Kremlin says Putin open to Ukraine war talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with participants of the II Congress of Young Scientists in Sochi on December 1, 2022.
Vladimir Astapkovich | AFP | Getty Images
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin would be open to talks on a possible settlement of the war in Ukraine.
His comments to reporters came shortly after US President Joe Biden said he would be ready to meet Putin if the Russian leader was willing to end the war.
—Sam Meredith
Finland’s PM warns Russia won’t be the only ones to ‘feel strengthened’ by Ukraine victory
Speaking during a visit to Australia, Finn Marin said China had an important role to play in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Said Khan | AFP | Getty Images
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin has warned that Russia will not be alone in “feeling strengthened” if the Kremlin wins its war in Ukraine.
Speaking during a visit to Australia, Marin said China had an important role to play in ending the war, urged Europe to do more to build up its defensive capabilities and said the region will not would not be strong enough to face it without the support of the main allies.
“We have to make sure we are stronger. And now I have to be very honest, brutally honest with you, Europe is not strong enough right now,” Marin said.
“We would be in trouble without the United States…in the war in Ukraine. The United States has given a lot of weapons, a lot of financial aid, a lot of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Europe is not yet strong enough. ,” she added.
—Sam Meredith
According to the Ukrainian presidential aide, up to 13,000 servicemen were killed during the war
Ukrainian forces have lost between 10,000 and 13,000 soldiers so far in the war against Russia, according to a Reuters report, which cites comments by Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak.
It is believed to be the first estimated death toll of Ukraine’s military by a senior official since Ukraine’s military chief said nearly 9,000 troops had died in late August.
—Sam Meredith
Member states to vote on EU proposal to set up tribunal to investigate Russian war crimes, UN says
Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary General attends a press briefing at United Nations Headquarters.
Lev Radin | Pacific Press | Light flare | Getty Images
The UN has said it will let member states decide whether or not to set up a tribunal to investigate possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Earlier today, the European Union offered to establish a UN-backed tribunal to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine. The EU has also offered to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.
“The decision to establish a tribunal, with or without the participation of the United Nations, is a decision that will be up to the [U.N.] Member States,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a daily press briefing.
“The Secretary-General is certainly aware that there have been discussions in various forums regarding the possibility of establishing an international tribunal with regard to what is happening in Ukraine and in particular on the issue of the crime of aggression,” said he declared. said, adding that any further comments on the matter would be speculation only.
—Amanda Macias
A Ukrainian defense official speaks next to a failed warhead
Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar speaks while standing next to a failed warhead mimicking a nuclear part of a Kh-55SM strategic cruise missile, which was used by Russian troops in a recent attack missiles against Ukraine.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar speaks next to a failed warhead mimicking a nuclear part of a Kh-55SM strategic cruise missile, which was used by Russian troops in a recent missile attack on Ukraine, during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine December 01, 2022.
STR | Nurphoto | Getty Images
The Kh-55SM strategic cruise missile can carry nuclear warheads, speakers said during the briefing.
A failed warhead mimicking a nuclear part of a Kh-55SM strategic cruise missile, which was used by Russian troops in a recent missile attack on Ukraine, is seen during a press conference in Kyiv , Ukraine, on December 1, 2022.
STR | Nurphoto | Getty Images
— STR | NurPhoto | Getty Images
Biden and Macron promise to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia
During a joint press conference at the White House, US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russia.
“The fact that the United States strongly supports the Ukrainians at this time is very important, not only for the Ukrainians, but also for the Europeans, who we are. That is why we thank you for the solidarity, for the stability of our world today,” Macron said. said. “Because if we consider that we can abandon the country and abandon full respect for its principles, it means that there is no possible stability in this world.”
Macron is traveling to the United States as a visitor to Biden’s first state dinner as president.
Biden has said he has no plans to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin anytime soon, but would be willing to do so if Putin was genuinely interested in ending the war.
“I am ready to speak with Mr. Putin if in fact there is any interest in him deciding that he is looking for a way to end the war. He has not done so yet,” Biden said .
“In the meantime, I think it’s absolutely essential, what Emmanuel said: we have to support the people of Ukraine,” Biden said. “The idea that Putin will ever defeat Ukraine is beyond belief.”
– Emma Kinery
