Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to sever Ukraine’s access to the sea following Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian tankers in the Black Sea. In a televised address, Putin said the best solution would be to isolate Ukraine from the sea to stop what he called 'Ukrainian piracy.' He also warned of intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports, ships, and infrastructure, and possible actions against tankers belonging to countries aiding Ukraine. The warning came after Ukrainian naval drones reportedly hit two Russian tankers heading to load oil for export. Ukraine also launched missile and drone strikes on Russia’s Novorossiysk port, disrupting oil supplies. While Putin did not elaborate on how he would enforce a maritime blockade, analysts see the threat as an escalation in the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022. Despite Russia’s occupation of parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, Kyiv still controls key ports like Odesa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he seeks a complete end to the war with Russia, not a temporary pause, and warned against any 'secret games' in peace negotiations. Speaking at a joint press conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Dublin, Zelensky emphasized that the current moment offers the best opportunity yet to end the conflict. His comments come as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visit Russia for talks on ending the war, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet met them. Putin, meanwhile, rejected European peace proposals as unacceptable and accused European leaders of obstructing U.S.-led peace efforts, warning that Russia is ready if Europe wants war. Zelensky said he awaits direct messages from the U.S. following Putin’s meeting and remains open to talks with Donald Trump, depending on Moscow’s discussions. He noted that territorial issues and frozen Russian assets remain key challenges.

Russia has claimed control over the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a major transport hub, following prolonged and intense fighting. Moscow announced the capture on December 1, but Kyiv rejected the claim, alleging that Russia is spreading such information to influence ongoing ceasefire discussions. The claim came just hours after senior US and Ukrainian officials met in Florida to discuss possible pathways to end the war. Ukrainian forces maintain that they still hold Pokrovsk and surrounding areas despite heavy Russian assaults. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly visited the front lines on Sunday, where military chief Valery Gerasimov briefed him on the situation. Footage released by the Kremlin showed Russian troops raising their flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, later verified by CNN. The city’s road and rail links make it strategically vital for Ukraine’s logistics, though continued Russian drone strikes have damaged key supply routes.

Ukraine’s navy launched drone attacks on two oil tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian officials. Verified BBC footage showed high-speed drones striking the vessels, causing large explosions and fires. The attacks targeted the Gambian-flagged tankers MT Kairos and Virat near Turkey’s coast on November 28, with a second strike on Virat the following day. No casualties have been reported so far. Turkey’s coast guard rescued 25 crew members from MT Kairos, including four Bangladeshi sailors, all of whom are safe. Ukrainian security sources said the operation used ‘Sea Baby’ naval drones developed by the SBU, part of Kyiv’s strategy to weaken Russia’s oil-dependent war financing. Since the 2022 invasion, Moscow has built a ‘shadow fleet’ of older, obscurely owned ships to evade Western sanctions. Both tankers were reportedly under international sanctions, according to the London Stock Exchange.

Russia’s Battle Group South has claimed that its forces killed more than 230 Ukrainian soldiers in the past 24 hours, according to spokesperson Vadim Astafyev, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. The Russian units reportedly destroyed five armored vehicles, 19 automobiles, four field artillery guns, an electronic warfare station, and several ammunition and fuel depots. Drone units also targeted Ukrainian UAV control centers, Starlink terminals, and communication antennas in multiple directions, including Seversk, Kramatorsk, and Konstantinovka. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia always prefers peace but remains prepared for any potential conflict, emphasizing the need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. His comments followed remarks by Russia’s ambassador to Belgium, who warned that NATO and the European Union appear to be preparing for a major confrontation with Moscow. The Kremlin continues to accuse Western alliances of escalating military tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, following a search of Yermak’s home by anticorruption investigators. The move comes as Kyiv faces a widening corruption scandal involving a $100 million kickback scheme at the state nuclear company Energoatom, which has already led to multiple resignations. Yermak, one of Zelenskyy’s closest allies and a key negotiator in talks over a U.S.-backed plan to end Ukraine’s war with Russia, said he was fully cooperating with authorities. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the searches were authorized but did not specify the investigation’s target. The resignation adds to political turbulence as Zelenskyy faces pressure from both Washington and domestic opposition parties. In a video address, Zelenskyy called for unity and vowed continued reform efforts, asserting that Ukraine would not make mistakes under Russian pressure. Analysts say Yermak’s departure marks a significant blow to Zelenskyy’s administration during a critical phase of war and diplomacy.

Ukraine will not surrender any of its territory to Russia in exchange for peace, according to Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky. In an interview with The Atlantic, Yermak stated that as long as Zelensky remains president, he will never sign any agreement transferring Ukrainian land to Russia. His remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow would not halt its offensive unless Ukrainian forces withdrew from regions claimed by the Kremlin. Russia currently controls about one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donbas, which remain central obstacles to peace negotiations. Discussions continue around a U.S.-backed peace plan, but Kyiv insists that all occupied territories must be returned. Zelensky has accused Moscow of disregarding genuine efforts to end the war, while Putin continues to push for international recognition of Russia’s annexed regions.

Ukraine has indicated its willingness to accept a 28-point peace proposal reportedly initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the ongoing war with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to the United States this week to meet Trump and finalize the framework of the agreement. Ukraine’s National Security Chief Rustem Umerov said both sides have reached a common understanding on the main terms during earlier discussions in Geneva. Meanwhile, Russia confirmed it has received the draft plan and is open to negotiations. The United States also confirmed upcoming talks with Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi. Despite ongoing airstrikes that killed several people in both Ukraine and Russia, Kyiv remains optimistic about a diplomatic breakthrough. European leaders, however, have criticized the initial draft as being overly favorable to Moscow, while Ukraine has welcomed recent revisions that strengthen its defense and NATO prospects.

The United States has reduced its proposed Ukraine peace plan from 28 to 19 points following discussions in Geneva involving Ukrainian and European representatives. According to reports from TRT World and US media, the revised plan aims to end the ongoing war in Ukraine but remains unfinalized. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the talks as highly constructive, noting significant progress though some issues remain unresolved. Participants told the Financial Times that nine proposals were removed from the earlier draft, without specifying which ones. European officials had previously raised concerns over sanctions on Russia and the management of seized Russian assets, emphasizing these matters fall under EU jurisdiction. Finnish President Alexander Stubb called the reduction in points a step forward. The draft plan reportedly includes potential territorial concessions by Ukraine, limits on its military size, and a formal renunciation of NATO membership ambitions.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are meeting in Geneva to finalize the framework of President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed cautious optimism on social media, suggesting that 'something good may be happening.' However, Moscow remains skeptical, fearing that the revised plan may not favor Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has not received any official information about the Geneva talks and has no scheduled meetings with U.S. officials this week, though Moscow remains open to dialogue. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin had described Trump’s 28-point draft plan as potentially acceptable to Russia, but the Kremlin is now concerned that changes made during the Geneva discussions could undermine its interests. Russian media outlets have echoed these concerns, warning that Western and Ukrainian negotiators might reshape the plan into something unacceptable for Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the US-backed peace plan for Ukraine, calling the proposal to cede occupied territories to Russia its 'main problem.' Following discussions on the peace framework, Zelensky argued that legitimizing Russia’s control over lands seized by force would set a dangerous global precedent. The draft plan reportedly suggests freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, effectively granting Moscow control over large areas. It also proposes that Kyiv hand over parts of the Donbas region still under Ukrainian control, a condition Zelensky described as deeply concerning. He warned that relinquishing Donbas could expose Ukraine to future Russian aggression. Earlier, both the United States and Ukraine described the 28-point peace plan talks in Geneva as 'highly productive,' though Kyiv’s leadership remains wary of any compromise that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed four people and injured 17 others, local officials confirmed on Sunday. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the situation as dire, noting that despite ongoing peace discussions in Geneva involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European representatives, Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure and residential areas. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that among the injured were two children aged 11 and 12, and fires broke out in three residential buildings and one infrastructure site. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said significant progress was made in the Geneva talks. U.S. President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to approve his proposed 28-point peace plan, which reportedly requires Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military, and pledge not to join NATO. Ukraine, however, has requested revisions to the draft proposal.

The United States and Ukraine have agreed to continue discussions on a revised peace framework aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. Following a meeting in Geneva on November 23, both nations issued a joint statement confirming that earlier concerns in the draft proposal had been addressed, though details remain undisclosed. The White House said the new framework aligns with Ukraine’s national interests, but Kyiv has yet to issue its own statement. Despite uncertainty over how Ukraine’s security will be ensured against continued Russian threats, both sides pledged to intensify negotiations before Thursday’s deadline. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the delegation and has returned to Washington. President Donald Trump has pressured Ukraine to reach a deal quickly, criticizing Kyiv’s lack of gratitude for US support. Meanwhile, European nations have presented a counterproposal offering NATO-style security assurances with fewer territorial concessions. The talks occur as Russia advances in some regions and Ukraine faces domestic corruption scandals and infrastructure attacks.

The United States announced significant progress in discussions over its proposed peace plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Talks held in Geneva between US, Ukrainian, and European officials reportedly narrowed differences on several complex issues within President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the parties have advanced considerably and expressed optimism about moving forward soon, though he withheld specific details. Some matters, including NATO’s role and Ukraine’s security guarantees, remain unresolved. Ukrainian delegation head Andriy Yermak echoed the sentiment, calling the talks a step toward a fair and lasting peace. The development follows tensions after Trump criticized Ukraine for not showing gratitude toward US efforts, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to publicly thank both the United States and Trump for their support, which he said was saving Ukrainian lives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is facing a major diplomatic dilemma after former US President Donald Trump proposed a 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war. The plan reportedly demands that Ukraine cede the entire Donbas region to Russia, reduce its military size, abandon NATO membership ambitions, and grant Russian language official status. In return, Ukraine would receive Western security guarantees. Zelensky warned in a national address that Ukraine must now choose between accepting Washington’s '28 tough conditions' or risking a breakdown in relations with its key ally, the United States. Reuters reported that Trump’s administration has threatened to cut off intelligence and military support if Kyiv rejects the proposal. Zelensky confirmed receiving a new peace offer from Washington but withheld details, saying consultations with US and European partners are ongoing. He emphasized that Ukraine will propose alternatives that protect national interests without appearing unwilling to pursue peace.