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.
Angry Russians turn on Putin over poverty and stagnant economy during marathon press conference
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Two Indian students ‘forcibly recruited’ into Russian army die in Ukraine
Key Points
- Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
- Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
- Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia's Krasnodar
- Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow, investigators say
- ‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
- What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
Russian general killed in car bomb in Moscow, investigators say
07:28 , Arpan RaiA Russian general was killed in a car bomb in Moscow today, Russia's investigative committee said today.
Lieutenant general Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff's army operational training directorate, was killed, the committee said.
The committee said one possibility being investigated is that the bomb was planted by Ukrainian special services.
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
07:00 , Arpan RaiVladimir 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.
Starmer has his final call of 2025 with Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine and Gaza
06:45 , Arpan RaiSir Keir Starmer has spoken to US president Donald Trump for what will likely be their final phone call of 2025.
The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the appointment of a new ambassador to Washington DC when they spoke on Sunday afternoon, according to No 10.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, this afternoon. The two leaders began by reflecting on the war in Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister updated on work by the Coalition of the Willing to support any peace deal and ensure a just and lasting end to the hostilities.
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defence
06:30 , Arpan RaiThe icy ground crackling under their feet, members of an elite Ukrainian drone-hunting team set up for a long night.
Antennas and sensors are clipped to a light stand. Monitors and controls are pulled from hard cases, and a game-changing new weapon is readied for deployment.
The Sting, shaped like a flying thermos, is one of Ukraine’s new homegrown interceptors.
The unit’s commander says the interceptors can effectively counter Russia’s fast-evolving suicide drones, which are now flying faster and at higher altitudes.
“Every destroyed target is something that did not hit our homes, our families, our power plants,” said the officer, known only by the call sign “Loi,” in line with Ukrainian military protocol. “The enemy does not sleep, and neither do we.”
Ukraine is leveraging its powerful – and cheap – new drone killers for air defense
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
06:16 , Arpan RaiThe Ukrainians have responded to the cautiousness of their European allies with a show of fighting spirit. After European leaders signed off a €90bn loan – as we commented yesterday, “just enough” to hold Vladimir Putin’s forces at bay but not enough to push them back – Ukraine has struck an alleged Russian shadow-fleet oil tanker off Libya, 2,000km from the battlefield.
Ukrainian drones also hit a Russian patrol ship and an offshore drilling platform in the Caspian Sea, hundreds of kilometres away.
This intensification of the long-distance battle that Ukraine is fighting in support of the ground war of attrition on its own territory is a fitting response, both to the hesitation of its allies and to the four-hour monologue of obfuscation delivered by Mr Putin on Friday.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Indian national captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia appeals to PM Modi
05:52 , Arpan RaiAn 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.
French presidency welcomes Kremlin's willingness to hold talks
05:22 , Arpan RaiThe 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.
Watch: Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
05:10 , Arpan RaiOrban says Ukraine's collapse would be a disaster for Hungary
04:55 , Arpan RaiHungarian 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.
What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
04:30 , James ReynoldsThe 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.
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’.
Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
04:10 , Arpan RaiThe 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.
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals - without actually seeing them
03:19 , Arpan RaiVladimir 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.
Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia's Krasnodar
02:56 , Arpan RaiAt 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.
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
02:00 , James ReynoldsAiden 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’
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian strikes on Odesa
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:55 , James Reynolds
Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:10 , James ReynoldsSwedish 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.
Russia launches 2,500 aerial attacks against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 22:07 , James ReynoldsUkraine’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.
Macron open to talks with Putin, casting doubt over progress in US-led talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:06 , James ReynoldsFrance 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.
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.
What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:04 , James ReynoldsThe 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.
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’.
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:00 , James ReynoldsAiden 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’
ICYMI: Putin still wants all of Ukraine, US intelligence finds
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:00 , James ReynoldsUS 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.
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.
France to build Europe's largest ever warship, Macron confirms
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:48 , James ReynoldsFrance 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.
Ukraine and US to continue talks on Sunday
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:23 , James ReynoldsUkrainian peace negotiators will hold another meeting with US officials on Sunday, top Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov said.
"We are working constructively and substantively. We are counting on further progress and practical results," Umerov said Telegram.
Ukrainian, US and European teams held a round of talks on Friday.
What to know about Europe's new loan for Ukraine
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:00 , James ReynoldsEU leaders agreed on Friday to provide a massive loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years.
The 27-nation bloc's heads of state had planned to use some of the 210 billion euros worth of Russian assets frozen in Europe, mostly in Belgium.
But despite working through the night, they failed to convince Belgium that the country would be protected from Russian retaliation if it backed the “reparations loan” plan.
Here’s what to know about the loan Ukraine will be receiving:
What to know about the EU's new $106 billion loan to Ukraine
Trilateral talks not under discussion, says Kremlin
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:54 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin denied that trilateral talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine were currently under discussion on Sunday.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation,” Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:00 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Vladimir Putin must be brought to the point where he no longer has an interest in prolonging the war:
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Russian forces take elderly residents from border village into Russia, Ukraine claims
Sunday 21 December 2025 14:30 , James ReynoldsRussian forces crossed the border into Ukraine’s Sumy region and took about 50 residents from a village back into Russia, Ukrainian media quoted the military as saying on Sunday.
Russian forces are alleged to have entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske, according to public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet.
Most of the local residents captured from the village were elderly people, the media said.
The Independent could not independently verify the report. Russia has not yet commented on the matter.
Kremlin says peace prospects not improved by European amendments
Sunday 21 December 2025 14:00 , James ReynoldsRussian President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy aide said on Sunday that changes made by the Europeans and Ukraine to US proposals for an end to the war in Ukraine did not improve prospects for peace.
"This is not a forecast," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, though he said he had not seen the exact proposals on paper yet.
"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."
Macron open to talks with Putin, casting doubt over progress in US-led talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 13:30 , James ReynoldsFrance is contemplating restarting dialogue with Russia after the Kremlin said it was open to talking to president Emmanuel Macron.
“In the coming days, we will determine the optimal format for starting this process,” the Elysée Palace said on Sunday.
The Kremlin said Putin was ready to hold talks with Macron if there is mutual political will in remarks published by Russia’s RIA on Sunday.
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.
"Either a robust and lasting peace is reached, with the required (security) guarantees," Macron told reporters in Brussels, "or we will need in the weeks ahead to find ways for Europeans to re-engage in a fulsome dialogue with Russia, and in complete transparency."
The latest round of talks to end the war have been ongoing since November, but clear sticking points remain around territory and security guarantees.
Publicly, both Ukraine and Russia have praised the work of the US to help mediate a ceasefire agreement. But no tangible results have yet emerged.
Where does Zelensky stand on holding wartime elections?
Sunday 21 December 2025 13:00 , James ReynoldsZelensky had previously ruled out holding elections while the war is ongoing - a measure backed even by many opponents in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, and again under pressure from Trump, he said that he would be open to holding elections within 60-90 days if security guarantees are in place.
On Saturday, he told Putin to keep out of Ukraine’s affairs after the Russian president backed Trump’s call.
Zelensky also reiterated that elections can only be held when security is guaranteed.
Any election in Ukraine can not be held in Russia-occupied parts of the country, either, he said.
He added that Ukraine's foreign minister had started the initial work on the infrastructure needed to make voting possible for Ukrainians living abroad.
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Sunday 21 December 2025 12:00 , James ReynoldsEditorial: Vladimir Putin must be brought to the point where he no longer has an interest in prolonging the war:
Ukraine is showing fighting spirit, and its allies must respond
Russia has launched 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 11:15 , James ReynoldsRussia has launched approximately 2,500 strikes against Ukraine in the last week alone, president Volodymyr Zelensky shared today in a bleak reminder of the reality on the ground with peace talks ongoing.
Zelensky wrote on social media that Russia has launched an estimated 1,300 attack drones, 1,200 guided aerial bombs and nine missiles against Ukraine over the past week.
Odesa the southern part of the country were hit particularly hard, he said.
Kremlin spurns European involvement in peace talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 11:00 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Sunday that the chances of peace in Ukraine were not improved by changes to US proposals made by the Europeans and Ukraine, Interfax news agency reported.
Zelensky seeks more consultation with Europe after US talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:35 , James ReynoldsFollowing talks with the US in Florida last week, Ukraine’s Zelensky called for broader consultations with European partners on social media today.
Europe has played an important role in backing Ukraine’s plea for clear security guarantees through the negotiation process.
Those, and territory swaps, remains points of contention between Ukraine and Russia, via the US.
"We are moving at a fairly rapid pace, and our team in Florida has been working with the American side," Zelensky said on Telegram messenger.
He said he had just talked with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere on the phone.
Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:30 , James ReynoldsSwedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters after developing 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.
The Adler is a 126-metre-long, roll-on, roll-off container carrier. It is anchored off Hoganas in southwest Sweden.
"Shortly after 0100 last night we boarded the ship with support from the Swedish Coast Guard and the police service in order to make a customs inspection," a spokesperson said. "The inspection is still ongoing."
'Alternatives to US support are uncertain,' Zelensky says
Sunday 21 December 2025 10:00 , Vishwam SankaranAmid ongoing US-led peace negotiations, Zelensky called on the American president to take an active role in ending the war in Ukraine, stating alternatives to US support "are uncertain".
"I believe such strength exists in the United States and in President Trump. And I believe we should not look for an alternative to the United States, because all alternatives are uncertain as to whether they can (end the war)," the Ukrainian president said.
"Who else (can effectively establish peace)? Perhaps representatives of the Middle East. But I still believe the United States has greater chances. Who else? Europe – the Coalition of the Willing – which is Europe plus our friends from Canada and Japan. But they will all be at the negotiating table in one way or another. And perhaps China could as well, but we clearly see no desire from China to end this war," he said.
Over 200 Indian nationals taken by Russia to fight war in Ukraine, New Delhi says
Sunday 21 December 2025 09:00 , Vishwam SankaranIndia’s foreign ministry says 202 Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian army since 2022, with at least 26 killed and seven missing.
The figures were released in an official report submitted to India’s parliament last week.
"As per information available, 202 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Concerted efforts by the Government have resulted in the early discharge of 119 of them; 26 are reported to have lost their lives, and seven are reported missing by the Russian side," the report said.
Video: US, Russian officials meet in Miami for peace talks
Sunday 21 December 2025 08:30 , Vishwam SankaranRussia and Ukraine must both make compromises to end war, Rubio says
Sunday 21 December 2025 08:10 , Vishwam SankaranEnding the war will require that both sides “give something” and the US is figuring out “what both sides are prepared to give", US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said yesterday.
"I don't know if Putin wants to do a deal or Putin wants to take the whole country. These are things that he has said openly," the secretary of state said.
"We know what they wanted to achieve initially when the war began. They haven't achieved those objectives," he said.
