I will bring you more on these lines in a moment.<\/p>\n
As always with Putin, there is always a bit (or a fair bit more that that) of posturing, but it\u2019s a clear and direct warning towards Europe as the talks with the US are about to get under way.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.28 EST<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2m ago<\/p>\n Putin’s hawkish remarks dial up pressure before key talks with US on Ukraine \u2014 snap analysis<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 18m ago<\/p>\n Putin attacks Europe for unacceptable demands, hindering peace talks<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 24m ago<\/p>\n The Russian advances near Pokrovsk \u2014 visuals<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 24m ago<\/p>\n Russia’s Putin says Pokrovsk holds ‘special significance’ for army goals<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 28m ago<\/p>\n The slow death of Pokrovsk \u2014 profile<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 46m ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy’s comments in Dublin \u2014 summary<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy declines to criticise Ireland for changes to refugee support rules<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Ireland ready to take part in peacekeeping forces, Martin says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Territory, frozen assets, security guarantees key part of peace talks, Zelenskyy says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy says ‘no simple solutions’ to end war<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Ireland’s Martin backs plans to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘High time to transfer them to Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy says on frozen Russian assets<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says ‘more than ever’ there is chance to end war, but ‘some things still need to be worked out’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n ‘Your struggle is our struggle,’ Martin says as he declares Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s EU path<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Putin ‘must never be allowed to succeed,’ Martin says, as Zelenskyy’s visit comes at ‘critical’ time for Ukraine<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Nato secretary general Rutte ‘confident’ efforts will ‘eventually restore peace’ in Europe<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy’s visit to Government Buildings in Dublin \u2014 in pictures<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Ireland promises \u20ac125m in funding for Ukraine on non-lethal military support, energy<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy begins his Ireland trip – in pictures<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy begins Ireland visit<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 4h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy’s job during Ireland trip is to stop things fraying as first cracks in position towards Ukraine appear \u2014 analysis<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy says Ukraine takes peace talks with ‘utmost seriousness’ as he gets debrief on progress so far<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 5h ago<\/p>\n Russian claims on taking control of Pokrovsk ‘overexaggeration’ even as situation is difficult, Ukrainian MP says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n All eyes on key city of Pokrovsk as US-Russia talks on Ukraine continue<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 6h ago<\/p>\n Ireland’s Harris pays tribute to country’s Ukrainian community<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 7h ago<\/p>\n Zelenskyy makes first visit to Ireland<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 8h ago<\/p>\n Russia claims full capture of Pokrovsk<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 10h ago<\/p>\n Opening summary<\/p>\n <\/a>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n Putin’s hawkish remarks dial up pressure before key talks with US on Ukraine \u2014 snap analysis Russian affairs reporter<\/p>\n Russian president Vladimir Putin<\/a> on Tuesday insisted he was not seeking a war with Europe, but warned that \u201cif Europe wants to fight, we are ready right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Russian president Vladimir Putin speaks with journalists as he attends the VTB Investment Forum in Moscow, Russia. Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky\/Reuters<\/p>\n In a series of hawkish remarks delivered to reporters moments before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump\u2019s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the Kremlin, Putin accused European governments of sabotaging the peace process and declared that \u201cEuropean demands are not acceptable to Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEurope is preventing the US administration from achieving peace on Ukraine<\/a>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Putin did not clarify which European demands on Ukraine he found unacceptable.<\/p>\n But his comments appeared aimed at driving a wedge between Washington and European capitals, which have backed Kyiv in proposing revisions to a 28-point peace plan developed in earlier US\u2013Russia contacts that dramatically favoured Moscow.<\/p>\n The Russian leader also threatened retaliation against Ukraine\u2019s ports and ships after Kyiv in recent days struck several vessels in Russia\u2019s so-called \u201cshadow fleet\u201d in the Black Sea.<\/p>\n Russia, he warned, would \u201cstep up strikes on Ukrainian ports and on any ships entering them\u201d in response to attacks on Russian tankers, which he described as \u201cpiracy.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Putin attacks Europe for unacceptable demands, hindering peace talks<\/p>\n We are also getting some other strong lines from Russia\u2019s Putin, with the Russian leader quoted as rejecting the European proposals as \u201cnot acceptable to Russia.\u201d<\/p>\n He also accused European leaders for \u201chindering\u201d US proposals and insisted they \u201cdo not have a peaceful agenda.\u201d (sic!)<\/p>\n He added that Russia<\/a> did not want a war with Europe, but \u201cif Europe wants to fight war, we are ready now,\u201d he is reported by Reuters as saying.<\/p>\n I will bring you more on these lines in a moment.<\/p>\n As always with Putin, there is always a bit (or a fair bit more that that) of posturing, but it\u2019s a clear and direct warning towards Europe as the talks with the US are about to get under way.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.28 EST<\/p>\n The Russian advances near Pokrovsk \u2014 visualsThe map of Russian advances near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine<\/a>A broader map of eastern Ukraine and Russian advances<\/a>Share<\/a>Russia’s Putin says Pokrovsk holds ‘special significance’ for army goals<\/p>\n And right on cue, Russia\u2019s Vladimir Putin<\/a> is quoted by Reuters as saying that the city is \u201cof a special significance, that\u2019s a great base for fulfilling goals.\u201d<\/p>\n He repeated the earlier claim that the city was \u201cfully in Russian army\u2019s control.\u201d<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at the map to see what\u2019s going on there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.18 EST<\/p>\n The slow death of Pokrovsk \u2014 profile Earlier today, I brought you a few lines on the importance of the key Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, which sees intense fighting between Russia and Ukraine and appears to be used by Russia to claim it is gaining the momentum on the battlefield (11:02<\/a>, 11:27<\/a>, 11:42<\/a>).<\/p>\n Pokrovsk Photograph: Julia Kochetova\/The Guardian<\/p>\n Our Dan Sabbagh has this brilliant profile on the 18-month battle that has left \u201cthe strategically important Ukrainian town in ruins.\u201d<\/p>\n For a time Pokrovsk was a haven, a wartime Ukrainian boom town because of its strategic position in the east, 30 miles (48km) from the front. But that was before the summer of 2024, when a rapid Russian advance engulfed the industrial centre in a shattering conflict, a duel only now reaching its endgame<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 18-month battle for Pokrovsk epitomises the current state of the Ukraine<\/a> war: an attritional struggle in which gradual Russian advances have been made at extraordinary human cost. Though it demonstrates Russia cannot easily capture urban areas, the fight has also drained Ukraine, and consequences are emerging elsewhere.<\/p>\n Such has been the level of destruction that Pokrovsk is no longer even strategically significant. Its population is decimated, its industry destroyed and supply routes are re-routed; instead it has become a bloody signpost as peace negotiations restart.<\/p>\n Photographs by Julia Kochetova.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.07 EST<\/p>\n Next up in Zelenskyy\u2019s schedule is his address to the Irish parliament.<\/p>\n He addressed in virtually in 2022 as part of his diplomatic push to galvanise support for Kyiv in the immediate aftermath of Russia\u2019s invasion on the country, but this time he will be able to deliver his remarks in person.<\/p>\n I will keep an eye on this and bring you the key lines when it starts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.58 EST<\/p>\n Zelenskyy’s comments in Dublin \u2014 summary<\/p>\n Speaking in Dublin, Ukraine\u2019s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that \u201cnow, more than ever, there is a chance to end this war,\u201d with a 20 points peace plan, even as \u201csome things still need to be worked out\u201d (15:12<\/a>).<\/p>\n Answering media questions alongside Irish prime minister Miche\u00e1l Martin, he listed territory discussions, the use of frozen assets, and future security guarantees for Ukraine as the three key issues in the talks (15:28<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Ukrainian president stressed that Kyiv wanted to \u201cstop the war in such a manner that in one year, Russia would not come back with a third invasion\u201d (15:24<\/a>).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ireland\u2019s Martin has declared that Russia\u2019s Vladimir Putin \u201cmust never be allowed to succeed\u201d in his war on Ukraine (15:07<\/a>), as he backed the EU\u2019s plans to use frozen Russian assets for supporting Ukraine\u2019s defence and reconstruction needs (15:20<\/a>), after Zelenskyy said it was \u201chigh time\u201d for Europe to move on this issue (15:14<\/a>).<\/p>\n Martin also mounted a passionate defence of the argument in favour of welcoming Ukraine into the European Union, telling Zelenskyy that \u201cyour struggle is our struggle\u201d and that he wanted Ukraine to make the most of the same opportunities that Ireland has benefited from (15:09<\/a>).<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Zelenskyy declines to criticise Ireland for changes to refugee support rules<\/p>\n Zelenskyy also gets asked about changes to the way the Irish government supports Ukrainian refugees in the country.<\/p>\n He declines to criticise Dublin saying \u201cthe way I was brought up, \u2026 I can\u2019t criticise for help \u2013 whether they\u2019re getting more or less \u2013 we should be grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n He stresses the shared values that underpin \u201cthe choice\u201d the Irish people have made to offer that assistance to the Ukrainians in need in the first place.<\/p>\n And that concludes the press conference.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ireland ready to take part in peacekeeping forces, Martin says<\/p>\n Asked about Ireland\u2019s willingness to get involved in a peacekeeping force, Martin confirms the political will to \u201cmonitoring any ceasefire or indeed aspects of a peace settlement,\u201d drawing on Ireland\u2019s experience in Lebanon, and Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are also, obviously, willing to help in reconstruction,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Territory, frozen assets, security guarantees key part of peace talks, Zelenskyy says<\/p>\n Asked about the latest on peace talks, Zelenskyy switches to English for the first time as he repeats the main point from earlier.<\/p>\n He says Ukraine<\/a> will \u201cwait for the results in US-Russia negotiations,\u201d and will react accordingly, with potential follow-up meetings.<\/p>\n But he says he wants to see the actual results of these talks.<\/p>\n He says he is not prepared to discuss all parts of the deal publicly, but says \u201cyou saw a lot of things in the media.\u201d<\/p>\n He says the most sensitive issues are about Ukraine\u2019s territories, the use of frozen Russian assets, and security guarantees for Ukraine, from the US, Europe<\/a> and other countries.<\/p>\n \u201cI think these three topics the most sensitive and the most important. And I think that our teams will continue to work on it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Zelenskyy says ‘no simple solutions’ to end war<\/p>\n Zelenskyy insists that \u201cnothing should be decided about Ukraine<\/a> without Ukraine,\u201d even as he admits there are \u201cno simple solutions\u201d to end the war.<\/p>\n He says the peace negotiations are \u201cnot an experiment\u201d for Ukraine, but something that will define the future of the country and the nation, and there should be no escaping the fact that Russia<\/a> has been the aggressor.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to stop the war in such a manner that in one year, Russia would not come back with a third invasion,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ireland’s Martin backs plans to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction<\/p>\n Martin gets asked about the use of frozen Russian assets, and he says that Ireland continue to support the use of these assets \u201cto fund the reconstruction of Ukraine<\/a>,\u201d and backs the European Commission\u2019s proposal for a collateral loan.<\/p>\n He says:<\/p>\n \u201cThe principle underpinning our position is that when the UN Charter is violated in such a brutal manner, when there is devastation of civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure, of cities and so forth, there has to be a deterrence against such behaviour into the future.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds:<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that the December meeting will come to a conclusion, we fully respect the concerns of the Belgium government, fully respect, and these issues have to be ironed out and it has to be a collective agreement across the European Union.<\/p>\n Yes, it will be challenging to get that collective agreement but Ireland\u2019s very clearly, supportive of the Commission\u2019s position.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zelenskyy says Ukraine<\/a> will be looking out for signals from today\u2019s US-Russia meeting in Moscow, and \u201cbased on these signals, what they will say, will decide our next steps.\u201d<\/p>\n He says Ukraine could meet with the US delegation next, depending on the outcome of these talks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zelenskyy also talks about the need to hold Russia<\/a> \u201caccountable for the aggression and war crimes,\u201d with a special tribunal working on this issue.<\/p>\n He ends with special thanks to all communities in Ireland that welcomed the Ukrainian refugees.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘High time to transfer them to Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy says on frozen Russian assets<\/p>\n Zelenskyy thanks for Ireland\u2019s new aid package for non-lethal weapons and energy, but also picks up on European efforts to fund Ukraine<\/a> with frozen Russian assets.<\/p>\n He says \u201cit is high time to transfer them to Ukraine, so we can reliably ensure both our defence and our recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis will benefit not only us, but also our partners. We will give more orders to countries that help us,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n![\"Pjotr](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Pjotr_Sauer_.png\")
Pjotr Sauer<\/p>\n![\"Dan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Dan-Sabbagh,-L.png\")
Dan Sabbagh<\/p>\n![\"Jakub](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Jakub_Krupa.png\")
Jakub Krupa<\/p>\n