Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Donald Trump for his efforts to end the Ukraine war after Ukrainian and American officials held four hours of peace talks in Florida this weekend.Zelensky said the head of his delegation had reported back on "some preliminary results" and called the talks "constructive", days before a US envoy is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Trump also expressed optimism saying peace talks with Russia were "going along well".Secretary of state Marco Rubio told reporters that Sunday's talks were "productive".
"It's not just about the terms that end fighting," Mr Rubio said. "It's about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity. I think we built on that today but there's more work to be done."Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Putin in Moscow in the next few days.
Meanwhile, Turkey has criticised Ukraine's military for targeting vessels in Russia's "shadow fleet" with sea drones operating in the Black Sea. Turkish firefighters were engaged in trying to put out blazes on two ships near its coast, both of which have been subject to sanctions.
Key Points
- Zelensky hails Trump's commitment to ‘steps to end the war’
- Peace talks going along well, says Trump
- Talks with Ukrainian negotiators 'productive' but 'work to be done' - Rubio
- Second overnight attack on Kyiv kills one, injures 19
- Ukraine used naval drones to hit 'shadow fleet' tankers
- Russian drone attacks kill one and wound several
Ukrainian sea drones strike two Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers in the Black Sea
04:16 , Namita SinghUkrainian naval drones have struck two tankers linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” as they moved through the Black Sea, in what appears to be a sharp escalation of Kyiv’s efforts to target the revenue fuelling Moscow’s war.
Video has emerged purporting to show fast-moving waterborne drones slamming into the vessels and erupting into fireballs, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
Turkish authorities identified the ships as the Kairos and the Virat, both sailing under the flag of the Gambia. The Kairos was hit off Turkey’s south-western coast on Friday and the Virat in a central area farther east; the Virat was reportedly struck a second time on Saturday. No crew injuries were reported.
The tankers are understood to belong to Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a term used for hundreds of older or obscurely owned ships that transport Russian oil in defiance of Western sanctions imposed after the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Data from the London Stock Exchange shows both vessels are already listed as subject to sanctions.
Ukraine used Sea Baby naval drones, a type of explosive-laden craft developed by the country’s security service, the SBU, for maritime attacks. Turkish officials said rescue teams had been supporting the damaged tankers and released video of Turkish boats attempting to extinguish the blaze aboard the Kairos.
The strikes serve as a pointed warning from Kyiv that ships moving Russian oil through the Black Sea could face direct attack, not merely financial restrictions.
In a separate incident, a key pipeline operator said it had halted loading at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk after an overnight assault by unmanned boats damaged one of its mooring points.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium – majority-owned by Russia and Kazakhstan, with additional stakes held by Western energy giants including Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell – said the damage was significant.
Peace talks going along well, says Trump
04:00 , Namita SinghPresident Trump said that talks about a peace deal with Russia were 'going along well' hours after secretary of state Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian officials and expressed optimism about progress despite challenges ending the war.
“They are going along and they are going along well,” he told Reuters. “We want to stop people from being killed.”On being asked about his interaction with Marco Rubio over the peace negotiations, he said: “I have spoken to them. They are doing well.
“Ukraine's got some difficult little problems," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, referring to the corruption scandal, which he said was "not helpful."
He repeated his view that both Russia and Ukraine wanted to end the war and said there was a good chance a deal could be reached.
Zelensky hails Trump's commitment to ‘steps to end the war’
03:28 , Namita SinghUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday expressed cautious optimism about the latest round of discussions between Kyiv and Washington, describing the ongoing diplomatic engagement as both “constructive” and deeply focused on Ukraine’s core interests.
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov reported back to him on "some preliminary results" from the talks in the United States.
Zelensky emphasised that “it is important that the talks have a constructive dynamic and that all issues were discussed openly and with a clear focus on ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and national interests”.
The president also underscored Ukraine’s appreciation for the level of engagement from Washington. He thanked the United States – specifically President Trump’s team, and the former president himself – for the “intensive” effort being invested into charting a path toward ending the war.
Today, following the work of the teams in the United States, head of the Ukrainian delegation Rustem Umerov reported on the main parameters of the dialogue, its emphases, and some preliminary results. It is important that the talks have a constructive dynamic and that all issues…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 30, 2025
“I am grateful to the United States, to President Trump’s team, and to the President personally for the time that is being invested so intensively in defining the steps to end the war,” Zelensky said.
Russian drone attacks kill one and wound several
03:15 , Namita SinghAt least one person was killed and 19 others wounded in Russian drone and missile strikes, as US and Ukrainian officials met for peace talks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia bombarded Ukraine with 122 drone strikes and two ballistic missiles.
It comes as Turkey condemned Ukraine's use of a sea drone to target Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea.
Watch: Rubio says US-Ukraine talks on Russia war 'productive' but much work remains
03:00 , Alex CroftTrump officials try to reassure Ukraine’s negotiators over peace deal
02:00 , Alex CroftTwo of Donald Trump’s allies met Sunday with top Ukrainian officials in Florida as the Trump administration seeks to convince Ukraine’s government to accept a peace plan many saw as clearly tilted towards Russia’s war demands.
A delegation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s advisers and top officials met with lead U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Miami on Sunday ahead of a trip to meet with Russian leaders, including Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday.
On the agenda is the 28-point peace plan proposed by the U.S. this month, which has drawn apparent skepticism from both Ukraine and its European allies, given reports that it drew heavily from a Russian-authored plan submitted to the State Department in October.
John Bowden reports:
Trump officials try to reassure Ukraine over peace deal before meeting Putin
US 'super supportive', says Ukrainian delegate
01:04 , Tom BarnesUkraine’s secretary of national security had thanked the US and its officials for their support earlier on Sunday.
"US is hearing us, US is supporting us, US is walking besides us," Rustem Umerov said in English before the talks began.
After the meeting, he declared it productive. "We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people and US was super supportive," he said.
In pictures: Crucial peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials kick off in Florida
00:03 , Harriette Boucher
Work needed to reach Ukraine peace deal after 'productive' talks in Florida, Rubio says
Sunday 30 November 2025 23:55 , Tom BarnesA meeting between US and Ukrainian officials in Florida on Sunday was "very productive," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, adding that work still remains towards ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
"There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there's another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation, and that will continue later this week, when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow, although we've also been in touch in varying degrees with the Russian side, but we have a pretty good understanding of their views as well," Mr Rubio told reporters.
How much of Ukraine does Russia occupy?
Sunday 30 November 2025 23:31 , Harriette BoucherTerritorial disagreements remain key sticking points as Russia and Ukraine tentatively advance peace negotiations.
Russia currently occupies 20 per cent of Ukraine, and wants further control over more of major regions including the Donbas.
Peace deal hopes to create a 'sovereign, independent and prosperous' Ukraine, says Rubio
Sunday 30 November 2025 23:01 , Harriette BoucherMarco Rubio has said the peace talks hope to create a path to leave Ukraine "sovereign, independent and prosperous".
Speaking as the talks begin, the secretary of state said: "This is not just about ending a war. This is about ending a war in a way that creates a mechanism and a way forward that will allow them to be independent and sovereign, never have another war again, and create tremendous prosperity for its people.
"Not just rebuild the country, but to enter an era of extraordinary economic progress."
Following Rubio’s statement, Ukraine's security chief Rustem Umerov said the delegation was "working to secure real peace for Ukraine" and thanked Donald Trump’s "initiative for peace".
Polish president cancels meeting with Hungary's PM over visit with Putin
Sunday 30 November 2025 22:31 , Harriette BoucherPolish President Karol Nawrocki has cancelled a meeting with Viktor Orban after the Hungarian prime minister met with Putin in Moscow to discuss energy ties between the two countries last Friday.
The leaders were due to meet on Thursday, a day after the summit of the Visegrad Group in Hungary, where the leaders of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia will meet.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the international policy office of the Polish presidency, said: "President K. Nawrocki decided to limit the program of his visit to Hungary exclusively to the summit of the presidents of the Visegrad Group.
"Europe's security depends on solidarity action, including in the field of energy.”
Starmer and NATO secretary general speak ahead of peace talks
Sunday 30 November 2025 22:00 , Harriette BoucherSir Keir Starmer spoke to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday morning ahead of key peace talks that are taking place in the US today.
“The leaders began by taking stock of the situation in Ukraine,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
While peace talks in recent days had gained momentum, the focus had to be on securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, they said.
“The leaders discussed the work being done by the Coalition of the Willing to prepare for a cessation of hostilities and welcomed the close coordination between the grouping and NATO on next steps.”
Editorial: When will Donald Trump see that Vladimir Putin wants this war?
Sunday 30 November 2025 21:30 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin’s “whole economy, his whole society, his whole politics, his whole preservation of self revolves around having this war go on”, Fiona Hill, who was Donald Trump’s adviser on Russia in his first presidential term, has told The Independent in an exclusive interview.
When will Donald Trump see that Vladimir Putin wants this war?
Kazakhstan blasts Ukraine for hitting civillian oil infrastructure in Black Sea
Sunday 30 November 2025 21:00 , Harriette BoucheKazakhstan sharply criticised Ukraine on Sunday after a drone strike damaged a key Black Sea terminal belonging to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports more than 1 per cent of the world’s oil.
The CPC announced on Saturday that it had suspended operations after a mooring at its Novorossiysk terminal suffered significant damage in what it described as a Ukrainian naval drone attack.
Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry lodged a formal protest, denouncing “yet another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the waters of the Port of Novorossiysk”.
“This incident marks the third act of aggression against an exclusively civilian facility whose operation is protected under international law,” the ministry said.
Turkey 'concerned' about Ukrainian strikes on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers off Turkish Coast
Sunday 30 November 2025 20:33 , Harriette BoucherTurkey has condemned Ukraine’s naval drone attack on two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers off the Turkish Coast in the Black Sea on Friday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said the attacks on the Kairos and Virat vessels took place inside Turkey's exclusive economic zone and "posed serious risks to navigation, life, property and environmental safety in the region".
Mr Keceli said he was maintaining contact with the relevant parties to prevent the spread and further escalation of the war in the Black Sea and to protect Turkey's economic interests.
Former ambassador to US picked as reconstruction and investment advisor
Sunday 30 November 2025 20:04 , Harriette BoucheZelensky has picked the ex-ambassador to the United States to be his new adviser on reconstruction and investment.
Former envoy Oksana Markarova was recalled from Washington in July after a diplomatic reshuffle. Ms Markarova, who held the role for more than 4 years, was criticised among Donald Trump’s allies.
In a post on X, Zelensky said: "Starting today, Oksana Markarova will continue supporting our state as my Advisor on Rebuilding and Investments.
"Beyond the fundamental goal of defending our independence and the daily work to ensure Ukraine's survival, we have a long-term objective: to give Ukraine the capacity to rebuild after the fighting and restore normal economic development."
In pictures: Overnight Russian missile on a multi-story residential building in Vyshgorod, outside of Kyiv
Sunday 30 November 2025 19:30 , Harriette Boucher
Watch: Zelensky to ‘flesh out’ peace deal as Kyiv sends delegates to Washington DC
Sunday 30 November 2025 19:00 , Harriette BoucherMoldova authorities say Russian drones entered airspace on Saturday
Sunday 30 November 2025 18:29 , Harriette BoucherMoldovan authorities said on Saturday that Russian drones had entered the country's airspace, posing a threat to aviation, in the third such incident in nine days.
President Maia Sandu, who wants to bring Moldova into the European Union by 2030, has denounced Russia's war in Ukraine and accused Moscow of attempting to destabilise the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania.
Moldova's interior ministry said it had identified two drones as Russian and that they had flown over Moldovan territory, prompting the closure of its airspace.
They later flew into Ukrainian territory, it added.
"In the course of this incident, which posed a serious threat to flight safety, Moldova's airspace was closed for an hour and 10 minutes from 22.43 to 23.53 (2043 to 2153 GMT) on the orders of the civil aviation authority," it said.
Long watch: Putin is manipulating Trump and doesn’t want peace, ex-US aide warns
Sunday 30 November 2025 18:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine's first deputy foreign minister says talks off on a 'good start'
Sunday 30 November 2025 17:30 , Harriette BoucherIn pictures: Crucial peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials begin
Sunday 30 November 2025 17:00 , Harriette Boucher
Zelensky and president of Finland speak ahead of crucial talks in US
Sunday 30 November 2025 16:30 , Harriette BoucherKyiv says it is working for 'real peace' as talks begin in US
Sunday 30 November 2025 15:59 , Harriette BoucherRustem Umerov, Kyiv’s lead negotiator said Ukraine was working to secure real peace and reliable, long-term security guarantees.
In a post on X, he wrote: “We have clear directives and priorities: safeguarding Ukrainian interests, ensuring substantive dialogue, and advancing on the basis of the progress achieved in Geneva.”
Peace deal hopes to create a 'sovereign, independent and prosperous' Ukraine, says Rubio
Sunday 30 November 2025 15:50 , Harriette BoucherMarco Rubio has said the peace talks hope to create a path to leave Ukraine "sovereign, independent and prosperous".
Speaking as the talks begin, the secretary of state said: "This is not just about ending a war. This is about ending a war in a way that creates a mechanism and a way forward that will allow them to be independent and sovereign, never have another war again, and create tremendous prosperity for its people.
"Not just rebuild the country, but to enter an era of extraordinary economic progress."
Following Rubio’s statement, Ukraine's security chief Rustem Umerov said the delegation was "working to secure real peace for Ukraine" and thanked Donald Trump’s "initiative for peace".
Rubio expects to make 'more progress' as peace talks begin
Sunday 30 November 2025 15:30 , Harriette BoucherUkraine’s national security chief Rustem Umerov confirmed that peace talks are underway in Florida as Secretary of state Marco Rubio said he expects to make “more progress” toward a deal to end the war.
"This is not just about peace deals. It's about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous and so we expect to make even more progress today," Rubio said in Hallandale Beach, Florida, where talks are taking place.
Zelensky to visit Macron in Paris on Monday, Elysee says
Sunday 30 November 2025 15:02 , Harriette BoucherVolodymyr Zelensky will visit French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, Macron's office said, as the Ukrainian leader finds himself in the most difficult political and military situation since Russia's invasion in 2022.
The two leaders will discuss "the conditions of a just and durable peace", following talks in Geneva and the American peace plan, the Elysee Palace said in a statement on Saturday. Zelensky was last in Paris on 17 November.
Second overnight attack on Kyiv kills one, injures 19
Sunday 30 November 2025 14:35 , Harriette BoucherAt least one person has been killed and another 19 wounded after Russia launched fresh overnight attacks on the Kyiv region, striking a nine-story apartment block in the city of Vyshhorod.
It’s the second night in a row that Russia has struck the capital, after three were killed and dozens were injured in an attack throughout the night and into Saturday.
The attacks come ahead of Sunday’s meeting, in which US secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet Ukrainian officials in Florida.
Recap: Ukraine drones strike Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers in Black Sea
Sunday 30 November 2025 14:02 , Harriette BoucherUkraine deployed its domestically produced Sea Baby naval drones to target two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian security services official confirmed on Saturday.
The vessels, identified as the Kairos and Virat, are believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet" used to circumvent international sanctions.
The strikes occurred in quick succession off Turkey’s Black Sea coast late Friday afternoon.
Following the incidents, the Turkish coast guard initiated rescue operations, with reports indicating that all crew members on both tankers were safe.
Starmer and NATO secretary general speak ahead of peace talks
Sunday 30 November 2025 13:32 , Harriette BoucherSir Keir Starmer spoke to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Sunday morning ahead of key peace talks that are set to continue in the US today.
“The leaders began by taking stock of the situation in Ukraine,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
While peace talks in recent days had gained momentum, the focus had to be on securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, they said.
“The leaders discussed the work being done by the Coalition of the Willing to prepare for a cessation of hostilities and welcomed the close coordination between the grouping and NATO on next steps.”
Switzerland votes on whether women must do national service
Sunday 30 November 2025 13:01 , Harriette BoucherSwiss voters are currently deciding on a pivotal referendum that could see women, like men, compelled to undertake national service, encompassing military, civil protection, or other public duties.
Proponents of the "citizen service initiative" argue it would bolster social cohesion, creating jobs in areas like environmental prevention, food security, and elderly care.
However, the Swiss Parliament largely opposes the measure, citing significant cost implications and concerns it could hinder the economy by removing tens of thousands of young people from the workforce.
While early polls suggested a close contest, more recent surveys indicate the initiative is likely to fail.
This vote offers a crucial insight into European views on mandatory national duty, particularly amidst anxieties regarding potential spillover from Russia’s war in Ukraine and other geopolitical instabilities.
In pictures: A Russian missile hit a multi-story residential building in Vyshgorod, outside of Kyiv
Sunday 30 November 2025 12:30 , Harriette BoucherFormer ambassador to US picked as reconstruction and investment advisor
Sunday 30 November 2025 12:00 , Harriette BoucherZelensky has picked the ex-ambassador to the United States to be his new adviser on reconstruction and investment.
Former envoy Oksana Markarova was recalled from Washington in July after a diplomatic reshuffle. Ms Markarova, who held the role for more than 4 years, was criticised among Donald Trump’s allies.
In a post on X, Zelensky said: "Starting today, Oksana Markarova will continue supporting our state as my Advisor on Rebuilding and Investments.
"Beyond the fundamental goal of defending our independence and the daily work to ensure Ukraine's survival, we have a long-term objective: to give Ukraine the capacity to rebuild after the fighting and restore normal economic development."
Turkey 'concerned' about Ukrainian strikes on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers off Turkish Coast
Sunday 30 November 2025 11:30 , Harriette BoucherTurkey has condemned Ukraine’s naval drone attack on two Russian “shadow fleet” tankers off the Turkish Coast in the Black Sea on Friday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said the attacks on the Kairos and Virat vessels took place inside Turkey's exclusive economic zone and "posed serious risks to navigation, life, property and environmental safety in the region".
Mr Keceli said he was maintaining contact with the relevant parties to prevent the spread and further escalation of the war in the Black Sea and to protect Turkey's economic interests.
Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner to meet Ukrainian officials on Sunday, senior US official says
Sunday 30 November 2025 11:00 , Harriette BoucherUS secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian officials today in Florida, a senior US official told Reuters.
A Ukrainian delegation is headed to the United States to continue talks on a deal to end the war.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected that the results of previous meetings with the US in Geneva, which took place last weekend, would now be "hammered out" today.
Editorial: When will Donald Trump see that Vladimir Putin wants this war?
Sunday 30 November 2025 10:30 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin’s “whole economy, his whole society, his whole politics, his whole preservation of self revolves around having this war go on”, Fiona Hill, who was Donald Trump’s adviser on Russia in his first presidential term, has told The Independent in an exclusive interview.
When will Donald Trump see that Vladimir Putin wants this war?
What vessels did Ukraine hit in the black sea?
Sunday 30 November 2025 10:00 , Harriette BoucherUkraine deployed naval drones to hit Russian oil tankers off Turkey’s Black Sea coast on Friday afternoon, a Ukrainian security services official said.
The vessels have been identified as the Kairos and Virat, which are thought to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet" used to curb international sanctions.
Both vessels were under sanctions, with the US sanctioning the Virat in January this year, followed by the EU, Switzerland, the UK and Canada.
The EU also sanctioned the Kairos in July, followed by the UK and Switzerland.
According to the OpenSanctions database, which tracks people or organisations involved in sanctions evasion, “the shadow tanker fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the Kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners and poses significant environmental threats.”
Watch: Zelensky to ‘flesh out’ peace deal as Kyiv sends delegates to Washington DC
Sunday 30 November 2025 09:30 , Harriette BoucherSecond overnight attack on Kyiv kills one, injures 19
Sunday 30 November 2025 09:26 , Harriette BoucherAt least one person has been killed and another 19 wounded after Russia launched fresh overnight attacks on the Kyiv region, striking a nine-story apartment block in the city of Vyshhorod.
It’s the second night in a row that Russia has struck the capital, after three were killed and dozens were injured in an attack throughout the night and into Saturday.
The attacks come ahead of Sunday’s meeting, in which US secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet Ukrainian officials in Florida.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy to visit Macron in Paris on Monday, Elysee says
Sunday 30 November 2025 09:00 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, Macron's office said, as the Ukrainian leader finds himself in the most difficult political and military situation since Russia's invasion in 2022.
The two leaders will discuss "the conditions of a just and durable peace", following talks in Geneva and the American peace plan, the Elysee Palace said in a statement on Saturday. Zelensky was last in Paris on 17 November.
Moldova authorities say Russian drones entered airspace on Saturday
Sunday 30 November 2025 08:30 , Shweta SharmaMoldovan authorities said on Saturday that Russian drones had entered the country's airspace, posing a threat to aviation, in the third such incident in nine days.
President Maia Sandu, who wants to bring Moldova into the European Union by 2030, has denounced Russia's war in Ukraine and accused Moscow of attempting to destabilise the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania.
Moldova's interior ministry said it had identified two drones as Russian and that they had flown over Moldovan territory, prompting the closure of its airspace.
They later flew into Ukrainian territory, it added.
"In the course of this incident, which posed a serious threat to flight safety, Moldova's airspace was closed for an hour and 10 minutes from 22.43 to 23.53 (2043 to 2153 GMT) on the orders of the civil aviation authority," it said.
Ukraine drones strike Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers in Black Sea
Sunday 30 November 2025 08:00 , Shweta SharmaUkraine has reportedly deployed its domestically produced Sea Baby naval drones to target two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian security services official confirmed on Saturday.
The vessels, identified as the Kairos and Virat, are believed to be part of Russia’s "shadow fleet" used to circumvent international sanctions.
The strikes occurred in quick succession off Turkey’s Black Sea coast late Friday afternoon. Following the incidents, the Turkish coast guard initiated rescue operations, with reports indicating that all crew members on both tankers were safe.
Kazakhstan blasts Ukraine for hitting civillian oil infrastructure in Black Sea
Sunday 30 November 2025 07:30 , Shweta SharmaKazakhstan sharply criticised Ukraine on Sunday after a drone strike damaged a key Black Sea terminal belonging to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports more than 1 per cent of the world’s oil.
The CPC announced on Saturday that it had suspended operations after a mooring at its Novorossiysk terminal suffered significant damage in what it described as a Ukrainian naval drone attack.
Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry lodged a formal protest, denouncing “yet another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the waters of the Port of Novorossiysk”.
“This incident marks the third act of aggression against an exclusively civilian facility whose operation is protected under international law,” the ministry said.
While politicians wrangle over Trump’s peace plan, soldiers are still dying, says Ukrainian filmmaker
Sunday 30 November 2025 07:00 , Shweta SharmaSoldiers fighting on Ukraine’s front lines see no change on the battlefield while peace talks continue back and forth between Kyiv, the Kremlin and the US, a Ukrainian filmmaker has said.
Mstyslav Chernov, the Academy Award-winning director of 20 Days in Mariupol, gave The Independent an insight into morale on the frontline after the limited release of his latest documentary, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, put him straight on the battlefield with Ukraine’s armed forces.
It comes as Ukrainian officials continue to negotiate peace terms after the US president Donald Trump put forward a deal to end the war which critics have described as being pro-Russian.
While Trump’s peace plan drags on, soldiers still die, says Ukrainian filmmaker
‘Putin’s whole life revolves around war – he’s manipulating Trump and doesn’t want peace,’ ex-US aide warns
Sunday 30 November 2025 06:30 , Shweta SharmaVladimir Putin knows exactly how to manipulate Donald Trump and has no intention of stopping the war in Ukraine despite the US president’s calls for peace, a top former White House aide warns.
Fiona Hill, a national security adviser during Mr Trump’s first administration and an expert on Russia, regularly witnessed meetings between the two men.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s podcast World of Trouble, she reveals how Putin has “got Trump’s number” and feels able to mock the US president to his face, relying on the language barrier to cover his teasing.
‘Putin’s whole life revolves around war – he is manipulating Trump,’ ex-US aide warns
Rubio and Witkoff are meeting with Ukraine's negotiators in Florida as Trump pushes to broker a deal
Sunday 30 November 2025 06:00 , Shweta SharmaTop Trump administration figures are meeting Ukrainian negotiators in Florida this weekend as Washington pushes to broker an end to Russia’s war, ahead of a pivotal round of talks expected in Moscow with Vladimir Putin later this week.
Secretary of state Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, are holding discussions with a Ukrainian delegation to refine a proposed peace framework.
Hours before the Florida meeting, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his powerful chief of staff Andrii Yermak, who had been leading negotiations with the US.
His departure followed a search of his home by anti-corruption investigators, amid a scandal involving $100m allegedly embezzled from Ukraine’s energy sector, a controversy that has intensified domestic pressure on Zelensky.
Yermak had met Rubio in Geneva just a week earlier, with both sides calling those talks constructive.The newly configured Ukrainian team now includes Andrii Hnatov, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces; foreign minister Andrii Sybiha; and security council chief Rustem Umerov.
Diplomats are working on revisions to Trump’s original 28-point peace proposal, which critics said was tilted toward Moscow — including provisions that envisaged Ukraine ceding the entire Donbas, limiting the size of its military and barring Nato membership. Trump has since described the plan as a “concept” or “map” that would need fine-tuning, but negotiators have not detailed what changes have been made.
Trump said this week he would send Witkoff and possibly Kushner to Moscow for direct talks with Putin.
Both men come from the deal-making world of real estate and previously helped craft the 20-point proposal that led to a Gaza ceasefire.
Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner to meet Ukrainian officials on Sunday, senior US official says
Sunday 30 November 2025 05:30 , Shweta SharmaUS secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian officials today in Florida, a senior US official told Reuters.
A Ukrainian delegation is headed to the United States to continue talks on a deal to end the war.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he expected that the results of previous meetings with the US in Geneva, which took place last weekend, would now be "hammered out" today.
South Africa arrests four men suspected of trying to join Russian military
Sunday 30 November 2025 05:00 , Shweta SharmaSouth African police have detained four men at Johannesburg airport on suspicion of being recruited to fight for Russia. The group was stopped at the boarding gate on Friday as they prepared to travel via the UAE, police said.
The arrests come weeks after reports that 17 South African men were stranded in Ukraine, having allegedly been lured with promises of lucrative mercenary contracts.
South African law prohibits citizens from providing military assistance to foreign governments or joining foreign armies without authorisation.
The Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, said a tip-off led officers to the men, and that an initial investigation suggests a South African woman was facilitating their recruitment and travel to Russia.
The four are expected to appear in court on Monday for allegedly contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a probe into how the 17 men ended up fighting in Ukraine.
Ukrainian delegation in US for peace talks after lead negotiator's exit
Sunday 30 November 2025 04:30 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal delivered a report to the US delegation, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“It is time to update the fundamental defense documents of Ukraine, including the national defense plan. The course of hostilities has shown what must become the renewed priorities,” he said.
“We agreed that Denys will prepare detailed proposals for these changes and present them to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for approval.”
Security council secretary Rustem Umerov was leading the delegation after the previous lead negotiator, Zelensky's powerful chief of staff Andriy Yermak, resigned on Friday hours after anti-corruption detectives searched his apartment.
Zelensky has said Ukraine is in one of the most difficult moments in its history, but promised his people in a dramatic address last week that he would not betray the country.
Kyiv attack in photos
Sunday 30 November 2025 04:00 , Shweta SharmaA Russian attack in Kyiv has caused a blackout in most of the capital.
At least six people have been killed in the attack that caused explosions and fire.
Vitaliy Zaichenko, head of Ukraine’s state grid operator Ukrenergo, told the Kyiv Independent that transmission lines had been hit and nearly half of Kyiv was now without power.
Ukrainian naval drones hit two Russian 'shadow fleet' oil tankers
Sunday 30 November 2025 03:31 , Shweta SharmaUkrainian naval drones struck two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea as they sailed towards a Russian port to collect crude bound for foreign markets, a Ukrainian security official said on Saturday – the latest effort by Kyiv to disrupt Moscow’s vast oil trade.
The vessels, identified as the Kairos and Virat, were empty and en route to Novorossiysk, a key Russian oil terminal, according to an official from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) speaking to Reuters.
Video shared by the official shows naval drones racing towards the tankers before powerful blasts ignite fires on board.
“After the strikes, both tankers suffered critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. This will significantly hit Russia’s oil transportation,” the SBU official said in a written statement.
Ukraine has spent months targeting Russian oil refineries with long-range aerial drones, hitting infrastructure deep behind the front lines.
Striking tankers at sea marks a shift in Kyiv’s campaign, as it presses Western partners to act against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” – hundreds of ageing, lightly regulated vessels that Ukraine says help Moscow evade sanctions and continue exporting oil to fund its war.
Moldova authorities say Russian drones entered airspace on Saturday
Sunday 30 November 2025 03:00 , Alex CroftMoldovan authorities said on Saturday that Russian drones had entered the country's airspace, posing a threat to aviation, in the third such incident in nine days.
President Maia Sandu, who wants to bring Moldova into the European Union by 2030, has denounced Russia's war in Ukraine and accused Moscow of attempting to destabilise the ex-Soviet state, which lies between Ukraine and EU member Romania.
Moldova's interior ministry said it had identified two drones as Russian and that they had flown over Moldovan territory, prompting the closure of its airspace.
They later flew into Ukrainian territory, it added.
"In the course of this incident, which posed a serious threat to flight safety, Moldova's airspace was closed for an hour and 10 minutes from 22.43 to 23.53 (2043 to 2153 GMT) on the orders of the civil aviation authority," it said.
At least six killed in attacks across Kyiv, officials say
Sunday 30 November 2025 02:57 , Shweta SharmaAt least six people have been killed and many injured after Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine, officials said.
Authorities were working to reconnect more than 400,000 households in Kyiv after strikes on the power grid.
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia was pushing a “war plan” of “killing and destroying”, even as international discussions on peace intensify.
Residents in Kyiv woke to shattered windows and charred build
ings after a night of heavy explosions that largely targeted the capital.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones in the latest wave.
Ukraine’s emergency services reported two deaths and 38 injuries in Kyiv, with regional authorities confirming one death outside the capital, two in Dnipropetrovsk, and one in a midday strike in Kherson.
The barrage comes as Ukraine endures one of its toughest periods of rolling blackouts since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Some neighbourhoods have been receiving as little as eight hours of electricity on the worst days, with generators now rumbling across the capital and many streets left in darkness at night.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said it carried out a “massive” strike on what it described as Ukrainian military-industrial and energy targets, framing the attack as retaliation for “terrorist acts”.
Russia declares Human Rights Watch 'undesirable organisation'
Sunday 30 November 2025 02:47 , Shweta SharmaRussia’s ministry of justice has designated Human Rights Watch an “undesirable organisation”, banning the group from operating in the country.
Human Rights Watch said Russia had already shut down operation of its Moscow office in 2022.
“Our work hasn’t changed, but what’s changed, dramatically, is the government’s full-throttled embrace of dictatorial policies, its staggering rise in repression, and the scope of the war crimes its forces are committing in Ukraine,” said Philippe Bolopion, executive director at Human Rights Watch.
The designation under Russia’s controversial law prohibits organisations from operating within Russia and makes it a criminal offence for individuals to conduct activities in the country.
Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner to meet Kyiv officials on Sunday
Sunday 30 November 2025 02:00 , Alex CroftUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and US president Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will meet Ukrainian officials on Sunday in Florida, a senior US official told Reuters.
It comes after the Ukrainian delegation headed to the United States to continue talks on a deal to end the war.
Six killed and dozens injured in Russian attack on Ukraine
Sunday 30 November 2025 01:00 , Alex CroftA Russian attack on Ukraine killed six people and wounded dozens, officials said on Saturday, while emergency crews restored power to more than 400,000 households in Kyiv after strikes on the grid as the US attempts to broker peace talks.
"While everyone is discussing points of peace plans, Russia continues to pursue its 'war plan' of two points: to kill and destroy," Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, wrote on Saturday morning as Kyiv residents surveyed the damage after a heavy night of explosions that mostly targeted the capital.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had launched around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones in the attack.
Ukraine's State Emergency Services said two people died in the overnight attack in Kyiv and 38 were injured.
Ukraine’s corruption scandal is disastrous for Zelensky - Putin will love it
Sunday 30 November 2025 00:00 , Harriette BoucherZelensky’s lost his chief of staff amid a €100 million corruption scandal that the Kremlin will exploit - this is a disaster to Kyiv but also a sign that its system works, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Ukraine’s corruption scandal is disastrous for Zelensky – Putin will love it
Recap: Three dead after overnight attack on Kyiv
Saturday 29 November 2025 23:30 , Harriette BoucherRussia launched vast overnight strikes on Ukraine, killing three people and wounding nearly 30.
The attack left more than 600,000 households, mostly in Kyiv, without power.
In one of the biggest bombardments in a while, Russia launched around 36 missiles and nearly 600 drones.
"While everyone is discussing points of peace plans, Russia continues to pursue its 'war plan' of two points: to kill and destroy," Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on Saturday morning.
Watch: Putin says Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine by force unless Kyiv withdraws
Saturday 29 November 2025 23:00 , Harriette Boucher‘Putin’s whole life revolves around war – he’s manipulating Trump and doesn’t want peace,’ ex-US aide warns
Saturday 29 November 2025 22:29 , Harriette BoucherVladimir Putin knows exactly how to manipulate Donald Trump and has no intention of stopping the war in Ukraine despite the US president’s calls for peace, a top former White House aide warns.
Fiona Hill, a national security adviser during Trump’s first administration and an expert on Russia, regularly witnessed meetings between the two men.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s podcast World of Trouble, she reveals how Putin has “got Trump’s number” and feels able to mock the US president to his face, relying on the language barrier to cover his teasing.
‘Putin’s whole life revolves around war – he is manipulating Trump,’ ex-US aide warns
Recap: Ukraine hit 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea with drones
Saturday 29 November 2025 22:02 , Harriette BoucherUkraine used naval drones on Friday to strike two empty oil tankers sailing to Novorossiysk, a major Russian Black Sea oil terminal.
The attack was carried out using domestically produced Sea Baby drones, which hit the tankers off the Turkish coast and prompted a rescue operation by the Turkish coast guard.
"Video (footage) shows that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service.
“This will deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation," an official from the SBU said.
The blacklisted businessman, the former film producer and the ex-soldier: Key players in Ukraine-Russia peace talks
Saturday 29 November 2025 21:30 , Harriette BoucherSeveral countries and high-profile individuals are involved in the discussions, which have resulted in public disagreements. The Independent looks at some of the key characters below.
From blacklisted businessman to ex-film producer: Key players in Ukraine peace talks
