War in Ukraine
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that the European Union must develop its own peace plan for Ukraine, without relying on US initiatives. This is due to the fact that Europe was "caught off guard" by a 28-point peace plan developed by American Trump negotiators together with the Russians without the participation of the EU.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated that the prosecutor's office does not work under pressure, commenting on the criminal proceedings against the NABU detective and his father. He emphasized that the change of pre-trial detention is not an acquittal, and the investigation continues.
A Belarusian factory that produces tableware has been supplying drones to Russia for several years, bypassing European sanctions.
President Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with President of the European Council António Costa, discussing the negotiation track and the planned meetings of the Ukrainian team with the American side. Ukraine expects meaningful work to achieve a lasting peace.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned representatives of the diplomatic missions of Russia and Ukraine due to attacks on ships in the Black Sea. The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Fuat Oktay, stated that the spread of the war to civilian shipping is a cause for concern.
A Vatican research commission has decided not to ordain women as deacons, disappointing Catholic women. Instead, it has been proposed to create new lay ministries for women outside of the ordained diaconate.
On December 5, hourly power outages will be in effect throughout Ukraine for household and industrial consumers. The restrictions will last from 00:00 to 23:59 due to the consequences of Russian attacks.
Operators of the 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment of Ukraine destroyed a group of Russian servicemen in Donetsk region who tortured a local resident. Among the liquidated was an African with the call sign "Malik".
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a symbolic amulet Christmas tree was installed, the base of which is pixel fabric, symbolizing the resilience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its decoration combines Ukrainian patterns and colorful embroidery, as well as white and blue beads as an amulet.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that Russia and 11 other countries opposed the return of Ukrainian children, despite the adoption of a UN resolution. Only 1,850 children have been returned home after forced deportation.
The Ministry of Defense has allocated an additional UAH 2. 1 billion for the procurement of drones and equipment for the Armed Forces brigades through the DOT-Chain Defense marketplace. In total, almost UAH 6.3 billion has been allocated for these procurements, ensuring fast deliveries without bureaucracy.
Thanks to the efforts of Donald Trump's wife, Melania, seven children, previously illegally transported to Russia, were able to return to Ukraine.
Russian "war correspondents" are spreading narratives about "preparing an offensive on Chernihiv," but the aggressor has no real forces for this. This is part of Russia's pressure tactics on Ukraine and an attempt to prolong US efforts.
Since the beginning of the day, 131 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions, where the Defense Forces repelled numerous attacks.
Lawmakers from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party have submitted a bill that makes it harder to remove the president from office. The amendment comes four months before elections in which the opposition seeks to reverse Orban's consolidation of power.
Oil prices rose: Brent to $63. 02, WTI to $59.36. Attacks on Russian oil pipelines and lack of progress in peace talks contribute to rising prices.
As of November 25, 1,630 cultural heritage sites and 2,437 cultural infrastructure objects have been destroyed and damaged in Ukraine. This happened as a result of Russian aggression, with the Kharkiv, Kherson, and Odesa regions being the most affected.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine established a Temporary Investigative Commission to investigate the crimes of the Russian Federation against journalists and media workers. 272 people's deputies voted for the decision, Yevheniya Kravchuk reported.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz canceled a trip to Oslo to persuade Belgium to support a €165 billion "reparation loan" to Ukraine. The loan is proposed to be secured by frozen Russian state assets located in Belgium.
The OSCE is ready to deploy a new observer mission to Ukraine to monitor a future ceasefire. This mission would require the approval of all 57 member states, including Russia and Ukraine.
On December 4, Russian occupiers shelled the Kherson perinatal center. Doctors were delivering babies during the strike, but no one was injured.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stated his country's readiness to provide maximum assistance to Ukraine on its path to EU membership. Cyprus will support Ukraine during its presidency of the EU Council, which begins in 27 days.
On December 4, 2025, the HUR special unit "Ghosts" destroyed a Russian MiG-29 fighter jet at the "Kacha" airfield and the "Irtysh" radar near Simferopol. The operation weakens the air defense system of the occupiers in temporarily occupied Crimea.
European diving champion Sofiia Lyskun was expelled from the national team and stripped of all titles and awards. This happened after she announced her move to Russia and obtaining citizenship there.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that Cyprus' presidency of the EU Council in 2026 could be historic for Ukraine regarding the opening of negotiation clusters. He also thanked Cyprus for its support and emphasized the need for a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Germany is allocating an additional 100 million euros through the KfW Development Bank to restore Ukraine's damaged energy infrastructure. These funds will be directed to the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine, increasing Germany's total contribution to 550 million euros by the end of 2025.
Donald Tusk appealed to the parliament with a demand to hold part of Friday's Sejm session in a closed regime. This decision is necessary for the exchange of urgent information concerning state security.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever blocked an EU plan to provide Ukraine with a 140 billion euro loan. He fears legal and financial retaliation from Russia.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov flew to the United States. They will hold talks with the American delegation on the peace plan, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.
India will pay about $2 billion to lease a nuclear submarine from Russia, concluding a decade of negotiations. The deal provides for the delivery of the vessel within two years, although the contract was signed in March 2019.