military as saying yesterday.
Most of the local residents captured from the village were elderly people, the media said.
Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet said Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 04:10
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals – without actually seeing them
Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has accused Europe and Ukraine of prolonging the conflict with their proposals.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
He also denied that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US were under discussion, after Zelensky said Washington had proposed the idea of three-way discussions.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge it is not being prepared,” he said.
Russian president Vladimir Putin and his foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov attend talks in Moscow (Sputnik)
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 03:19
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:
James Reynolds22 December 2025 02:00
In 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 23:55