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By Amanda Castro, Hannah Parry, Matthew Robinson, and John Feng
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NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that "we are not going anywhere" after talks between the Russian president and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff failed to reach any agreement.
Rutte, speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, warned against Russia's "increasingly reckless behavior" as he urged allies to invest at least five percent of their GDP in defense spending. "Putin believes he can outlast us," he said, before pointing to the treaty members' support for Ukraine as proof the Russian leader is "wrong." Rutte also praised President Donald Trump's efforts, calling him "the only one person in the whole world who is able to break the deadlock."
Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met with Putin for nearly five hours on Tuesday. Yuri Ushakov, a top Kremlin aide, called the meeting "very useful, constructive, and highly substantive," but said a "compromise option has not yet been found," according to the state news agency Ushakov said that the Russian side had expressed a "critical and even negative attitude" towards several proposals in the plan, and added that the "territorial issue is the most important" for both Russia and the U.S.
What To Know
- Witkoff and Putin met in Moscow to discuss the revised version of Trump's peace plan following U.S.-Ukraine negotiations on an earlier draft proposal that Kyiv viewed as too heavily weighted toward Russia.
- Ukraine's media reported that a planned Wednesday briefing between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump envoys about the meeting had been cancelled as Ukraine's president said preparations were underway for talks in the U.S.
- Ushakov said that Moscow had sent four more documents, in addition to Trump's original 27-point peace plan. He did not outline their contents.
- Ushakov said that the meeting explored "huge prospects for economic cooperation" between Russia and the United States. He added that greetings were conveyed between Trump and Putin.
- He said that no further meetings between Trump and Putin had currently been planned. "The possibility of a meeting between Putin and Trump will depend on the progress achieved towards a settlement," he said.
- The meeting came as Putin claimed a significant victory in Ukraine, saying his forces had taken complete control of Pokrovsk in the east, a logistics center for supplying the Ukrainian troops.
Newsweek's live blog is closed.
Dec 03, 2025 at 08:04 PM EST
Pope Leo urges US to involve Europe in peace talks
Pope Leo urged the U.S. to involve Europe in the ongoing peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on the papal flight back from Turkey and Lebanon on Tuesday, Leo suggested that Italy could potentially be a mediator between the Ukraine and Russia.
“It is clear that, on the one hand, the president of the United States is thinking he can promote a peace plan that he would like to carry out and that, at least at first, is without Europe," he said. “But Europe’s presence is important, and that first proposal was also modified because of what Europe was saying.”
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:40 PM EST
Zelensky gives update on plans for US-Ukraine meeting
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shared an update about the plans for the next peace talks between U.S. and Ukraine delegations.
"We’re preparing meetings in the United States – after the American team returns from Moscow and following the relevant consultations in Washington – Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, along with the rest of the negotiating team, will continue discussions with envoys of President Trump," Zelensky said in a post on X.
"We expect news in the coming days regarding such meetings, contacts, and talks – whether in person or by phone. All partners are in regular contact with each other and with Ukraine."
Zelensky said talks were proceeding "quite effectively" as he felt that, at meetings in Geneva and Florida, Ukraine "was heard, and Ukraine was listened to."
"And that matters. We expect it will continue exactly this way. A dignified peace is only possible if Ukraine’s interests are taken into account. Right now, the world clearly feels that there is a real opportunity to end the war, and current diplomatic activity in negotiations must be backed by pressure on Russia. Everything depends on this combination – constructive diplomacy plus pressure on the aggressor. Both components work toward peace," he added.
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:23 PM EST
Zelensky warns of U.S. fatigue in Ukraine peace efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced concern Tuesday that the United States could lose interest in the push for peace, saying Russia’s strategy is to erode American engagement.
Speaking at an event in Dublin, Zelensky admitted he fears allied fatigue. “Yes, I am afraid. If somebody from our allies is tired, I’m afraid,” he said when asked about U.S. commitment.
He added that Moscow’s objective is to “withdraw the interest of America from this situation,” highlighting the stakes for Kyiv as it seeks to maintain international support in negotiations.
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:14 PM EST
US-Putin talks ‘positive’ step in peace process, says Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the peace talks between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, were "positive" - even if they did not end in a compromise or agreement.
Sybiha said that Witkoff had spoken with the Ukrainian delegation after the meeting.
"What the representatives of the American delegation reported is that in their assessment, the talks in Moscow were of positive significance for the peace process," Sybiha told reporters on Wednesday.
"This is their assessment. And they invited the Ukrainian delegation to continue our talks in America in the near future."
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:01 PM EST
Trump announces U.S. has ended financial role in Ukraine war
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States is no longer providing direct financial support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, emphasizing that Washington’s role is now focused on diplomacy.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Trump contrasted his approach with that of President Joe Biden, who he claimed allocated $350 billion in aid. Trump said his administration instead sells military equipment to NATO allies, who then decide whether to transfer it to Kyiv.
Trump added that U.S. envoys are currently in Russia seeking to broker a settlement. “I’ve settled eight wars. This would be the ninth,” he said.
Dec 03, 2025 at 06:42 PM EST
Ukraine says its forced Russian troops back to outskirts of Kupiansk
The Ukrainian military has pushed Russian troops back to the northern outskirts of the city of Kupiansk, near the Russian border, Ukraine's Joint Forces communications chief Viktor Tregubov said on national television on Wednesday.
Tregubov denied Russian claims that Moscow forces had captured Kupiansk. He said that Ukrainian troops had cut off Russian supply lines and forced their troops to the outskirts of the city. They were still working to "systematically" destroy Russian units.
"We have been quite effective in creating a kill zone around the city and destroying those who try to creep in with the help of drones," Tregubov said. "No matter how many reinforcements they bring, they still have to crawl through open space, and the drone does not care how many of them are crawling there."
Dec 03, 2025 at 06:30 PM EST
Vucic warns NATO anxiety rising over Russian gains
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday that advances by Russian forces in Ukraine are heightening concern among NATO leaders. He cited progress in areas including Krasnoarmeysk, Krasny Liman, Kupyansk, Volchansk, Gulyaipole, and near Seversk and Konstantinovka, describing the situation as “obvious” and increasingly unsettling for Western officials.
Vucic cautioned that NATO’s reported consideration of preemptive strikes against Russia poses a grave risk. He warned that Moscow could respond far more forcefully than it has in Ukraine, potentially even with tactical nuclear weapons.
The Serbian leader added that Russia has shown restraint so far, framing the conflict as fratricidal given cultural and historical ties between Russians and Ukrainians. He said the long‑term trajectory of the war remains uncertain but acknowledged growing anxiety over how it may unfold.
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:57 PM EST
WATCH: Trump plays down leaked audio of Witkoff advising Russian officials
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:43 PM EST
Hungary says it will not join Europe in sending money, weapons to Ukraine
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said his country will not join the rest of Europe in sending weapons or money to Ukraine.
"A brutal war fanaticism has gripped the European members of Nato. This blinds them and makes them incapable of making rational decisions," he said after a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, where the E.U. proposed funding Ukraine with frozen Russian assets.
Szijjarto added that it would be "impossible" for Hungary to accept the E.U.'s agreement to phase out Russian gas by 2027.
The foreign minister also accused Western European leaders of extending the conflict in Ukraine as they prepare for a possible war with Russia by the end of the decade.
Speaking in Vasarosnameny on Tuesday, Szijjarto pointed to European Commission documents that set targets for tactical readiness by 2029 and full preparedness for war by 2030. He criticized what he called “senseless money spending on Ukraine” and urged European governments to pursue peace instead.
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:27 PM EST
Russia, Ukraine exchange military strikes as peace talks continue
Ukraine and Russia exchanged military strikes on Tuesday evening, even as peace negotiations in Europe and talks with American envoys continue.
A Russian attack on Ternovka, Ukraine last night left at least two dead, while Moscow's strikes on Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown Kryvyi Rih injured at least one woman, Vladyslav Haivanenko, Ukraine's representative for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, said.
Haivanenko also said that Ukraine's Nikopol region in the south east was also attacked leaving three people injured and buildings damaged.
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:15 PM EST
UN secretary general urges peace talks not to ignore international law
United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres has urged negotiators involved in the Ukraine war peace talks not to ignore international law, after the U.S. proposed a peace plan that would have granted Russia illegally annexed territory.
"First, it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, not the other way around. And second, when we look at the conflict, the solution of the conflict should abide by international law, which means the charter, and which means the respect for the territorial integrity of states," Guterres told Reuters.
He added that most of the international community had condemned Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories and Ukraine had in its constitution that it will not cede territories that were illegally taken. But Vladimir Putin has insisted the territories now belong to Russa.
"The violation of these rules is extremely dangerous because everywhere in the world people will feel that they can do whatever they want because international law doesn't matter anymore," Guterres said. "I hope that the way the negotiations end will respect these principles, even if I understand that that will not be easy.”
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:12 PM EST
Ex-NATO general warns of risk to Ukraine’s stability
Retired German General Harald Kujat, former head of NATO’s Military Committee and Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, has warned that Ukraine faces the risk of disintegration.
In an interview with Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche, Kujat said the Ukrainian army is no longer capable of mounting an organized defense, describing its strategy as “drawing out the battle.” He cited heavy casualties, high conscription rates and declining public support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid ongoing corruption scandals.
Kujat stressed that “no one wants” Ukraine to collapse, urging European leaders to recognize their responsibility to push for a peaceful settlement. He argued that the current moment offers an opportunity to end the conflict diplomatically.
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:57 PM EST
Russia described five-hour US-Putin meeting as ‘productive’
Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev has just a single word to describe the five-hour-long meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and top U.S. officials on Monday.
"Productive," he wrote in a post on X, along with photos from the talks.
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:44 PM EST
What to know about Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff
Steve Witkoff, a longtime real estate developer and founder of the Witkoff Group, has taken on a new role in U.S. diplomacy. Since 2025, he has served as special envoy to the Middle East and for peace missions, while also acting as a de facto envoy in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, Witkoff studied political science and law at Hofstra University before beginning his career as a real estate attorney. He later shifted to property development, acquiring landmark buildings in Manhattan such as the Daily News Building and the Woolworth Building, and expanding into Miami.
Forbes estimated his net worth at $2 billion in May 2025. Witkoff previously served on the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups during the first Trump administration, advising on ways to mitigate the economic fallout of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:30 PM EST
Putin: Russia ready for war if Europe wants one
Tensions between Russia and Europe are especially strained amid the Ukraine war.
European allies think Russia could be laying the ground for a much broader war on the continent beyond Ukraine, and so are trying to rapidly rearm the continent in response. Putin has dismissed accusations that he is seeking war with Europe—but warned that Russia is ready for it.
Russia is also trying to drive a greater wedge between Europe and the U.S., and is punching the bruise of differences within NATO over how to settle the Ukraine conflict. The U.S. has largely sidelined Europe from the current peace negotiations, which Ukraine and its continental allies fear means the White House will eventually pressure Kyiv into capitulative terms with Russia.
Read in full: Putin: Russia Ready for War if Europe Wants One
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:15 PM EST
Putin ally rails against female EU leaders: ‘Crazy hags’
A top Kremlin official launched a tirade against female European Union leaders, calling them "crazy hags" and "half-witted old biddies" for their stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Security Council, and a former president and prime minister of Russia, lashed out in a new post on Telegram early Wednesday.
"As Russia and the U.S. try to negotiate an end to the conflict, frigid Europe, headed by half-witted old biddies called Ursula and Kaja, is pushing for war to the last Ukrainian," Medvedev wrote, referring to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Newsweek has contacted the European Commission for comment.
Medvedev, in his post, cited the corruption scandal now engulfing Federica Mogherini, who previously held Kallas's foreign affairs role. Mogherini was arrested by Belgian police in a fraud investigation relating to contracts for training aspiring European diplomats. She now heads the College of Europe graduate school in Bruges.
He made reference to the British movie In Bruges. "One can only hope that these two crazy hags will soon follow in Ms. Mogherini’s footsteps," Medvedev said. "Or end up like the two protagonists of the aforementioned movie. And I sincerely hope they will."
Of the two protagonists in In Bruges, one dies by suicide and the other is shot, with a question mark over his survival.
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:02 PM EST
New map shows Russia seeking military footprint in contested Sudan
Dec 03, 2025 at 03:49 PM EST
Russia could be getting first naval base in Africa
Russia has been offered a deal in which it gets a naval base in Sudan in return for weapons and military equipment, it has been reported.
In February, Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef had said that his country would allow Russia to build a naval base, without specifying the terms of the deal.
But Sudan’s military government offered Russian officials the right to station troops and warships on the Red Sea, in return for military assistance to the country where a war that has displaced millions continues to rage, The Wall Street Journal reported citing Sudanese officials.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Sudanese foreign ministries for comment.
Read in full: Russia Could Be Getting First Naval Base in Africa
Dec 03, 2025 at 02:28 PM EST
WATCH: Zelensky says war must end in way that ensures Russia will never try and invade again
Dec 03, 2025 at 02:11 PM EST
Russian ambassador to UK claims Europe is trying to prolong Ukraine war
Russian Ambassador to the U.K., Andrey Kelin, has accused the United Kingdom, France, and Germany of trying to prolong hostilities in Ukraine.
"At the moment, and I think for quite a prolonged period of time, European countries are not working for peace," he told Sky News Arabia, adding that those "big three" countries "stand for the continuation of fighting over the area."
He accused them of trying to prolong the war to enrich their own economies through their defense industries, and he said European countries were only harming themselves by their aggression towards Russia.
Dec 03, 2025 at 01:50 PM EST
Ex-Russian commander says Moscow was ‘unprepared’ for invasion of Ukraine
Former Russian Ground Forces commander, Vladimir Chirkin, has offered public rare criticism of Moscow, when he said that Russia had not been prepared for its invasion of Ukraine.
"We had the traditional underestimation of the opponent and overestimation of our own military," Chirkin told Russian outlet RBС on November 27.
Chirkin said that Russia's initial plan had been to seize Kyiv in three days, buoyed by the confidence from its five-day war in Georgia in 2008.
"During the first few weeks, we were taught a serious harsh lesson, and the former defense minister tried to find a face-saving exit from the situation, calling what was happening a 'gesture of goodwill'," Chirkin said. He also criticized the "entire Russian intelligence community" for telling leadership that 70 percent of the Ukrainian population supported the invasion - a claim which turned out to be entirely false.
It's one of the first times that a top Russian official has made such public criticism of Russia's war effort - something that can lead to criminal charges.
Dec 03, 2025 at 01:34 PM EST
Zelensky says Ukraine’s top negotiators to meet with Trump’s envoys in U.S.
Ukraine's top negotiators will meet with envoys of President Donald Trump in the U.S. after peace talks between the American officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to reach an agreement.
"As always, Ukraine will work constructively in pursuit of a real peace. I expect a new report following the results of today’s meetings in Europe," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X.
Zelensky's comments came after today's NATO meeting in Brussels.
Dec 03, 2025 at 01:13 PM EST
How will EU plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine work?
The European Commission has proposed supplying Ukraine with $90 billion over 2026–27, covering roughly two-thirds of Kyiv’s financing needs and helping it enter any future peace talks from a position of strength. The preferred method is a so-called “reparations loan” backed by Russian state assets frozen in the EU since the 2022 invasion. Under this model, the assets — mostly held at Euroclear in Belgium — would remain legally Russian, but the EU would use them as collateral to raise money for Ukraine, with the expectation that Russia would eventually repay the loan through war-damage reparations.
The plan has run into firm resistance from Belgium, which argues that using the frozen assets in this way exposes the country and Euroclear to huge legal and financial risks, potentially triggering decades of litigation. Belgium has instead pushed the Commission to rely on common EU borrowing, where the bloc collectively raises funds on international markets backed by its long-term budget. Some EU institutions, including the European Central Bank, have also warned that the reparations-loan model could undermine financial stability or violate rules governing sovereign assets.
Whether the EU ultimately taps the frozen Russian funds or opts for joint borrowing, member states must reach unanimous agreement before any package is approved by leaders and the European Parliament. If they do endorse the proposal, Ukraine could secure the long-term funding it needs to sustain its economy and defence; if not, Brussels will have to fall back on more conventional — and politically delicate — financing tools to keep support flowing.
Dec 03, 2025 at 01:00 PM EST
WATCH: EU policy chief says forcing Ukraine to surrender not in anyone’s interests
Dec 03, 2025 at 12:44 PM EST
Polish official says Europe is building security against – and not with – Russia
Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski said that the NATO-Russia Council “no longer exists” as Europe focuses on building security against, and not with, Russia.
“Today, we are creating European security against Russia, and this has finally found its institutional expression,” he said after today's NATO meeting.
He added that the NATO-Russia Council, , a forum established in 2002, was founded in another time, when "European security could be built with Russia, [but] those times [are] now gone due to Russian decisions on invasions.”
Sikorski added that the E.U.'s proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, could be a key decider in ending the war.
“If Putin concludes that Ukraine has this money and can finance both the state and its defense for two or three years, he will have to recalculate (whether) he can afford to continue his war for 2-3 years,” he said.
Dec 03, 2025 at 12:30 PM EST
Ukrainian prime minister welcomes EU proposal to use frozen Russian assets
Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko has welcomed the EU’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets to financially support Ukraine.
“A stable, predictable, and justice-based approach gives our people confidence, protects essential public services, and strengthens Ukraine’s path toward full European integration,” she said on Wednesday, adding that the proposal backed the idea that "aggression must never be rewarded."
“We look forward to continued close cooperation with all EU Member States and to the European Council’s final endorsement,” she said. “Ukraine continues to do its part – with steady resolve, clear purpose, and unbroken determination. And with European unity behind us, we have both the means and the will to prevail together.”
Dec 03, 2025 at 12:13 PM EST
U.S.-Russia talks end without breakthrough on Ukraine peace deal
Lengthy talks between U.S. negotiators and Russian President Vladimir Putin ended Tuesday without a breakthrough on a potential peace agreement, Kremlin officials said.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner traveled to Moscow for the high-level discussions, part of renewed efforts by the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin aide Yuri Ushakov described the five-hour meeting as “useful, constructive, and highly substantive,” but acknowledged that “a compromise option was not found.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that while “some things” were accepted by Putin, others were deemed unacceptable.
Key sticking points remain, including Russia’s demand that Ukraine surrender territory and abandon its NATO ambitions — conditions Kyiv has long rejected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government is preparing for talks with U.S. officials, pledging to work “constructively in pursuit of a real peace.”
European leaders expressed skepticism following the Moscow talks. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Putin “is not interested in peace,” adding, “Putin started the war in Ukraine – and he can end it at any time.”
Dec 03, 2025 at 11:59 AM EST
Zelensky hails budget approval as signal of stability
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the passage of the country’s 2026 budget is proof that Ukraine remains politically stable despite recent turmoil in his government.
In a statement on Telegram, Zelensky called the budget vote “clear evidence” to allies that there are “no internal grounds for instability.” He described the measure as an “important signal of Ukraine’s stability and stable financial provision” for the year ahead, adding that he is working with partners to secure international financial support.
The comments come days after Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, resigned following an anti-corruption raid on his home, a development that has fueled questions about the government’s cohesion.
Dec 03, 2025 at 11:48 AM EST
Rutte says NATO ‘ready and willing’ to defend its territory
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned that the alliance is "ready and willing" to defend its territory.
“Finally, Nato is a defensive alliance. We will remain a defensive alliance, but make no mistake, we are ready and willing to do what it takes to protect our 1 billion people and secure our territory," he said.
Dec 03, 2025 at 11:40 AM EST
NATO chief Rutte warns Putin: ‘We’re not going anywhere’
NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that "we are not going anywhere" as the Russian president ramps up military spending.
"Putin believes he can outlast us," he said, before pointing to the treaty members' support for Ukraine as proof the Russian leader is "wrong."
Rutte, speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, warned against Russia's "increasingly reckless behavior" as he urged allies to invest at least five percent of their GDP in defense spending as Moscow spends 40 percent of its state budget on defense.
"We have to react," he added.
The NATO Secretary General said that it was important to continue to pile the pressure on Russia, even if he was no longer sure the peace process will be successful.
Rutte also praised President Donald Trump's peace efforts, calling him "the only one person in the whole world who is able to break the deadlock."
Dec 03, 2025 at 11:26 AM EST
Russia accuses west of politicizing anti-terrorism efforts
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky criticized Western nations for what he described as a lack of genuine commitment to global counter-terrorism cooperation.
Speaking at the BRICS+ 2025 anti-terrorism conference, Lyubinsky argued that Western governments often politicize the fight against terrorism and apply double standards. “They fail to view terrorism as an unequivocal evil or pursue a zero-tolerance policy,” he said, accusing the West of using the issue to advance neo-colonial ambitions and maintain global dominance.
Lyubinsky claimed that military interventions by Western powers have fueled instability in several regions, while stressing that Russia opposes the use of terrorist groups for geopolitical purposes. He called such practices unacceptable and urged for more meaningful international collaboration to address rising security threats.
Dec 03, 2025 at 11:12 AM EST
Territorial disputes remain central to Ukraine peace talks
Territory remains the most contentious issue in negotiations on a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the “territorial issue the most difficult” element of the talks, reiterating Kyiv’s refusal to surrender land still under its control.
The Kremlin insists Ukraine must cede parts of the east, including areas where hundreds of thousands of civilians live in the Donetsk “fortress belt” cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk and Druzhkivka. Ukrainian officials say such concessions are unacceptable to the public.
Heavy fighting persists in Pokrovsk, a strategic town that Russia claims to have captured. Ukraine disputes this, saying battles are ongoing.
A U.S.-backed draft peace plan proposes recognizing Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk as “de facto Russian,” without requiring formal legal recognition. It also suggests freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzia while Russia withdraws from occupied areas in Kharkiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv.
Zelensky has warned that allowing Moscow to seize territory by force would set a dangerous precedent.
Dec 03, 2025 at 10:59 AM EST
Belgium pushes back on EU plan to use frozen Russian assets
Belgium has voiced strong opposition to the European Union’s proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund a €140 billion loan to Ukraine, Reuters reported.
Ahead of the European Commission’s presentation of detailed legal proposals, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the plan failed to address his country’s concerns. “We have the frustrating feeling of not having been heard. Our concerns are being downplayed,” he told reporters at a NATO meeting in Brussels.
Prévot said Belgium wants guarantees from other EU states to cover potential legal costs if Russia challenges the scheme in court, as well as assurances that funds could be quickly returned to Moscow if required. He also demanded that other countries holding frozen Russian assets contribute equally to Ukraine.
Belgium, which hosts the largest share of Russia’s frozen assets, has effectively blocked the initiative. Prime Minister Bart De Wever warned the plan could carry serious economic and geopolitical risks.
The Commission is expected to present legislation in the coming days, while EU members explore alternatives, including a bridge loan financed through market borrowing to support Ukraine in early 2026. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has backed the reparation loan proposal, but the European Central Bank has refused to endorse it.
Dec 03, 2025 at 10:46 AM EST
Oil prices rise amid war uncertainty and energy strikes
Oil prices climbed on December 3 as geopolitical tensions and continued attacks on Russian energy facilities unsettled global markets, Bloomberg reported.
Brent crude traded at about $63 per barrel, with analysts noting that prices have hovered in the low $60s over the past week without a clear trend. Markets are not factoring in a rapid peace deal between Russia and Ukraine or the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil.
Analysts said geopolitical risks are adding a premium to prices, offsetting concerns about oversupply. U.S. statements on Venezuela and President Donald Trump’s hints at possible Pentagon strikes on drug cartels also contributed to market volatility.
The Kremlin described talks between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “useful,” though no agreement was reached. European defense stocks rose while Ukrainian bonds fell, reflecting investor caution.
The latest price movement follows weeks of sharp fluctuations. After hitting a one-month low on November 26, oil rebounded, dipped again on November 27 amid ceasefire speculation, and rose on December 1 after OPEC+ pledged stable production. Prices steadied on December 2 as markets weighed risks from drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Industry data showed U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.5 million barrels last week, with gasoline stocks also increasing. Updated government figures on demand are expected later Wednesday.
Dec 03, 2025 at 10:32 AM EST
NATO ministers focus on Ukraine, Russia and China in Brussels talks
NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels continued discussions on Wednesday on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joining a working lunch with alliance officials.
Sybiha said on X that he met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to review “the latest details on our progress in peace efforts and next steps to put an end to the war.”
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky wrote on X that support for Ukraine, the threat posed by Russia, and the growing challenge from China were at the top of the agenda.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told reporters that even if a ceasefire is reached, “Russia is and will remain a direct military threat to NATO.”
Dec 03, 2025 at 10:19 AM EST
Hungary, Slovakia to challenge EU gas phase-out
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said Wednesday that his country, along with Slovakia, will contest the European Union’s provisional agreement to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027.
Speaking to reporters after the deal was announced, Szijjártó warned the measure would leave Hungary “vulnerable,” undermine energy security, and sharply raise household energy bills. He called the plan “impossible” to implement within the proposed timeframe and said Budapest will launch legal action once the EU decision is finalized.
The challenge comes as the EU moves toward ending reliance on Russian energy, a policy framed as part of its response to the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the agreement, claiming it would drive up energy costs across Europe and hasten the bloc’s economic decline.
Dec 03, 2025 at 10:05 AM EST
Ukraine denies reports of Pokrovsk capture, fighting continues
Ukraine’s military rejected claims that Russian forces had fully seized Pokrovsk, saying its troops remain engaged in defensive operations.
Major Andriy Kovalov, spokesperson for the General Staff, told RBC-Ukraine that reports in German outlet Bild describing the battle as “finished” were inaccurate. “The situation in Pokrovsk is extremely difficult. But Ukraine’s Defense Forces continue to hold the northern part of the city along the railway line. Our units are also carrying out active operations to eliminate enemy pockets,” he said.
Kovalov added that Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnohrad are working to strengthen logistics and block Russian attempts to assemble assault groups.
Heavy fog has complicated the defense, with Russian troops attempting to exploit low visibility to infiltrate the city. Kovalov noted that Russian soldiers recently tried to plant a flag in Pokrovsk for a propaganda video but fled immediately afterward.
According to the General Staff’s morning update, Ukrainian defenders repelled 52 Russian assault actions in the Pokrovsk direction on December 2, including near Volodymyrivka, Maiak, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, and other settlements.
Dec 03, 2025 at 09:51 AM EST
Explosion hits Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia
An explosion struck a section of Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline overnight on December 1, disrupting one of the country’s key routes for supplying crude to Europe, according to intelligence sources.
The blast occurred near Kazinskiye Vyselki on the Taganrog–Lipetsk stretch of the pipeline. Defense intelligence officials said remote-detonated explosives combined with flammable mixtures were used to intensify the fire. Local residents reported hearing a loud rumble and seeing bright flashes in the sky.
Ukraine has targeted Druzhba infrastructure on Russian territory several times in recent months, temporarily halting oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia. The strikes prompted Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to warn that Budapest could suspend electricity exports to Ukraine if attacks continued.
In August, Hungary barred Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, from entering the country and the wider Schengen Area. Despite interruptions, Hungary and Slovakia later resumed receiving Russian oil through Druzhba after repairs.
Dec 03, 2025 at 09:36 AM EST
Former Ukrainian PM says Zelensky’s weak position could speed peace efforts
Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov said President Volodymyr Zelensky is in a weakened political position, which could potentially accelerate efforts toward a settlement in the war with Russia.
Commenting on Tuesday’s talks in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and businessman Jared Kushner, Azarov argued that Zelensky faces mounting challenges at home.
“Zelensky is now in a very weak position, as is the entire Kiev regime,” Azarov said. He pointed to growing disagreements within the Verkhovna Rada, including among Zelensky’s former allies, as evidence of political strain.
Azarov suggested that the pressure could push the peace process forward, though he cautioned against making firm predictions. “He is going through tough times. Perhaps this will make the process move along faster. We will have to see,” he noted.
Dec 03, 2025 at 09:20 AM EST
Zelensky meeting with Kushner and Witkoff called off after Moscow talks
A planned meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff in Brussels was canceled, according to Kyiv Post correspondent Alex Raufoglu. He reported on X that Zelensky was returning home after the talks were scrapped.
Raufoglu earlier cited sources confirming that Zelensky was scheduled to meet the pair following their visit to Moscow. On Tuesday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Kushner and Witkoff for five hours of discussions on a possible settlement in Ukraine.
Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said the talks did not address the specific wording of the U.S. peace plan but focused instead on the broader substance of related documents, particularly territorial issues.
Ushakov added that the U.S. delegation planned to return directly to the United States rather than travel to Kyiv. Aviation sources told TASS that Witkoff’s plane left Moscow and was handed over to Canadian air traffic control at 3:45 a.m. GMT.
Dec 03, 2025 at 09:04 AM EST
Overnight strikes reported in Donetsk region
Ukraine and Russia reported fresh strikes overnight, with Ukrainian authorities releasing images of damage in the Donetsk region.
According to Ukraine’s national police service, the attacks hit several towns, including Kostyantynivka, Sloviansk, Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka and Vodyanske. Officials said five residential buildings were destroyed, leaving two people dead.
Dec 03, 2025 at 08:50 AM EST
Russia says military bases in Syria aid regional stability
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said Moscow’s military bases in Syria remain fully operational and continue to play a key role in stabilizing the region.
Speaking to RTVI, Vershinin argued that the facilities, along with Russia’s broader military presence, “contribute significantly to stabilizing the situation in Syria and the broader region.” He added that the bases can also be used to receive and distribute humanitarian aid, which he described as vital for Syria.
Vershinin stressed that no sanctions currently restrict Russia’s military-technical cooperation with Damascus, noting that all activities are carried out in line with bilateral agreements and regional security goals.
Russia operates two major facilities in Syria: the naval logistics base in Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province. In December 2024, President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow had offered to use the sites for humanitarian deliveries. According to TASS, Syria’s new leadership has no immediate plans to end the agreements allowing Russia to maintain its presence there.
Dec 03, 2025 at 08:37 AM EST
Moscow talks end without breakthrough as NATO meets on Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin met U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Tuesday, but the talks produced no breakthrough on a peace plan for Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted it would be inaccurate to say Putin rejected Washington’s proposals outright.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he is dispatching two officials to meet President Trump’s team in the United States. The envoys are also expected to brief NATO delegations in Brussels today, where foreign ministers are gathering to discuss next steps in efforts to end the war.
In a separate development, the European Union confirmed it will halt imports of Russian natural gas by autumn 2027, part of its broader strategy to cut energy ties with Moscow.
Further updates are expected at a NATO news conference led by Secretary General Mark Rutte at 15:30 local time (14:30 GMT).
Dec 03, 2025 at 08:22 AM EST
Also in the news: EU still paying Russia $1.76 billion monthly for fossil fuels, von der Leyen says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday that the European Union continues to pay Russia about €1.5 billion ($1.76 billion USD) each month for fossil fuel imports, despite sharp reductions since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at a public event, von der Leyen declared the beginning of “an era of complete energy independence for Europe from Russia.” She highlighted that Russian gas imports have fallen from 45 percent to 13 percent, coal imports from 51 percent to zero, and crude oil from 26 percent to 2 percent.
Von der Leyen stressed that cutting reliance on Russian energy has significantly reduced Moscow’s revenues used to finance its war effort. “At the beginning of the war, we were paying Russia €12 billion per month for fossil fuels, and now this amount has decreased to €1.5 billion per month, which is still too much, and we aim to reduce it to zero,” she said.
Dec 03, 2025 at 08:08 AM EST
U.S. holds back public comment after Moscow peace talks
The United States has yet to issue an official statement on Tuesday’s peace talks in Moscow, even as NATO allies and Russian officials have weighed in. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was absent from a NATO meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, with Deputy Christopher Landau representing Washington instead.
In a Fox News interview aired Tuesday night, Rubio acknowledged that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia had made “some progress, but we’re not there yet.” He rejected calls for Washington to avoid direct engagement with Moscow, calling such a stance “irrational.”
“You can’t end a war between Russia and Ukraine without talking to Russia,” Rubio said, adding that it was “not realistic” to expect the U.S. to fund Ukraine indefinitely.
Rubio emphasized that the outcome rests with Kyiv and Moscow. “At the end of the day, you know, it’s not up to us. It’s not our war. We’re not fighting it,” he said.
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Dec 03, 2025 at 07:54 AM EST
Russian security official accuses west of prolonging Ukraine conflict
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Yury Kokov on Wednesday accused Western leaders of deliberately extending the war in Ukraine to distract from domestic crises. Speaking at the BRICS+ 2025 Counter-Terrorism Conference, Kokov said European governments were using anti-Russian rhetoric to mask economic and social problems at home.
“It is clear that destructive Russophobic tendencies of most modern Western politicians are driven primarily by internal crises and the desire to divert the attention of their citizens,” Kokov argued. He added that the harsher the internal situation becomes, the more aggressively leaders portray Russia as an external threat.
Kokov also criticized the European Union’s financial support for Ukraine through the European Peace Facility, calling it a “manifestation of cynicism and hypocrisy.” He claimed much of the funding is misused, ending up with companies tied to EU officials and siphoned off by Ukrainian authorities and their allies.
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:41 AM EST
Kremlin keeps details of U.S. peace plan documents under wraps
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday declined to provide any explanation for why Moscow received exactly four new documents tied to the U.S. peace plan for Ukraine or what they contained.
“No, we would not be characterizing anything at this time,” Peskov told reporters at a briefing when pressed on the matter.
His remarks followed comments from Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov, who revealed that after the initial version of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace proposal, Russia was handed four additional documents. Ushakov said those papers were reviewed during talks between President Vladimir Putin and American envoys.
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:28 AM EST
Kremlin stresses secrecy in U.S.-Russia peace talks on Ukraine
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday declined to discuss any progress in negotiations between Russia and the United States over a potential peace plan for Ukraine, saying confidentiality was essential.
“It’s our prerogative to keep a lid on that,” Peskov told reporters when asked if Moscow had submitted written changes to the U.S. proposal. He argued that silence offered “a better chance of a good result,” adding that American negotiators should adopt the same approach.
The comments followed a lengthy meeting on Tuesday in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for five hours of talks. Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov later confirmed that the discussions touched on the U.S.-drafted peace plan, territorial issues, and other matters.
Joining the talks were Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for investment and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and American businessman Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Dec 03, 2025 at 07:05 AM EST
Kremlin denies reports Putin rejected U.S. peace plan for Ukraine
The Kremlin pushed back against claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a U.S.-backed peace proposal for Ukraine. Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that such assertions were inaccurate.
“No, it wouldn’t be correct to say so,” Peskov said when asked if Putin had rejected the plan outright.
Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov added that while discussions continue, no compromise has been reached. He noted that some aspects of Washington’s proposals could be considered, but others remain unacceptable.
“Some American proposals look more or less acceptable, but they need to be discussed. Part of the wording we were offered is unacceptable,” Ushakov explained.
Dec 03, 2025 at 06:52 AM EST
Europe Deal to Curb Russian Called ‘overdue Step’
An agreement by European leaders to phase out its dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 has been hailed as an “overdue step” by the Ukrainian group Razom We Stand.
In a move which is hoped to curb revenues for Moscow’s military machine, the European Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on Tuesday to phase out imports of Russian gas by 2027.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the deal as “the dawn of a new era” in which the continent can have “full energy independence from Russia.”
Razom We Stand, which campaigns to end the trade of Russian energy, said that the agreement was a “long-awaited breakthrough in Europe’s efforts to cut off the fossil-fuel revenues that fund Russia’s war machine.”
In a statement to Newsweek, Razom We Stand said the agreement comes at a decisive moment in which Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its fourth year, and Europe has struggled to close the remaining channels through which Russian pipeline gas, LNG, and oil products are rerouted through intermediaries entering the EU market.
Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of Razom We Stand, said the European agreement was “a long-overdue step toward dismantling one of the Kremlin’s most powerful economic weapons.”
“This regulation, if implemented without loopholes, brings Europe closer to honoring its promise to end this deadly dependency,” she said in a statement.
“Europe cannot repeat the mistakes that led to the 2022 energy crisis,” Romanko added. “This Regulation must be watertight. No exceptions. No backdoors. No return to dependency — ever.”
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Dec 03, 2025 at 06:31 AM EST
NATO Members Announce Military Support For Ukraine
Norway and Germany have announced new military packages to help Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
As NATO officials meet in Brussels on Wednesday, Norway announced it would contribute $500 million in funding for the alliance’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).
The initiative channels U.S-made weapons and equipment funded by European allies.
Norway’s announcement takes its PURL contribution to $835 million so far this year. Germany also announced Wednesday that it would provide $200 million in armaments for Ukraine PURL in two packages.
Berlin would also provide an additional €25 million ($29 million) for the "Comprehensive Assistance Package”, to provide Ukrainian troops with the required equipment for winter.
Aliona Hetmanchuk, the head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, had said earlier on Tuesday that Kyiv anticipates around $16 billion of U.S. weapons will be provided under the PURL scheme in 2026.
Dec 03, 2025 at 06:03 AM EST
Ukraine Will Next Discuss Deal With Trump Envoys In US: Zelensky
Kyiv’s representatives will start preparations for a meeting with the Trump administration envoys to discuss a peace deal in the U.S., Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
The comments by Ukraine’s president follow an unconfirmed report picked up Ukrainian media that planned discussions between Zelensky and the U.S. delegation due to take place on Wednesday had been cancelled.
Zelensky posted on X that there would be meetings on Wednesday in Brussels involving Ukraine’s security council secretary, Rustem Umerov, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov and European national security advisers.
Zelensky said that his team will brief European officials about Tuesday’s talks, after which there would be preparations “for a meeting with envoys of President Trump in the United States.”
However, the Ukrainian president did not mention any meeting with U.S. officials on Wednesday which had been teased by outlets, including Axios, which said that Witkoff and Kushner were expected to meet Zelensky to brief him on the talks “in Europe”.
But Kyiv Post journalist Alex Raufoglu said that a meeting planned for Brussels had been “called off,” citing unnamed sources adding that Zelensky was “returning home.”
”Two sources with direct knowledge confirm to me that President Zelensky is slated to meet in Brussels tonight with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, following their Moscow visit,” Raufoglu said in a post reported by Ukrainian media.
Newsweek has contacted the Ukrainian president’s office for comment.
Dec 03, 2025 at 05:32 AM EST
Kremlin Clarifies Putin’s Stance on Trump Ukraine Peace Plan
The Kremlin has said reports that Vladimir Putin had rejected U.S. peace proposals were not correct.
During his daily briefing on Wednesday, Dmitry Peskov responded to a question about the outcome of talks the previous day involving President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Peskov said that on Tuesday, there was a “direct exchange of opinions” from the Russian and American sides in which some points were accepted and some were not, a process he described as “normal.”
When asked if Putin had rejected U.S. peace proposals, Peskov replied “that would not be correct,” according to the state-run TASS news agency.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov had earlier said that a compromise version of the peace plan had not yet been found, although some U.S. proposals were acceptable, while others “do not suit us.”
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Dec 03, 2025 at 05:14 AM EST
Putin Ally Mocks Female EU leaders Over War Diplomacy
Former Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, has mocked the efforts by female European leaders to end the war in Ukraine.
Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, posted on Telegram a tirade against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
In his post, Medvedev referred to the corruption scandal engulfing Federica Mogherini, who has been arrested in a fraud probe relating to contracts for training aspiring European diplomats.
She now heads the College of Europe graduate school in Bruges and Medvedev referred to the film "In Bruges" about two British hitmen laying low in the Belgian city who meet their demise.
"One can only hope that these two deranged witches will soon follow in Ms. Mogherini’s footsteps," Medvedev said "or end up like the two protagonists of the movie.”
“While Russia and the US are negotiating an end to the conflict, frigid Europe, led by the half-mad old ladies Ursula and Kaja, are vigorously pushing for war to the last Ukrainian,” he wrote.
Since the start of the war, Medvedev has pushed fierce anti-western rhetoric and nuclear threats, which while not necessarily reflecting Kremlin thinking, is likely to have the backing of Moscow.
Read more here
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Dec 03, 2025 at 04:42 AM EST
Russian Drones in NATO Airspace ‘reckless Says Alliance Chief
Russian drones and missiles that breach NATO’s airspace are “reckless and dangerous” the alliance’s chief Mark Rutte has said.
Ahead of the NATO roundtable of foreign ministers on Wednesday, Rutte referred to the spate of drones which have violated the alliance’s territory as well as alleged sabotage attacks and hybrid measures.
Rutte said that NATO is increasing its defense investments and that “but we all need to pull our weight" adding that as Russian attacks continue this winter, Ukraine "needs our support more than ever."
He said that Russia is working closely with China, North Korea and Iran "to disrupt our societies and tear up the global rules."
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Dec 03, 2025 at 04:17 AM EST
Russian Oil Depot Hit in Ukrainian Drone Strike: Report
Another Russian oil depot was hit in a Ukrainian drone strike, sparking a fire, it has been reported.
Governor of Russia's Tambov region, Yevgeny Pervishov, said that the drone hit the site in the settlement of Dmitrievka overnight Tuesday.
He said that the attack was launched by Ukraine, although Kyiv has not commented and often does not announce immediate responsibility for strikes on Russian territory.
Footage of an explosion and fire were circulated on Ukrainian and Russian Telegram channels purporting to be from the strike, although the images have not been independently verified.
Ukraine has continued to targeted oil facilities in Russia to disrupt Moscow's military machine and hit Russia’s key export.
Dec 03, 2025 at 04:07 AM EST
Two Killed in Latest Russian Drone and Missile Barrage
Two people were killed and 38 injured during a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight Tuesday, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.
The Kyiv Independent reported explosions and drones around 1 a.m. local time while air raid alerts were activated across the entire country.
There were further attacks on Kyiv around 7 a.m. local time, when Russian forces again launched dozens of missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 596 drones and 36 missiles and that air defenses intercepted 558 drones and 19 missiles.
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