Ukraine said its long-range drones had struck a major offshore oil platform in the Caspian Sea, as it seeks to cut off the Russian energy revenues funding its war.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 as a war-divided island and could offer Ukraine a blueprint for accession. The island will take over the EU’s rotating presidency from Denmark on Jan. 1 and has promised to continue work on Ukraine’s bid.

Poland detained a Russian archaeologist who works on an ancient site in Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine calls the work illegal.

Ukraine says it needs $1 billion for vital gas imports and new equipment.

Russia is pushing to take over all of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, where one resident tells NPR that she feels her "life depends on how our guys at the front hold on."

The Ukrainian leader rejected the demand, making clear that territorial issues remain unresolved as Ukraine and Europe sent a counterproposal to the United States.

Following President Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine is “losing” the war against Russia’s ongoing invasion and that Russia now has the “upper hand”, multiple officials told CNN there are no new US or European assessments suggesting there have been significant changes on the battlefield and they don’t see any indications Moscow is likely to win the conflict quickly.

Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Lance Corporal George Hooley, who the Ministry of Defence say died in a "tragic accident" away from the front lines.