The Russian leadership positively received statements by the leaders of France, Italy, and Germany on resuming dialogue with Moscow. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it a "positive evolution" of the Europeans' positions.
Great Britain is providing £20 million to restore Ukraine's energy infrastructure. This funding is aimed at repairing and protecting energy facilities damaged by Russian attacks.
The NBA and FIBA are developing a new European basketball championship, which could start in October 2027. The league will have 16 teams, 12 of which will be permanent franchises, and 4 spots will be for qualification.
Prince Harry will appear in London's High Court next week. He and six others accuse Associated Newspapers Limited of unlawful acts.
The State Enterprise "Document" has simplified the procedure for simultaneous application for an ID card and a foreign passport. This is available for oneself, as well as for children under 14 years of age.
The UK Ministry of Defence is developing the Nightfall ballistic missile with a range of over 480 km for Ukraine. This will allow striking targets in Moscow.
The head of British intelligence warned that Russians are preparing new hybrid attacks in Europe and that the "front line" is now everywhere, not just in war.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that the deployment of troops and military facilities of partners in Ukraine would be considered as foreign intervention. Russia views this as a direct threat to security and will consider such facilities legitimate military targets.
A passport service for Ukrainian citizens has been operating in London since December 30, which processed 135 ID cards and 303 foreign passports in the first week of 2026. Services are provided by appointment, including the issuance and exchange of passports.
Tyson Fury officially announced the resumption of his professional career in 2026 after a year-long break caused by defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. This is not the first return for the 37-year-old boxer, who has 34 wins, two losses, and one draw.
Bloomberg presented a review of the 11 most anticipated hotel properties scheduled to open in 2026. The list includes private island resorts and renovated historic palaces in major metropolises.
Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist of The Cure, has died at the age of 66. He was a member of the band since 1990, played over 400 concerts, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, arrived in Dhaka after almost 17 years in London. His return is seen as a key stage in the party's preparations for the general election in February.
On December 25, a Christmas procession with stars took place in Kyiv, starting at Mykhailivska Square. The event, organized by the Ivan Honchar Museum, invited families, folklore groups, choral ensembles, and veterans to participate.
Political expert Petro Oleschuk claims that Petro Poroshenko has joined Ihor Kolomoisky to destabilize the situation in the country. This is done with the calculation of avoiding criminal responsibility for state treason.
The Russian FSB killed an alleged saboteur who collaborated with Ukraine and planned terrorist attacks on Russian territory.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has been released on bail after being arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in London. She was detained for holding a sign in support of Palestine Action, which the British government considers a terrorist organization.
In Kyiv, the third "Bez Khvyl" (No Waves) relaxation shelter has started operating, combining safety and mental health support. The project was implemented thanks to a business idea competition from the "MHP-Hromadi" Charitable Foundation.
As of early December 2025, official delegations led by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy have made over 50 foreign visits. The accounting of expenses for their organization is not kept separately, and information about the preparation of visits is restricted.
Uber, in partnership with Chinese giant Baidu, will launch robotaxis in the UK, starting a pilot project with Apollo Go RT6 autonomous vehicles in the first half of 2026. The company plans to make the service available to Londoners by the end of next year and will offer it in more than 10 markets.
On December 22, the spot price of gold reached an all-time high of $4383. 73 per ounce. This increase is driven by the easing of US monetary policy and growing global geopolitical instability.
The UK Foreign Office suffered a cyberattack in October, in which British officials suspect the involvement of Chinese state entities. Although there is no official confirmation, the incident occurred amid strained relations between the countries.
Keir Starmer has initiated an urgent assessment of external influence on British politics amid preparations for legislative changes. This decision came in response to the conviction of Nathan Gill, who received funds for pro-Russian statements.
Ukraine has presented an updated peace plan that excludes the abandonment of Donbas and retains the right to join NATO. This proposal is a response to Donald Trump's 28-point plan, which caused shock in Europe.
An exclusive magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961 champagne from the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer was not sold at auction in Denmark. The bids were not high enough, failing to reach the expected 600,000 Danish kroner (approximately 81,000 euros).
Writer Sophie Kinsella has died at 55 after battling aggressive brain cancer. She gained global fame with her bestselling "Shopaholic" series, selling over 50 million books.
The coalition of the willing to support Ukraine will hold a remote meeting on December 11. This will take place after Zelenskyy's negotiations with E3 leaders on a peace plan.
President Zelenskyy announced his readiness to present to the USA Ukrainian and European components of possible steps to end the war. This will happen after discussing the results of the work in London with the Ukrainian negotiating team.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome after visits to London and Brussels. He will meet with Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
President Zelenskyy reported 24/7 communication with partners, which confirms Europe's maximum involvement in resolving the Ukrainian issue. He discussed support for Ukraine, strengthening air defense, and energy assistance with representatives of many countries and international organizations.
