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Ukrainian president’s call comes after Putin launched bizarre rant against West amid ongoing US-brokered peace talks
Maira Butt, Namita Singh & Tara CobhamThursday 18 December 2025 01:00 GMT- Bookmark
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Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine's allies to show a united front against Russia at a crucial European Union summit on Moscow's frozen assets.
The Ukrainian president urged European leaders to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing its war is “pointless” ahead of the summit in Brussels on Thursday.
“The outcome of these meetings, the outcome for Europe, must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support,” Zelensky said in his evening address on Wednesday.
His call comes after Vladimir Putin lashed out at European leaders, amid ongoing US-brokered peace talks.
In a bizarre rant against the West, the Russian President said: “Europe’s little pigs immediately joined in the work of the previous American administration, hoping to profit from the collapse of our country.”
He added that Russia would “liberate its historical lands on the battlefield” or through diplomacy, but vowed it would achieve its territorial aims in the end.
Putin had previously accused Western countries of “hysteria”, adding that claims Russia wanted war with Europe were “a lie”.
Meanwhile, Zelensky ruled out a ceasefire by Christmas, saying Russia is likely to reject a new European-backed peace proposal and that Ukraine must be ready to continue fighting.
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Key Points
- Zelensky calls on allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia continuing war is 'pointless'
- Zelensky plays down prospects of peace by Christmas as Russia hardens stance
- Russian embassy rejects MI6 chief’s claim Moscow is trying to bully the UK
- Merz says peacekeepers could repel Russian forces under post-war guarantees
- Belarusian president calls for fast action on Ukraine war while US is engaged
- Putin calls European leaders 'little pigs' amid US-brokered peace talks
Watch: Ukraine blows up Russian submarine in unprecedented underwater drone attack
Ukraine blows up Russian submarine in unprecedented underwater drone attackTara Cobham18 December 2025 01:00Zelensky tells Europe to use frozen assets to end Russia's appetite for war
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine's partners to take a decision on using the nearly $250 billion of frozen Russian sovereign assets in the European Union, most of it held in Belgium's Euroclear, to support a loan for Ukraine.
In his evening address on Wednesday, he called on Ukraine's allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing its war is "pointless," ahead of a crucial European Union summit on Moscow's frozen assets.
EU governments agreed last week to freeze the assets for as long as needed instead of voting every six months on extending this status. Some European leaders have opposed the plan as they fear it opens them up to legal risk.
"We need all our partners to have the courage to see the truth, acknowledge the truth and act accordingly," Zelensky said. He added that Russia was showing with its actions it intended to continue fighting next year.
"Allies in the United States often say that Russia seems to want to end the war. But Russia is sending completely different rhetoric and signals, including official orders to its army."
President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukraine's allies on Wednesday to secure support for Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)Tara Cobham18 December 2025 00:00Paratrooper killed in Ukraine told family to ‘be proud’ of what he died doing
A British paratrooper killed serving in Ukraine said he "went out doing what I trained to do".
The body of Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in west Oxfordshire on Wednesday after his death in what the Ministry of Defence called a "tragic accident" last week.
An extract from a letter written by L/Cpl Hooley to be opened in the event of his death said "don't remember me with sadness and loss" because he died "doing what I believed in".
A private, family-only ceremony was held at Brize Norton before L/Cpl Hooley's body was carried past Carterton Repatriation Memorial Garden.
People paid their respects along the route, some in tears, and members of the armed forces and police also turned out to honour the soldier.
Mourners gathered at the garden, designed by the Oxfordshire community as a space for people to honour fallen military personnel.
Lance Corporal George Hooley died last week (PA Media)Tara Cobham17 December 2025 23:00Zelensky calls on allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia continuing war is 'pointless'
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine's allies to secure support for Kyiv and show Russia that continuing ts war is "pointless," ahead of a crucial European Union summit on Moscow's frozen assets.
"The outcome of these meetings, the outcome for Europe, must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support," Zelensky said in his evening address.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukraine's allies to secure support for Kyiv (AP)Tara Cobham17 December 2025 22:49US and Russia to hold talks in Miami this weekend, according to reports
US and Russian officials are expected to hold talks in Miami, Florida, this weekend about a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are expected to be part of the US delegation, according to Politico, which also reported that Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, will be part of the Russian delegation.
Tara Cobham17 December 2025 22:25Zelensky says new Trump peace plan will be ready in days
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said revised US-brokered peace plans could be presented to Russia within days, following successful talks in Berlin.
The Ukrainian president left Germany confident that proposals negotiated with the US would soon be finalised after receiving crucial security guarantees from his European allies and Washington.
He said that American envoys were set to present the outcomes of this week’s talks to the Kremlin - but not before Russia could pour cold water on the plans.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov reiterated that Moscow would not give back land to end the war, and would not accept any Nato peacekeepers stationed in a post-war Ukraine.
Maira Butt17 December 2025 18:45‘Clock is ticking’: Starmer tells Roman Abramovich to transfer money from Chelsea sale to Ukraine fund
Sir Keir Starmer has warned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich that the “clock is ticking” for him to hand over the £2.5bn he received from the sale of Chelsea football club.
The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that a licence has been issued, allowing the money to be transferred to the people of Ukraine suffering at the hands of the Russian invasion.
The announcement is the first major move in transferring European based Russian assets for the rebuilding of Ukraine. It follows a mini summit between Sir Keir and Belgian PM Bart de Wever last week to discuss Russian assets with most of them based in Belgium.
The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Starmer threatens to seize £2.5bn from Roman Abramovich after Chelsea sale
Keir Starmer announced the move in PMQs with the Russian billionaire still holding on to the £2.5bn he received for the sale of the football clubMaira Butt17 December 2025 18:15Treasury denies US has readied Russian sanctions
The US treasury has denied it has come to any conclusions about future Russian sanctions after a report by Bloomberg News suggested decisions were being made in the event Moscow rejected a peace deal.
"It is explicitly false to conclude any decisions have been made regarding future sanctions against Russia,” a Treasury spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.
“As we have said for months, all options remain on the table in support of President Trump’s tireless efforts to stop the senseless killing, and to achieving a lasting, durable peace.”
Maira Butt17 December 2025 17:45Zelensky asks allies to show Russia ongoing war is 'pointless'
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on allies to continue their support for Kyiv and show Russia that its continuing military action is “pointless”.
It comes ahead of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.
“The outcome of these meetings – the outcome for Europe – must be such that Russia feels that its desire to continue fighting next year will be pointless, because Ukraine will have support,” he said in his evening address on Wednesday.
Maira Butt17 December 2025 17:16Putin claims speculation of war with the West is ‘hysteria’ – two weeks after threatening Europe
Vladimir Putin dismissed fears of conflict with Europe as “hysteria” stoked by Ukraine’s allies on Wednesday – just two weeks after issuing his own threats against the West.
"I have repeatedly stated: this is a lie, nonsense, pure nonsense about some imaginary Russian threat to European countries. But this is being done quite deliberately," he said.
James C Reynolds reports:
Putin says talk of war with West is ‘hysteria’ - two weeks after threatening Europe
Russian president said Moscow is not seeking war with Europe despite escalation of hybrid attacksMaira Butt17 December 2025 16:45Newer1 / 7OlderMore about
Volodymyr ZelenskyRussiaChristmasDonald TrumpKyivKremlinFriedrich MerzUnited StatesWashingtonVladamir PutinJoin our commenting forum
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