NATO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing the current course of the war and further steps of the European Union. The next steps will be a meeting of European leaders on the sidelines of the G20, and then in Angola at the EU-AU meeting.

United States generals may arrive in Russia as early as next week for negotiations on Washington's proposed "peace plan" for Ukraine. According to sources, Russian President Putin liked the general structure of the plan, but it does not meet the Kremlin's key demands.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the extent of interaction between Russia and the United States regarding Trump's "peace plan" for Ukraine still needs clarification. The necessity of a conversation between Putin and Trump, as well as the level of contacts between Moscow and Washington concerning the plan, is yet to be determined.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the American proposal for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. The leaders emphasized the importance of supporting negotiation processes and the desire to achieve a just peace.

French and Ukrainian companies are intensifying negotiations on drone cooperation. The goal is to sign agreements by the end of the year, despite uncertain funding and competition.

Britain refused to pay 2 billion euros to participate in the EU defense fund, created to strengthen military capabilities. London offers only a few hundred million euros, while the EU demands billions in contributions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, discussing diplomatic opportunities and the plan proposed by the US. Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's readiness to work quickly and constructively for its implementation.

The Trump administration presented a 28-point "peace plan" for Ukraine, which envisages Russia's control over Donbas, a reduction of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and security guarantees similar to Article 5 of NATO. Military experts consider these guarantees ineffective and doubt Ukraine's signing of the plan.

The Élysée Palace emphasized that all decisions regarding the peace plan for Ukraine require common support and consensus from European partners and NATO allies. The statement reiterates key provisions about "unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace" and the need for "full involvement of Ukraine, preservation of its sovereignty, and ensuring its future security."

The European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Slovakia over the adoption of a constitutional amendment that declares the priority of national law over EU norms. This has escalated tensions between Brussels and Robert Fico's government.

Great Britain will offer Ukraine NATO-style security guarantees, which will include a military response to a future Russian attack. These guarantees will cover a 10-year period and are part of Trump's peace plan.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They reaffirmed their full support for Ukraine and discussed US efforts to end the war, emphasizing the need for European partners' approval for any peace agreement.

European leaders are urgently coordinating a response to the US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine. The initiative has caused panic and concern among European officials, who believe it could force Ukraine to cede territory and limit NATO force deployment.

Axios has published US President Donald Trump's 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine. The document provides for territorial concessions, security guarantees, and economic components.

The US has developed a draft security guarantee for Ukraine based on NATO's Article 5 model, which provides for a joint response to an attack. This plan, presented to Zelenskyy, is part of Trump's "peace plan" and may include the use of military force.

Great Britain has identified units and headquarters locations for troop deployment in Ukraine as part of a 30-country coalition. Plans include training Ukrainian troops within the country and coordinating multinational forces.

Germany is urging the European Union to reach an agreement with the United Kingdom on access to the EU defense fund by the end of the month. This would allow the UK to participate in the €150 billion fund designed to strengthen European defense.

Poland is launching a pilot defense program wReady for civilians, which will last until December 14. It is designed to increase readiness for crisis situations amid threats from Russia.

The Telegraph columnist Daniel DePetris believes that Donald Trump's "peace" plan for the war in Ukraine is unrealistic and unacceptable for Kyiv. It envisages territorial concessions from Ukraine and de facto Russian control over Donbas.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a multi-billion dollar civilian nuclear energy agreement. This happened during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington.

US President Donald Trump aims to officially make Saudi Arabia a major non-NATO ally to strengthen relations. This would give Saudi Arabia priority access to military equipment and participation in joint projects.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Fico asked NATO to strengthen Slovakia's air defense, emphasizing the country's sovereign right to choose the pace and structure of military spending.

US President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, seeking to restore his global image after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington. The meeting focused on developing security ties, cooperation in the civilian nuclear sector, and multi-billion dollar business deals.

The Russian State Duma approved an increase in VAT from 20% to 22% starting in 2026, expecting an additional trillion rubles for the budget. The changes also lower the annual income threshold for businesses required to collect VAT from 60 to 10 million rubles.

The deployment of NATO troops to the eastern flank in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion could take 45 days, while the EU aims to reduce this period to 3-5 days. The problem lies in different railway track gauge standards and bureaucracy, which complicates the movement of troops across Europe.

US President's envoy to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, calls on European allies to take a more aggressive stance on Moscow and use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. This move would provide support to Ukraine for years and signal a new, bolder phase in European politics.

NATO Assistant Secretary General Boris Ruge stated that there is no single position within the Alliance regarding the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine, even if they threaten allies. NATO is focused on protecting the airspace of member countries and supports Ukraine with air defense systems.

Montenegro's Foreign Ministry called the behavior of Russian Ambassador Alexander Lukashik "absolutely unacceptable" due to interference in the internal affairs of the state, it was reported on November 17.

Dmytro Medvedev stated that the "special military operation" will continue until the Kremlin's goals are achieved, which are in fact the destruction of Ukraine and the maximum expulsion of Ukrainians.

Finnish troops have begun artillery exercises in Lapland, near the Russian border, involving heavy artillery. Polish troops are also participating.