Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Putin Signals US Peace Talks Readiness Amid Ukraine Battle
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States is ready for peace talks with Ukraine, but fighting is still happening around the town of Kupiansk.
Ukrainian forces say they control most of Kupiansk, while Russia says they are trying but failing to take it.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said using frozen Russian money to help Ukraine is very hard to do legally.
European leaders are meeting to talk about this and other ways to support Ukraine.
Norway is also giving Ukraine new weapons.
The United States is asking Europe not to use the frozen Russian money yet, as it could be used in future peace talks.
Some European leaders disagree and want to find other ways to help Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the US is ready for peace talks on Ukraine, hoping Europe will follow.
Ukrainian forces claim to control nearly 90% of Kupiansk, contradicting Russian claims of failed counter-attacks.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the legal complexity of using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
Norway announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth over €267.5 million, including air defence missiles and F-16 fighter jet equipment.
The US is pressuring the EU to delay using €210 billion in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, suggesting it could be used as leverage in future peace deals.
- Who
- Vladimir Putin, Giorgia Meloni, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Andrey Belousov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Jonas Gahr Støre, Ana Kelly
- What
- Peace talks, battle for Kupiansk, use of frozen Russian assets, military aid to Ukraine
- When
- December 17, 2025
- Where
- Kupiansk, Ukraine; Brussels, Belgium; Rome, Italy; Oslo, Norway; Moscow, Russia; Washington, United States
- Why
- To end the war in Ukraine, provide financial and military support, address territorial disputes
- Country
- Ukraine, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Norway, United States
- Speaker
- Vladimir Putin, Giorgia Meloni, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Andrey Belousov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Jonas Gahr Støre, Ana Kelly
- Role
- Russian President, Italian Prime Minister, Ukrainian Military Chief, Russian Defence Minister, Ukrainian President, Norwegian Prime Minister, White House Deputy Press Secretary
- Event
- EU Leaders Summit, Battle of Kupiansk, US-Brokered Peace Talks
- Topic
- Ukraine Peace Talks, Use of Frozen Russian Assets, Military Situation in Kupiansk
- Broker
- United States
- Issue
- Territorial Concessions, Legal Use of Frozen Assets, Military Control of Kupiansk
- Financial Support
- €210 billion frozen Russian assets, €267.5 million Norwegian military aid
Sources
Russia making ‘unreasonable’ demands in Ukraine peace discussions, Italy’s Meloni says
Orbán asked Putin about punishing Hungary over EU using Russian frozen asset
Trump pressures EU to drop Ukraine's "reparations loan" using Russian asset plan
Putin signals US readiness for peace talks while battle rages near Kupiansk