War in Ukraine: Zelensky in favor of a ceasefire, crisis in Syria, less American aid… the latest on the situation

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Sunday, December 8, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.

Syria: kyiv claims that “dictators who bet on Putin” are doomed to fall

Ukraine welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria on Sunday, saying that dictatorships that bet on Russian President Vladimir Putin are doomed to the same end, while supporting “the Syrian people”, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on X.

“Assad has fallen. It has always been this way and it will always be this way for dictators who rely on (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him”, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy said, adding that kyiv wanted to “pave the way for the restoration of relations (with Syria, editor's note) in the future.”

The Kremlin accuses Zelensky of “refusing to negotiate” the peace

US President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “would like to make a deal” to end the war, on his Truth Social platform.

“Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and end the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin,” he wrote, after meeting with Zelensky in Paris on Saturday.

The Kremlin on Sunday accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of “refusing to negotiate” with Vladimir Putin over an end to the conflict in Ukraine, again demanding that Kiev take into account “the realities on the ground.”

“It is the Ukrainian side that has refused and still refuses to negotiate. Moreover, Zelensky has banned himself and his administration by decree from any contact with the Russian leadership, and this position has not changed”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

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43,000 Ukrainian troops killed, 370,000 wounded, Zelensky says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that 43,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed and 370,000 wounded since the conflict with Russia began nearly three years ago.

“Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed on the battlefield,” Zelensky said on social media, adding that there were 370,000 wounded, half of whom returned to fight.

Russia announces capture of new village in eastern Ukraine

The Russian Defense Ministry announced Sunday the capture of a new village in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

The village of Blahodatne, where the eastern and southern fronts meet, has been captured, the ministry said in a statement, confirming the gradual advance of Russian troops in recent months on the eastern front.

Russia says it has shot down 46 Ukrainian drones in border and southern regions

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that Moscow had shot down 46 Ukrainian drones overnight in Russia's border and southern regions.

According to the ministry, 17 drones were shot down over the border region of Belgorod and 12 more over the Kursk region, where the Ukrainian military occupies part of Russian territory. The other planes were shot down over the Rostov and Astrakhan regions in the south.

Events in Syria a sign that Russia and its allies “can be defeated,” says Tusk

The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad shows that Russia and its allies “can be defeated,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday, as Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine continues.

“The events in Syria have made the world realize once again, or at least it should, that even the cruelest regime can fall and that Russia and its allies can be defeated,” Tusk said on the social network X.

Trump says Ukraine should expect 'probably' less U.S. aid

Donald Trump said Ukraine should expect “probably” less U.S. aid when he returns to office, in an interview broadcast Sunday but recorded ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Saturday.

“Yes, probably, of course,” the incoming U.S. president said when asked by NBC News whether Ukraine should prepare for a cut in U.S. aid when he takes office on January 20, before reiterating that he was trying to end the conflict with Russia.