It’s not up to Putin to decide how Ukraine holds its elections, says Zelensky
Zelensky lashed out at Putin on Saturday after the Russian president backed Donald Trump’s calls for Ukrainian elections.
The Ukrainian leader said it was not for Putin to decide how elections should be held in Ukraine.
He also said that elections can only be held when security is guaranteed.
Zelensky has faced pressure from Trump to face fresh elections during wartime – a move the public strongly opposes, including swathes who would see Zelensky leave office after the war ends, according to recent polling.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 16:01
Putin envoy ‘to travel to Miami for talks’
It is now the turn of Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to head to Miami for talks, Reuters reported on Saturday.
Kirill Dmitriev wrote on social media that he was on the way to Miami earlier today.
“As warmongers keep working overtime to undermine the US peace plan for Ukraine, I remembered this video from my previous visit – light breaking through the storm clouds,” he said.
Ukraine’s delegation was in the US with European diplomats yesterday to discuss peace proposals with the Trump administration.
A Russian source told Reuters they were not expecting three-way talks.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 15:13
Artist’s battlefield collection captures the lived experience of Ukraine’s resistance to invasion
In a basement near Kyiv’s Maidan Square, Ukrainian street artist Maxim Kilderov has assembled a grim collection of battlefield relics which together form an unofficial record of Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainian street artist Maxim Kilderov stands by his painting containing symbols and messages of resistance (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
For Kilderov, who endured 55 days under Russian occupation in Nova Kakhovka in southern Ukraine, the objects are evidence of a war he insists must not be defined by official narratives alone.
Ukrainian street artist Maxim Kilderov holds a Russian ceremonial uniform in his private museum (AP)
As he spoke to The Associated Press, he wore a red MAGA hat — a gesture he described as deliberate irony, reflecting the vulnerability of a country reliant on foreign aid that can be paused or withdrawn without warning.
Ukrainian street artist Maxim Kilderov stands with a collection of battlefield artifacts documenting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in his private museum in Kyiv (AP)
Currently an invitation-only exhibition, he plans to turn the site into a museum conveying the gravity of war.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 14:30
Putin’s goals unchanged since Ukraine invasion, US intelligence says
US intelligence reports have warned that Moscow’s goals have not changed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite president Vladimir Putin denying that he poses a threat to Europe.
Even as negotiations are underway to end the war, Putin is seeking control of all of Ukraine and territories of former Soviet bloc states, including members of the Nato alliance, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with US intelligence.
“The intelligence has always been that Putin wants more. The Europeans are convinced of it. The Poles are absolutely convinced of it. The Baltics think they’re first,” Mike Quigley, a Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Reuters.
Putin pictured on Friday (AP)
James Reynolds20 December 2025 14:01
Russia accused of deliberately targeting civilians.
Moscow’s troops are deliberately targeting civilian logistics routes in the Odesa region, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister said on Saturday.
Russia today struck reservoirs in Ukraine’s southern Pivdennyi port, Oleksiy Kuleba said on the Telegram app.
It came a day after a missile strike killed eight people there.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 13:29
Ukraine to make sea drones with Portugal
Ukraine and Portugal have agreed on the joint production of Ukrainian sea drones.
Ukraine’s presidential aide Oleksandr Kamyshin wrote on social media today that after proving their worth, the drones “will help Portugal defend Europe from the sea”.
A Ukrainian sea drone (file) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
James Reynolds20 December 2025 12:54
‘I was a British POW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined the Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the World of Trouble podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
James Reynolds20 December 2025 12:29
ICYMI: Questions flagged by Russians to Putin during Friday’s major conference
During the more than four-and-a-half-hour televised conference yesterday, Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke to reporters as questions from Russians flashed on screens in the hall.
Many of the questions focused on Russians’ financial concerns amid a slowing economy and high inflation.
“When you will return the ‘normal internet?’ It’s impossible to even send a question to the president!” one question asked.
“Are you going to nominate yourself to run for president in 2030?” asked another.
“Stop price increases!” said another.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 12:01
Ukraine cannot continue to survive on Europe’s starvation rations
Editorial: Despite agreeing to a €90bn interest-free loan that could keep Kyiv afloat for two years, European leaders seem unduly nervous about forcing Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. If Europe is ever to defeat Russia, it must now go further – or risk humiliation:
Ukraine cannot continue to survive on Europe’s starvation rations
Editorial: Despite agreeing to a €90bn interest-free loan that could keep Kyiv afloat for two years, European leaders seem unduly nervous about forcing Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. If Europe is ever to defeat Russia, it must now go further – or risk humiliation
James Reynolds20 December 2025 11:37
Russia claims two villages in Ukraine
Russia claims to have seized the villages of Svitle and Vysoke in Donetsk and Sumy regions respectively.
Russia’s Defence Ministry made the claims on social media on Saturday.
The Independent could not independently confirm the battlefield report.
James Reynolds20 December 2025 11:04