Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky and Macron discuss French troops as Kim ‘oversees’ North Korean training
Zelensky seeks support from international community to force Putin to sit down at the negotiating table
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and French leader Emmanuel Macron have discussed the possibility of France sending troops to Ukraine.
Mr Macron became the first European leader to discuss the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine earlier this year.
“We continued working on President Macron’s initiative regarding the presence of forces in Ukraine that could contribute to stabilising the path to peace,” Mr Zelensky said.
It comes as South Korea suggested there were indications that North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia. Around 1,00 have been killed while fighting in Russia, according to South Korean intelligence, with roughly 1,000 more injured.
Member of the South Korean parliament Lee Seong-kweun said there was also intelligence that North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un was overseeing the training.
Ukraine and its allies estimate that North Korea has deployed between 10,000 and 12,000 troops so far to aid Russia’s war effort. The Pentagon said the soldiers were largely deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces were battling a Ukrainian ground incursion since August.
UK announces new funding for Ukraine amid ‘critical’ situation
Suspected assassin of Russian general Igor Kirillov arrested, Moscow says
Behind enemy lines: Ukraine’s deadly assassins have terrorised Russia with nuclear general their latest victim
What's known about the brazen bombing that killed a top Russian general in Moscow
Watch live: Putin takes questions from Russian people in end-of-year phone-in
Watch live: Putin takes questions from Russian people in end-of-year phone-in
Watch live as Russian president Vladimir Putin takes calls from Russian people during an end-of-year phone-in on Thursday, 19 December, during the third winter of his Ukraine invasion.
Zelensky says unity between US and EU needed to achieve peace in Ukraine
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said unity between the US and European Union is needed to achieve peace in Ukraine as he arrived at the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Protection of Ukraine‘s energy sector, an increase in Ukraine‘s arms production and urgent help for the education system will be on the agenda during the visit, Mr Zelensky added.
Early push for peace in Ukraine would lead to bad deal, EU's Kallas says
Europe should focus its efforts on supporting Ukraine and not engage in premature calls for peace negotiations, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday.
“We have to talk how we can support Ukraine more. Any push for negotiations too soon will actually be a bad deal for Ukraine,” Kallas said before a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
Early push for peace in Ukraine would lead to bad deal, EU's Kallas says
Europe should focus its efforts on supporting Ukraine and not engage in premature calls for peace negotiations, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday.
“We have to talk how we can support Ukraine more. Any push for negotiations too soon will actually be a bad deal for Ukraine,” Kallas said before a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
UK may send British troops to Ukraine to train soldiers, defence secretary suggests
UK may send British troops to Ukraine to train soldiers, defence secretary suggests
John Healey has said Britain needs to ‘make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need’ and left the door open to it taking place in the war-torn country
At least 100 North Korean troops killed in Ukraine war, South Korean MP says
At least 100 North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been killed in combat in the Ukraine war and around 1,000 have been wounded, a South Korean member of parliament told reporters on Thursday, citing the country’s intelligence agency.
Russian missile attack damages apartment buildings, infrastructure, Ukrainian officials say
A Russian missile attack damaged residential buildings and infrastructure in Ukraine‘s Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the Ukrainian military said on Thursday.
Russia used two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and a Kh-59/69 guided missile in its attack, the air force said.
The attack damaged infrastructure, two apartment buildings, a hospital, and a school in Dnipropetrovsk region, its governor Serhiy Lysak said. He said there were no casualties.
A missile attack on the northeastern Sumy region damaged nine private residences, regional authorities said without reporting any casualties.
Russia also used 85 drones to attack Ukraine overnight of which 40 “imitator drones” did not reach their targets and 45 other drones were shot down, the air force added.
Ukraine's air force says it shot down 45 Russian drones launched overnight
The Ukrainian air force said on Thursday that Russia launched 85 drones to attack Ukraine overnight of which 40 “imitator drones” did not reach their targets and 45 other drones were shot down.
Russia also launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and an Kh-59/69 guided missile during the attack, the air force said.
The missile attack damaged apartment buildings and municipal property in Sumy and Dnirpopetrovsk regions, according to the statement.
Ukraine and UK military chiefs hold phone call
Ukraine and the UK’s military chiefs have spoken over the phone about continued coordination, Kyiv has said.
Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, posting on X, formerly Twitter, said he had spoken to his UK counterpart Admiral Sir Tony Radakin about future British support.
“Admiral Radakin assured of continued support for Ukraine, some aspects of which will be significantly increased in 2025,” he wrote.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments