Zelenskyy says no to anointing the country as Trump tells Ukraine to ‘play football’ – nationally
Ukrainian President Voldymyy reaffirmed his strong refusal to resist the pressure of a concession to concede pain to Russia as he moved forward on Tuesday in his country.
“Undoubtedly, Russia insists on giving up the fields. We, obviously, do not want to give up anything.
“Do we think there are any places? Legally we don’t have such a right,” he said. “According to the law of Ukraine, our Constitution, foreign law and non-discrimination, we have no moral right.”
In a political interview released on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump pressed Zelenskyy to accept the US proposal to attack the 4-year-old, and that Zelenskyy’s government should “play football.”
Zelenskyy met in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, discussing the progress of the peace process, his office said. They emphasized our importance and European unity and solutions that “will have consequences for the security of the continent,” the statement said.
They also discussed “Developing Stronger Security to Prevent Future Aggression and Maintain Pressure on Russia to Join the Negotiation Table in Good Faith,” it said.
Earlier, Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence outside Rome. The Vatican said Leo reiterated the need to continue negotiations and “expressed his urgent desire that current political processes bring lasting peace.”
The Holy See has tried to remain neutral in the war while offering solidarity and help to what it calls the Ukrainian people. Leo met three times with Zelenskyy and spoke by phone at least with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling Muscimimi Fin, calling Moscow to promote peace.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Zelenskyy, Leo emphasized that Europe’s role was important in any currency.
“Looking for a peace agreement without including Europe in the negotiations is absurd, given the war in Europe,” he said.
“Guarantees are also needed for security today and in the future. Europe must be part of this, and unfortunately not everyone understands this, but honestly there is a great opportunity for European leaders to come together and find a solution together.”
On Monday, Zelenskyy held talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz to strengthen patience with Trump.
Ukraine is facing US pressure
The US and Ukraine Negotiations concluded three days of talks on Saturday aimed at trying to reduce differences in the Trump Administration’s peace proposal.
A major sticking point is the proposal that Kyiv must relinquish control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine to Russia, which it occupies illegally but not the entire territory. Ukraine and its European friends strongly resist the idea of giving away land.
Get news from around the country
Get the top stories of the Day, politics, economics, and current affairs, delivered to your inbox once a day.
“You know, a lot of people are dying,” Trump told other Ukrainian officials to identify as “Zelenskyy’s accusers, his top people” agreed with the US administration.
Despite Zelenskyy’s comments on Monday, the Ukrainian negotiators have said little to the public about the content of the American proposal or their attitude.
Speaking to journalists and Tuesday on Whatsapp, Zelenskyy said that the three partners were being discussed with the American and European partners – The document of the framework of the points of exchange, the document that is confirmed by Ukraine.
Zelenskyy told reporters that a revised Ukrainian version of the proposal would be presented to the US on Wednesday.
Russia, Trump said, is too powerful in Ukraine to continue fighting.
“I give a lot of credit to the people of Ukraine and the military in Ukraine, you know, you have the courage to fight against all that,” he said. “But you know, sometimes, size will prevail, usually.”
Trump also repeated his call for Ukraine to be elected president even though martial law does not allow it and Zelenskyy, was elected in his five-year term as a result of the war.
Trump’s position on Ukraine’s failure to hold an election mirrors Putin’s stance on the matter.
In response to Trump’s words, Zelenskyy asked for help from the US and possibly Europe “to ensure the security of the elections, then Ukraine will be ready to hold elections in the next 60-90 days.”
Putin, speaking on Tuesday to pro-Kremlin activists, confirmed his claim that the Donbas is Russia’s “Territory of History”, vowing to fulfill his war goals. “We will certainly take it to a logical conclusion,” he said.
European leaders reiterated their support for Kyiv
Tarmer, Macron and Merz were strongly supported by Kyiv, with the UK leader saying the peace push was in a “collected” state.
Merz, at the same time, said he was “doubtful” of some details in the documents released by the US “that we should talk about. That’s why we are here,” he said. “The coming days … could be a defining moment for all of us.”
European leaders are working to ensure that any ceasefire is backed by strong security guarantees from Europe and the US to deter Russia from attacking again. Trump has not given clear assurances to the public.
Zelenskyy and his European allies have repeatedly accused Putin of slowing down rhetoric to push ahead with attacks.
Both sides are exchanging airstrikes
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia shot down 110 drones across the country. While the air protected 84 drones combined, 24 more attacked their rocks.
Several regions of Ukraine are facing emergency blackouts due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s National Energy Operator, Ukhrenerbo.
UN Deputy Chief Chief Excer Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya Msuya On Tuesday “65% Is $278 million appropriate to fund the winter response program in Ukraine, Enforcing Service Cuts such as financial aid, health support and protection of women and girls.
This means that families are facing shivering temperatures without heat, women and girls are losing access to “safe spaces in places with no way out, he told the Security Council.
The UK Ministry of Defense said a member of the British army died on Tuesday of injuries he suffered in an accident while watching Ukrainian forces test a self-defense system away from the front lines – the first UniticeMember to die in Ukraine. It was not immediately clear what role he was serving in or where the accident occurred.
The UK military said a small number of personnel are in Ukraine to protect British diplomats and support Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine also continued its drone attacks on Russia.
Russia said it destroyed 121 drones in various regions and the Crimean peninsula, which Chuvashia is not in many years (about 560 kilometers) said nine people, Gov. Oleg Nikoleyev said.
The security service of Ukraine was carried out by a drone attack on a low-cost electricity terminal in the port of Tempryuk in the Russian Krasnodar region of Russia on December 5, according to an official of the previous operation.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said the strike sparked a fire at the facility, with more than 20 storage tanks that burned for more than three days.
Novikov reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Correspondents Bill Barrow Sellers in Atlanta, Brian Melley in London and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
