(2025-12-26). What use is a mine ban treaty if signers at war change their minds? responsiblestatecraft.org Earlier this month in Geneva, delegates to the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Treaty's 22nd Meeting of States Parties confronted the most severe crisis in the convention's nearly three-decade history. That crisis was driven by an unprecedented convergence of coordinated withdrawals by five European states and Ukraine's attempt to "suspend" its treaty obligations amid an ongoing armed conflict.What unfolded was not only a test of the resilience of one of the world's most successful humanitarian disarmament treaties, but also a critical moment for the broader system of international norms designed to protect civilians…
(2025-12-26). Zelenskiy Signals Pre—New Year Breakthrough in U.S.-Led Ukraine Peace Talks. moderndiplomacy.eu Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that key decisions on ending the war with Russia could be made before the New Year, as Kyiv prepares for a high-level meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The comments follow renewed diplomatic engagement between Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators, including talks with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior …
(2025-12-26). North Korea's Strategic Bet: Why Pyongyang Chose to Side With Russia in the Ukraine Conflict. moderndiplomacy.eu The active military support of North Korea for Russia in the Ukrainian War has been a major shift in the foreign policy strategy of Pyongyang. It has long been recognized for its reluctance in participating in any international conflict through more than mere rhetorical support. North Korea has now leveraged beyond its fanfare support for …
(2025-12-26). Zelensky would lose an election to his former top general. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Dec. 26 (MNA) — Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky would overwhelmingly lose in a run-off presidential election to his former top commander, Valery Zaluzhny, according to a Socis poll published on Wednesday.
(2025-12-25). Why Russians haven't risen up to stop the Ukraine war. responsiblestatecraft.org After its emergence from the Soviet collapse, the new Russia grappled with the complex issue of developing a national identity that could embrace the radical contradictions of Russia's past and foster integration with the West while maintaining Russian distinctiveness.The Ukraine War has significantly changed public attitudes toward this question, and led to a consolidation of most of the Russian population behind a set of national ideas. This has contributed to the resilience that Russia has shown in the war, and helped to frustrate Western hopes that economic pressure and heavy casualties would undermine su…
(2025-12-25). Korea's Kim visits nuclear subs as Putin hails 'invincible' bond. tribune.com.pk 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a nuclear submarine factory and received a message from Russia's Vladimir Putin hailing the countries' "invincible friendship", Pyongyang's state media said Thursday. | North Korea and Russia have drawn closer since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, and Pyongyang has sent troops to fight for Russia. | In return, Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology and food and energy supplies, analysts say. | The "heroic" efforts of North Korean soldiers in Russia's Kursk region "clearly proved the invincible friendship…
(2025-12-25). 'Christmas under fire': Ukraine, Russia report fatal air strikes. scmp.com Russian air attacks caused death and destruction across Ukraine, authorities in different regions reported on Thursday, with Russian authorities reporting similar Ukrainian attacks on their territory. | A Russian drone attack in the southwestern Odesa region on the Black Sea left one person dead and two injured. Damage was caused to port and energy infrastructure, the regional authorities said. | In the Kharkiv region bordering Russia in Ukraine's northeast, one person died and 15 were injured.
(2025-12-25). Press TV (Iran): Ukraine signals readiness to scale back Eastern forces. gilbertdoctorow.com In this interview recorded in the morning, we discussed Volodymyr Zelensky's latest proposal that both sides create buffer zones on their sides of the present battle lines, meaning 'demilitarization' of the part of Donetsk still in Ukrainian hands and a similar 'demilitarization' of as many kilometers to the east of the battle lines by Russia. …
(2025-12-25). Kremlin blasts Zelensky's 'strange' Christmas peace pitch, awaits Putin's call. hindustantimes.com The Kremlin said it is analysing details of a US-Ukrainian peace plan announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky, with any response depending on decisions by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov criticised Zelensky's Christmas address as "strange" and questioned his readiness for diplomacy. Peskov also confirmed contacts with France over the case of French national Laurent Vinatier, saying proposals were made and "the ball is now on the French side." He added that President Putin has already sent Christmas greetings to US President Donald Trump, with no phone call planned.
(2025-12-25). What is Kwanzaa? And how can you celebrate in Philly? whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Philadelphia does not take celebrations lightly — and this includes activities around the winter holidays. Kwanzaa was created to help African Americans connect to their families, culture and community, said Morgan Lloyd, a program coordinator at the African American M…