EU-Zelensky leader telephoned: 'Unity on Kiev, security guarantees'. Meloni: Europe-Ukraine-US coordination to stop war

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the Russian attacks in Ukraine, which demonstrate Russia's 'determination to prolong the war'.

'Let us work together for a just and lasting peace agreement,' writes Finland's President Alexander Stubb on X after participating in the video call between Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders ahead of tomorrow's meeting between the Ukrainian President and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The exchange, Stubb points out, was 'very good'.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will provide C$2.5 billion ($1.8 billion) in economic aid to Ukraine. The financial assistance "will help unlock IMF (International Monetary Fund) funding," Carney told reporters along with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Halifax at today's meeting.

The video call between Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, ahead of tomorrow's meeting between the Ukrainian president and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, has ended. This was reported by European sources. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte was also present.

'If Kiev does not want to resolve the conflict peacefully, Russia will carry out the special military operation by force'. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, quoted by Tass. "The Kiev authorities preferred to launch hostilities on a large scale. A war. Start a war. We are trying to put an end to it,' he added. From the very beginning, we said that the Kiev regime's troops should withdraw from these territories. Then there would be no military operations. There would not have been any if they had listened to us then'.

Russia claims to have captured the cities of Myrnograd and Gulyaipole in eastern Ukraine, announcing new progress on the front on the eve of a meeting in the US between the Ukrainian and American presidents. The first city is located in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk oblast and the second in the Polohy district of the Zaporizhzhia oblast. According to a Kremlin statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin heard a report from the General Staff stating that 'the two cities had been liberated'.

Achieving peace in Ukraine requires 'a Russia willing to cooperate'. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said this when meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Carney also announced a C$2.5 billion financial aid package for Kiev.

Over one million homes were left without electricity in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and surrounding areas after massive new Russian air raids. This was reported by the energy company Dtek. 'The first raid left over 700,000 customers without electricity this morning, and another 400,000 were left without power in the region surrounding the capital,' Dtek pointed out on Telegram, adding that it is working to restore power.

Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Halifax, Canada, where he is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister, Mark Carney. This was announced by the Ukrainian presidential spokesman. After the talks, the Ukrainian president will have a video call with European leaders meeting in the so-called Berlin format, in which the Canadian prime minister will also take part. The stop in Canada precedes tomorrow's trip to Mar-a-Lago, Florida, for face-to-face talks with Donald Trump.

The 'Russians again attacked gas and energy infrastructure. They hit production sites of the Naftogaz group and a cogeneration plant with Shahed drones'. This was announced by the director of Naftogaz.

"Emergency teams, technical services and all affected units are working tirelessly to cope with the aftermath of the attack and restore the installations," he added, pointing out that these attacks coincide with falling temperatures in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Agency (Nabu) has indicted several MPs for selling their votes to the Verkhovna Rada and ordered searches of parliamentary group offices that were at first blocked by security forces, in a new case set to cause a stir after the investigation into the embezzlement of some $100 million in the energy sector that touched Volodymir Zelensky's right-hand man, Andryi Yermak, forcing him to resign, as well as two ministers.

The investigation uncovered 'an organised crime group including some deputies' who 'systematically received illicit advantages in order to vote in the Rada'. The Nabu complained that 'obstructing the actions of an investigation constitutes a direct violation of the law'.

Three trucks, one hundred thousand cubes which, dissolved in a little water, become energy soups with chicken and vegetables. A 'little caress' from Pope Leo XIV, a vital refreshment for Ukrainian families who, on the occasion of the Sunday of the Holy Family of Nazareth which falls tomorrow, 28 December, received humanitarian aid from the Vatican.

Pope Leo XIV's gift, as Cardinal Almoner Konrad Krajewski told the Vatican media, is a thought addressed to the families that, like the one in Nazareth, "follow the painful path of exile in search of refuge", experiencing "the dramatic condition of refugees, marked by fear, unease, uncertainty". A gesture that - continues the cardinal - shows how God, "being born in such a family, always wants to be where man is in danger, where man suffers, where he flees, where he experiences rejection and abandonment".

"We are working with the US on the roadmap for Ukraine's prosperity. Our vision, together with the US, extends to 2040, including the key elements of an agreement on investment and future prosperity. The main aspects and directions are our national goals, life expectancy, refugee return, GDP per capita, new jobs, security guarantees, and, finally, market access and EU membership. We have goals and strategies for macroeconomic stability. We estimate that reconstruction will require some 700-800 billion dollars'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky writes in X. "What is important is to have a shared vision with the US, which will establish several funds. There will be a Ukraine Construction Fund, a Ukraine Sovereign Investment Platform, a Ukraine Development Fund and a Ukraine Growth and Opportunity Fund. We intend to continue to develop the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. The negotiating teams are also discussing issues related to the Human Capital Fund and return support,' he explained.

Ukraine has 'red lines' regarding the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and has no intention of legally recognising anything 'under any circumstances'. This was stated by the country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

"There are red lines for Ukraine and for the Ukrainian people...All these issues are very sensitive: this is about territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. You know my position: we will not legally recognise anything under any circumstances,' Zelensky told reporters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that he will connect with some European allies - and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - during a stopover in Canada on his way to the US, where he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday. This was reported by the France Presse news agency.

Speaking to reporters via a messaging app during the flight, Zelensky explained that the plane will make a stopover in Canada, where he is scheduled to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. On that occasion, he added, an online connection with several European leaders is also planned.

New air warnings in Kiev and several regions of Ukraine. This was reported by the Ukrinform agency citing local authorities. Russia has already launched a massive attack in the Kiev region in the last few hours, killing two people. Another 32 people including two children were injured.

The Ukrainian anti-corruption agency (Nabu) announced a new corruption investigation in a case allegedly involving Kiev deputies. Nabu officials tried to enter the parliament to conduct searches, but were blocked by the security services. "Nabu and Sapo, following an undercover operation, unmasked an organised criminal group that included some current members of parliament," Nabu said. "Employees of the State Security Department are resisting Nabu agents during the investigative actions" in parliament, it added.

Moscow is probably positioning new nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic missiles at a former airbase in eastern Belarus, a development that could strengthen Russia's ability to launch missiles across Europe, according to two US researchers studying satellite images. This is what Reuters writes on its website. The researchers' assessment is broadly in line with US intelligence findings, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share information not authorised for public disclosure.

The city of Kupyansk is under the control of the 6th Inter-Army Guard Battlegroup West, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. Tass reports. "We are firmly maintaining, have maintained and will continue to maintain our positions in the city," a company commander, codenamed Uranus, said in a video, while another commander, codenamed Colossus, reported that there are no Ukrainian forces near the Kupyansk milk production plant, and a third, codenamed Granit, confirmed that his personnel are successfully carrying out their assigned tasks. The important city in the Kharkiv region has been the focus of both Moscow and Kiev's claims for months, both of which say they have it under control. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been filmed about a fortnight ago in the city, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had called him an 'actor', saying that the place where he was standing was one kilometre from the settlement.

The Russian missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital and its surroundings claimed one life, injured two dozen people, and interrupted heating and electricity supplies for hundreds of thousands of people. The air raid alarm was in operation for several hours after the loud explosions overnight. The victim is a 47-year-old woman, according to Kiev regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk. "There are already 19 people affected in the capital. Eleven people have been hospitalised,' said Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, who spoke of 2,600 residential buildings and hundreds of kindergartens, schools and social facilities remaining without heating. "Currently, more than 320,000 users are without electricity," Kalashnyk added.

The video call scheduled today between Volodymyr Zelensky and a number of European leaders does not include the participation of Donald Trump. This was clarified by a European Commission spokeswoman after an initial communication circulated this morning.

"Russian representatives participate in lengthy talks, but in reality it is the Kinzhal and the 'shahed' who speak for them. This is the real attitude of Putin and his inner circle. They do not want to end the war and try to use every opportunity to cause Ukraine even more suffering'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote this on X, commenting on the Russian raids in recent hours. "Since last night almost 500 drones - a large number of 'shahed' - and 40 missiles have been launched, including Kinzhal. The main target is Kiev: energy facilities and civil infrastructure,' Zelensky added.

The toll of attacks by Russian forces in Kiev overnight has risen to at least 22 injured. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced this on Telegram. Two children were also among the wounded.

Poland has scrambled its jets and temporarily closed two airports in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight. Sky News reports. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency issued only a brief statement to confirm that two airports, Rzeszow and Lublin, were temporarily closed.

Almost a third of the Ukrainian capital Kiev was left without heating due to the Russian attack. This was stated by local authorities, including mayor Vitali Klitschko, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. "There is no electricity in parts of the neighbourhoods on the left bank. Technicians are working to restore electricity,' the mayor said. Meanwhile, the number of people injured in the capital as a result of the Russian attack has risen to eight. Ukrinform reports this, citing Klitschko. "At the moment, eight people were injured in the capital as a result of the enemy attack. Five of them have been hospitalised,' the mayor of the capital said, clarifying that among the injured was a 16-year-old boy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intends to discuss the duration of a possible peace agreement for Ukraine with US President Donald Trump at a meeting scheduled for Sunday in Florida. Axios reports. According to the site, Washington would propose a 15-year, renewable agreement. "I think it needs more than 15 years," Zelensky told Axios in a telephone interview on Friday, adding that it would be "a great success" if Trump were to share this position during the face-to-face meeting. Zelensky also said he was willing to put the peace plan to a referendum if Russia agreed to a 'minimum' 60-day ceasefire to allow the organisation and holding of the vote.

The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps Denis Kapustin died on the Zaporizhzhia front. The group is one of the militias composed of Russians fighting for Ukraine. This was reported by the Russian Volunteer Corps on its Telegram channel, as Ukrinform reports. "Last night, our commander, Denis Kapustin (WhiteRex), died heroically while carrying out a combat mission on the Zaporizhzhia front. According to preliminary data, he was killed by a drone," the message reads. "Full details will be released later, as the circumstances of the incident are still being ascertained," the Russian Volunteer Corps stressed.

At least five people were injured in Kiev as a result of a Russian attack. This was reported by the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitaliy Klychko, as Ukrinform reports. The mayor reports a fire broke out in the Holosiivskyi district and falling debris in the Obolonskyi and Desnianskyi districts.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed how his nation and Russia shared "blood, life and death" in the war in Ukraine, sending New Year's greetings to President Vladimir Putin. Pyongyang has sent thousands of soldiers to fight for Moscow, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, as Russia continues its almost four-year invasion of Ukraine. In the message, published by the state-run Kcna news agency, Kim said that 2025 was a 'truly significant year' for the bilateral alliance, consolidated by 'sharing blood, life and death in the same trench'.

The official programme of US President Donald Trump, published online by the White House, confirms the meeting between the tycoon and the Ukrainian president at the residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, at 3pm American time, 9pm in Italy.

US President Donald Trump believes there is a good chance of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. "Well, I think we have a good chance of doing it," Trump told the New York Post, reported by the Russian news agency Tass. "I have solved eight wars, and this is the most difficult of all. But I believe we will succeed." According to the newspaper, the US leader is optimistic that a peace agreement can be reached during his next meeting with Vladimir Zelensky tomorrow. In his view, both sides are interested in ending the conflict. "I think they (in Kiev) want to do it now, and I think Russia wants to do it too. But whenever one wants to do it, the other doesn't," Trump said.

Several powerful explosions rocked Kiev overnight as authorities warned that the Ukrainian capital was under threat of missile attack. "Explosions in the capital. Air defence forces are operational. Stay in shelters!" said Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. The Ukrainian Air Force also announced a nationwide air alert in the early hours of the morning. "The whole of Ukraine is in missile danger! Recorded take-off of MiG-31K', i.e. the carriers of the Kinzhal aero-ballistic missile, the Telegram post reads.