War in Ukraine
An 81-year-old grandmother, a 57-year-old mother, and a 37-year-old daughter with three children have been evacuated from the Zaporizhzhia frontline zone. The youngest family member is only one year old; their home was shaking from explosions.
The provision that prohibited Kyiv from joining NATO was removed from the current peace plan, although the new version does not address this issue at all. At the same time, European officials predict that it may take a long time for the US, Russia, and Ukraine to resolve their differences.
The Russian State Duma has finally adopted a law that allows housing in the temporarily occupied territories to be recognized as "ownerless" and confiscated. This opens the way for mass appropriation of real estate and replacement of the local population with loyal citizens of the Russian Federation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that it is easier to liquidate the Office of the President than to appoint its head, referring to the large number of proposals and exchanges of views. He noted that the war is much more important than this issue.
President Zelenskyy announced that the US has expressed a desire to provide Ukraine with realistic security guarantees, voted on by Congress, as well as to supply weapons. These guarantees include sanctions, air defense, and provisions similar to Article 5.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi met with Ukrainian media to discuss the real situation at the front and refute Russian disinformation. He emphasized the importance of responsible information dissemination and explained why not all successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can be immediately disclosed.
President Zelenskyy announced that the US will not close the PURL program, and it will continue its work. Ukraine also received 700 million euros from the Netherlands and has plans for financing next year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that at a meeting with Putin, he stated Ukraine's desire to return Crimea, but noted that the state currently does not have the strength to do so. He also mentioned the lack of sufficient support for Ukraine's accession to NATO.
Over the past day, December 9, 164 combat engagements took place at the front. The most tense situation remains in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the country's readiness to hold elections, emphasizing the need to resolve security issues and the legislative framework. He also called on the United States and European partners to help ensure security for holding elections.
Valeriy Lytvyn, violinist of the Veriovka Choir and sound engineer of the Berehynia Theater, died in the war against the Russian occupiers. He voluntarily joined the military service at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The US is not ready to accept Ukraine into NATO, but this is a matter for the future. Ukraine is considering effective security guarantees analogous to NATO, including bilateral guarantees with the US.
The Russian dictator stated that people in Donbas warmly welcome Russian servicemen. Putin also once again stated that Russia plans to achieve all the tasks set for the "SVO."
President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine's readiness for an energy truce with Russia if the latter is ready for it. He noted that this is very important for people, as Russians are attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine uses Neptune missiles, the Palyanytsia drone missile, the Flamingo cruise missile, and the Sapsan operational-tactical missile system for strikes on Russia. He noted that the Neptunes are working well but did not disclose the quantity so that the enemy would not know all the details.
In Lviv Oblast, a man attacked a TCC serviceman with a kitchen axe-hammer during a document check. The injured person was hospitalized, his life is not in danger, law enforcement officers are conducting investigative actions.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has not yet handed over an updated "peace plan" to the US, but this will likely happen tomorrow. He noted that the US is not demanding the surrender of Donbas territory, and Russia is the initiator of this idea.
Hungary's opposition is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and early elections after the release of a video showing physical abuse at a state-run juvenile detention center in Budapest. This incident occurred amid accusations of sexual abuse and the organization of a prostitution ring by the facility's former director.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced three documents regarding the end of the war with Russia, which concern security guarantees, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and framework agreements. These documents are being discussed with American and European partners.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the Reconstruction Investment Fund, expanding Ukraine's ability to purchase US LNG, and financial support. Alvarez & Marsal has been appointed as the Fund's investment advisor.
The Ukrainian government has made a number of decisions to improve the situation with electricity supply for people. Among them are the revision of lists of critical infrastructure facilities and permission for state-owned companies to import electricity.
The President of Ukraine held a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The parties discussed further diplomatic work and concrete steps needed to end the war.
A British Armed Forces serviceman died on December 9 in Ukraine as a result of an accident. He sustained injuries while observing the testing of a new defense system by the Ukrainian military.
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, stated that Ukraine will not trade its sovereignty and territories. He emphasized that Moscow will get "a hole from a bagel," not Ukraine's capitulation.
The U. S. Department of Defense has selected Alphabet Inc.'s Gemini for Government system to provide artificial intelligence capabilities for its civilian and military personnel. This platform, known as GenAI.mil, will help the military quickly analyze video and images.
The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN stated that Russia will achieve its goals, choosing either a diplomatic or military path. He noted that the Russian Federation prefers diplomacy, but sees no prerequisites for it.
Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Ukrainian homes, schools, and kindergartens suffer exclusively due to the placement of Ukrainian air defense systems in residential areas. He made this statement during a UN meeting.
Ukraine has reached an agreement with a group of investors to exchange GDP warrants for a new class of bonds. This paves the way for the exchange of warrants worth up to $3.2 billion for Class C bonds.
The President of Finland stated that peace for Ukraine is now "quite close," closer than at any time since the start of the full-scale invasion. Negotiations are progressing simultaneously on three key documents, including a framework plan, security guarantees, and the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. They discussed defense support for Ukraine, strengthening air defense, and enhancing energy resilience, as well as further financial support.