NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦

NBC News reports growing behind-the-scenes friction between Marco Rubio and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff over leadership in Ukraine peace talks. Witkoff has allegedly arranged high-level meetings, including with Ukraine and France, without Rubio’s knowledge, sparking internal confusion. Beyond diverging views on Ukraine, Witkoff’s disregard for secure communications during Russia trips has raised concerns within the State Department.

Czech outlet Deník N reports that SPD, led by the pro-Russian Tomio Okamura, has blocked Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna’s planned visit to Ukraine and is pressuring to withdraw from the EU’s ammunition initiative. The move follows backlash from SPD supporters after Zůna stated that Czech participation in military aid and F-35 procurement would continue.

Zelensky: Ukraine’s delegation returns from the US tomorrow with documents on security guarantees and a 20-point peace framework discussed with American officials, including Trump’s team. He stresses that Putin will only shift from war if pressure continues, sanctions, oil price drops, and global isolation. “Putin fights as long as he has the money to buy loyalty and pay for killings.”

Zelensky warns Russia may launch a massive strike on Ukraine in the coming days. Monitoring channels also report unusual activity in Russian strategic aviation and likely preparations for a record drone and missile attack, potentially up to 800 drones, between December 25 and 26.

Over the past year, three Russian lieutenant generals were killed in Moscow car bombings: Ihor Kyrylov (RCB Protection Troops, Dec 2024), Yaroslav Moskalyk (Gen Staff, Apr 2025), and Fanil Sarvarov (Operational Training, Dec 2025). All were close to Putin and personally appointed by him.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denies claims that Russia aims to restore Soviet-era spheres of influence, calling them false. He added that Putin will be briefed by envoy Dmitriev after his U.S. trip to talk with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance took a jab at Ukraine aid, saying, “We help American seniors by cutting Social Security taxes because we believe in honoring our parents, not sending all their money to Ukraine.”