Thank you for following our live coverage on the latest news from Ukraine and its leader’s trip to London.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 

Here’s a round-up of today’s events:

• Sir Keir Starmer hosted Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz at Downing Street
• Merz said he was ‘sceptical’ about US approach to Ukraine peace
• No 10 said ‘this is the furthest we’ve got in four years’ after the talks
• Trump said he was ‘disappointed’ Zelensky had not read latest peace proposal
• The US is continuing to insist Ukraine give up the Donbas, sources said
• Trump’s son suggested that the US president may walk away from Ukraine
• Russia latest overnight drone attack hit apartments in Sumy, injuring seven
• Seven EU leaders urged the bloc to move quickly to use billions in frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine
• Russia claimed new advances in Ukraine’s east
• Germany intends to press China to sway Russia to end the war
• Ireland said the drones that flew towards Zelensky’s plane last week were part of a ‘coordinated threat’
• Ukraine’s military said it is upgrading its training and mobilisation programmes, a signal it is preparing for a longer war

5:43PM

After Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to London, No 10 has voiced optimism that a deal may be close.

“This is the furthest we’ve got in four years, and we welcome the fact that these talks are continuing at every level,” said Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman, Tom Wells. 

However, cautioning that results will not be immediate, he added: “It isn’t a straight line between conflict and peace.”

He said “intensive work” will continue in the coming days as “there are still outstanding issues.”

Emmanuel Macron’s office said the session allowed the leaders from the UK, France and Germany “to continue joint work on the US plan in order to complement it with European contributions, in close coordination with Ukraine.”

5:20PM

Volodymyr Zelensky has left Downing Street after talks with a trio of his allies: Sir Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron.

As he tries to shore up support from Europe amid pressure from the US to cede territory, the Ukrainian leader’s next stop is Brussels to meet with Nato chief  Mark Rutte and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen.

4:59PM
4:56PM

A Ukrainian fighter pilot was killed in a combat mission today.

Lt Col Ivanov Yevgeny Vitaliyovich, a senior pilot in the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was flying an Su-27 when he was killed in “the eastern direction”.

Ukraine’s air force announced the news on Telegram, writing: “We express our sincere condolences to the pilot’s family and friends.”

It did not provide any details about the circumstances of his death.

Its unclear how many Su-27 fighter jets Ukraine operates, but recent analysis suggests its “grey ghost” fleet is endangered after losing more than a dozen throughout the war. None of Ukraine’s foreign allies have Su-27s that could be donated to increase numbers.

4:39PM

The Trump administration is continuing to insist that Ukraine must withdraw from its partially-occupied eastern Donbas region region, according to sources.

The issue of land swaps remains the most contentious issue at peace negotiations, with Kyiv and its European allies pushing for the war to be frozen along the current lines.

“On the territory issue, Americans are simple: Russia demands Ukraine to give up territories, and Americans keep thinking how to make it happen,” a senior European official familiar with the negotiation process told Politico.

“The Americans insist that Ukraine must leave the Donbas… one way or another,” the official added.

Although Ukraine retains control of some 30 per cent of the Donbas region, Russia has repeatedly said it must surrender the entire territory as part of a peace deal.

This would mean Kyiv giving up its “fortress cities” of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, which form the backbone of the country’s defence in the east, making Ukraine vulnerable to future Russian attacks.

Its understood that the US has been pressuring Ukraine to give up territory in order to move the peace deal along. Donald Trump has been showing increasing frustration with Kyiv in recent days – despite the ceding of territory being one of Ukraine’s long-held red lines.

4:20PM

Three Russian soldiers have been sentenced to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing a 63-year-old US national who volunteered to fight for Russia against Ukraine.

Russell Bentley went missing in April last year near Russian-controlled Donetsk. Investigators said the soldiers beat and tortured him to death, then tried to hide the crime by blowing up his body in a car.

The case embarrassed Moscow, which has encouraged foreigners to fight on its side in Ukraine, and authorities were keen to portray the case as a tragic one-off.

Ukrainian bloggers described Bentley’s death as a warning to foreigners considering joining Russia’s war effort.

The court said Bentley – who had appeared on state TV to criticise the US government – had been tortured to death in an attempt to extract a false confession that he was a Ukrainian spy responsible for the missile strike on Donetsk.

3:49PM

Uranian security guarantees and post-war reconstruction of the country were central to the discussions in London between the UK, German and French leaders, the Elysee Palace said.

Work will be “intensified” on these issues, including providing Kyiv with “robust” protections to deter future Russian aggression, the statement added.

3:27PM

Ukraine will turn its focus to strengthening its army through higher-quality training and better mobilisation and recruitment as the Russian invasion continues on, its military chief said.

Following a recent meeting with Kyiv’s military top brass, General Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Monday: “The enemy continues its advance, so we have no choice but to strengthen our defence and reinforce our army to continue repelling Russia’s full-scale aggression.”

The new efforts come amid Ukraine’s ongoing manpower issues, as it struggles to recruit more soldiers for the front, and growing scrutiny of its military leadership decisions.

The changes are intended to improve the conditions and structure of military training and, in doing so, help Kyiv’s mobilisation drive.

3:12PM

Germany’s Friedrich Merz warned he was “sceptical” about some elements of Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine.

“I’m sceptical about some of the details which we are seeing in the documents coming from the US side,” the German Chancellor told reporters ahead of talks in Downing Street.

Sir Keir Starmer is hosting Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Mr Merz for discussions to coordinate Europe’s and Kyiv’s position ahead of further peace negotiations with the US President.

Ahead of the talks, Ukraine’s president said there was yet to be any agreement with Mr Trump over potential land swaps as part of any peace agreement.

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, has demanded that Ukraine cedes its entire eastern Donbas region in any deal.

But speaking from Downing Street, Mr Macron, France’s president, suggested Ukraine and its European allies had to be more assertive in the talks.

“I think we have a lot of cards in our hands,” he said, citing Kyiv’s ongoing resistance, Europe’s funding of the war effort and Russia’s faltering economy.

Last week, it was reported that Mr Macron had warned Mr Zelensky that he risks being betrayed over the issue of territory by Mr Trump.

2:56PM

Emmanuel Macron said talks in London with Volodymyr Zelensky were aimed at finding a “convergence” between US, European and Ukrainian allies on a possible peace deal.

“I think the main issue is the convergence between our common positions, Europeans and Ukrainians and the US to finalise these peace negotiations,” the French president said.

All parties could then move to a “new phase” in which they would aim to secure “the best possible conditions for Ukraine, for the Europeans and for collective security,” he added.

2:33PM

All four European leaders have just emerged from Number 10 for a group shot on the red carpet.

The heads of state declined to answer any questions from reporters as they shook hands with each other.

Sir Starmer and Mr Zelensky then headed back inside the prime minister’s residence for further talks, while Mr Macron and Mr Merz departed Downing Street on foot.

2:11PM

Military drones that flew towards Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane were part of a “coordinated threat” to European and Ukrainian interests, the Irish government has said.

Speaking in Brussels, Irish Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said it was clear the drones were not controlled by some “back garden enthusiast”.

Several drones breached a no fly zone to fly towards the aircraft as it arrived for visit in Ireland last week.

The incident is believed to be the latest example of Russian hybrid warfare to hit Europe and an attempt by Moscow to embarrass pro_Ukrainian Ireland by highlighting its security shortcomings.

“I think it’s fair to say that we think this is part of a co-ordinated threat to EU and Ukrainian interests,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“It certainly wasn’t a back garden drone enthusiast, I suppose our suspicion is that this was drones that were generated for the purpose of putting pressure on EU and indeed Ukrainian interests.”

1:53PM

We’re bringing you the latest lines from the leaders inside 10 Downing Street.

Sir Keir Starmer described the talks as a a “critical stage of the push for peace”, adding that “matters for Ukraine are for Ukraine”.

Thanking his allies for organising the meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, said: “Things that are very important for today are… unity between Europe, Ukraine and US.”

Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, insisted Ukraine’s allies have “a lot of cards in our hands”.

He pointed to the funding of equipment and arms for Ukraine, the Ukrainian resistance and the economic impact of sanctions imposed by the US and Europe on Russia as positive signs.

1:37PM

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz inside Downing Street.

“We stand with Ukraine,” he said. “If there is to be a ceasefire then it needs to be a just and lasting ceasefire; that is why it is so important we repeatedly set out the principle that matters about Ukraine are for Ukraine.”

He added: “We stand here to support you in the conflict and support you in the negotiations.”

Mr Zelensky said that unity between Europe, Ukraine and the US was important when negotiating an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

1:20PM

Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived arrived at 10 Downing Street for talks with European allies on a Ukraine peace deal.

Sir Keir Starmer greeted the Ukrainian president outside shortly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron were seen arriving for the discussions (see post at 10:16 am for our Berlin Correspondent’s analysis on the crunch talks).

1:05PM

Germany has pressed China to use its influence to help bring Russia’s war in Ukraine to an end.

Speaking during a visit to Beijing, Johann Wadephul, Germany’s foreign minister, said: “If there is one country in the world that has a strong influence on Russia, it is China.

“China, a major Russian trading partner, has said it takes a neutral stance on the war, refraining from condemning Moscow’s invasion.”

12:24PM

Sir Keir Starmer will discuss the mobilisation of Russian assets to boost Ukraine’s war effort with President Zelensky in Downing Street, government sources have said.

The Prime Minister is expected to give an update on Britain’s “wider support, including through the use of the value of mobilised Russian sovereign assets, which we hope to see movement on soon”.

It is understood that it is hoped there will be “some movement” on the mobilisation of Russian assets on the coming days.

12:21PM

Donald Trump claimed Volodymyr Zelensky has not read his latest peace plan to end the Ukraine war, expressing his “disappointment” with the Ukrainian leader.

The US president suggested Mr Zelensky is preventing talks from moving forward at the Kennedy Centre on Sunday night.

“I’m a little bit disappointed that president Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn’t,” Mr Trump said.

“Russia is, I believe, fine with it, but I’m not sure that Zelensky’s fine with it. His people love it. But he isn’t ready.”

It was not clear which version of the peace plan Mr Trump was referring to. The original 28-point document was seen as tilted heavily in Moscow’s favour, but a revised 20-point version has been more palatable to Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky will visit Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street today, alongside key European allies Emmanuel Macron, the French president and Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, to discuss the negotiations.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, is also expected in Washington on Monday, where she will meet Marco Rubio, her American counterpart.

12:10PM

Four Russian soldiers were jailed on Monday for the killing of an American communist who fought alongside pro-Moscow rebels.

Russell Bentley, a 64-year-old self-described communist from Dallas, Texas, joined pro-Russia separatists in 2014 to fight against Ukrainian forces.

He went missing in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, where he lived, and was later found dead.

The court found the soldiers guilty of beating Mr Bentley, known as “Texas”, to death in April 2024 after they mistook him for a US saboteur. They then put his body in the back of a car and blew it up.

Mr Bentley’s disappearance sparked outrage across the city, where he had become a local celebrity from posting frequent social media clips backing Moscow’s Ukraine campaign.

Two of the soldiers – Major Vitaly Vansyatsky and Lieutenant Andrei Iordanov – were sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony and stripped of their military titles.

Sergeant Vladislav Agaltsev was handed 11 years while another soldier was given 1.5 years for “concealing crimes”.

11:29AM

The issue of territory is still the “most problematic” in discussions on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, an official familiar with the negotiations has said.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told AFP on Monday: “Putin does not want to enter into an agreement without territory. So they are looking for any options to ensure that Ukraine cedes territory.”

The source added that the US was looking for a quick settlement.

“The Americans are pressuring, like ‘faster, faster, faster’”, said the source, saying that Ukraine “cannot agree to everything without working out the details”.

The comments come ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with European allies in London on Monday to discuss the negotiations.

10:54AM
10:16AM

Crunch Ukraine talks in Downing Street will be all about ensuring that Kyiv’s voice is heard by Donald Trump.

Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz will be wary about the US President’s complaints that his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, is not up to date with his efforts to end the war.

The truth is Mr Trump is instead looking for a scapegoat to blame his difficulties in negotiating a peace deal.

Last week, it emerged Mr Macron, France’s president, had warned Mr Zelensky that the Americans could “betray” him by making territorial concessions without providing security guarantees.

Briefing the media late on Sunday, an Elysee Palace official was a little more subtle.

“It is important the Americans hear from the Ukrainians what is possible and what is not possible,” the official said.

Mr Trump might not listen to Mr Zelensky, so the European leaders will attempt to push Kyiv’s red lines instead.

9:55AM

Russia has seized two more villages in eastern Ukraine as experts say it is sweeping the region at one of the fastest rates since the war began.

The army took control of Chervone, in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, and Novodanilivka, in the neighbouring Zaporizhzhia region, the Kremlin’s defence ministry said on Monday, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

Russian forces grabbed 200 square miles of territory in November, up from 100 square miles the previous month, according to DeepState, a trusted Ukraine-based battlefield map.

The speed of advance was approaching the fastest since the initial invasion almost four years ago, the Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, said.

9:36AM

Donald Trump may abandon Ukraine if it doesn’t make peace with Russia, his eldest son has suggested.

Donald Trump Jr, speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar on Sunday, argued that corruption in Ukraine’s official ranks was fuelling the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

The comments come as a number of Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aides have been embroiled in a corruption scandal.

After growing political pressure, Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff and closest ally, resigned last month following a home-raid by anti-corruption investigators in connection with a £76m embezzlement scandal in the energy sector. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Zelensky has not been accused of corruption.

Mr Trump Jr said: “Because of the war, and because he’s one of the great marketers of all times, Zelensky became a borderline deity, especially to the left, where he could do no wrong, he was beyond reproach.”

When asked if Donald Trump could walk away from Ukraine, his eldest son said: “I think he may.”

“What’s good about my father, and what’s unique about my father, is you don’t know what he’s going to do,” he added. “The fact that he’s not predictable … forces everyone to actually deal in an intellectually honest capacity.”

9:13AM

A US national security strategy blaming European officials for standing in the way of a peace deal has fuelled European concerns about Donald Trump’s stance.

The strategy said it was a “core interest” of the US to bring an “expeditious” end to the fighting and “re-establish strategic stability with Russia”.

The Kremlin welcomed the 33-page US document, which suggests Europe is facing “civilisational erasure” and does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.

“The adjustments we’re seeing… are largely consistent with our vision…we consider this a positive step,” said Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, in an interview with local media on Sunday.

The document blames the EU for blocking US efforts to end the conflict and says that the US must “re-establish strategic stability to Russia” which would “stabilise European economies”.

8:49AM

Sir Keir Starmer is set to host Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s leader, Emmanuel Macron, France’s president and Friedrich Merz, Germany’s Chancellor, at Downing Street on Monday.

The European powers are seeking to rally support for Kyiv at a time of growing US pressure to agree a peace deal with Russia.

Donald Trump on Sunday suggested Mr Zelensky was delaying a deal and hadn’t even “read” the latest proposal, amid concerns the US could try to strong-arm Kyiv into accepting a settlement that has had significant Russian input.

The purpose of the meeting in London was to “maintain Ukraine’s solidity at a difficult moment”, an Elysee Palace official said.

The talks would aim to “consolidate” a European-Ukrainian position on peace terms that “would allow us to converge on a solid basis with the Americans”, said the official, adding that “it is important the Americans hear from the Ukrainians what is possible and what is not possible”.

Mr Merz is expected to update his counterparts on Belgium’s opposition to EU plans to use frozen Russian assets to provide financing to Ukraine, after meeting with Bart De Wever, Belgium’s prime minister.

8:00AM

Leaders from seven European Union member states on Monday urged the bloc to move ahead quickly with the proposal to use billions in Russia’s frozen assets to provide financing to Ukraine.

In a letter sent to Antonio Costa, EU Council President, and Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission’s President, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden said: “Supporting Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence is not only a moral obligation – it is also in our own self-interest.

“We must therefore move ahead quickly on the Commission’s proposals to use the cash balances from Russia’s immobilised assets for a reparations loan to Ukraine.”

The European Commission has agreed plans for a €210bn (£187.7bn) finance package to buy weapons for Ukraine, but its success hinges on Belgium dropping its long-running opposition to the use of Russian assets frozen across the bloc to raise the cash for Kyiv.

The bulk of the money – €165 billion – will come from a so-called reparations loan, which Ukraine will only have to pay back if Russia agrees to pay compensation for its invasion. If Moscow refuses to pay reparations to Ukraine, the EU will be able to use the frozen assets, of which €140 billion are in Belgium, to repay the debt.

Brussels has argued that it needs legal guarantees that it will not be left on the hook for the funds should Russia mount an international law case for the return of the frozen assets.

7:46AM

Volodymyr Zelensky will be briefed about his team’s discussions with US officials and receive all documents related to the peace plan on Monday, Kyiv’s senior negotiator has said.

Rustem Umerov said that the priority for Kyiv’s negotiating team during recent talks was to be fully informed on US conversations in Moscow and all drafts of current proposals.

“Together with all partners, we must do everything possible for a dignified end to this war,” Mr Umerov said.

7:26AM

Ukraine deserves a dignified peace, and whether there will be peace depends entirely on Russia – on our collective pressure on Russia and on the sound negotiating positions of the United States, Europe, and all our other partners. Russia must be held accountable for what it is… pic.twitter.com/C9pyHxUQw5

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 7, 2025

7:18AM

At least seven people were injured when Russian drones struck an apartment block in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, the governor said on Monday.

The Sumy region, which borders Russia, has faced near-daily shelling and drone attacks throughout Moscow’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Oleh Hryhorov, governor of the region, said that those injured in the attack on Okhtyrka city had been taken to hospital, where two of them were admitted. The others received treatment and were discharged, he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

The multi-storey building sustained extensive damage, Mr Hryhorov said, adding that some residents managed to reach the basement after air-raid warnings while emergency crews rescued others from upper floors.

7:08AM

We’re bringing you the latest updates from the Ukraine war.