Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky and Macron discuss French troops as Kim ‘oversees’ North Korean training
Zelensky seeks support from international community to force Putin to sit down at the negotiating table
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and French leader Emmanuel Macron have discussed the possibility of France sending troops to Ukraine.
Mr Macron became the first European leader to discuss the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine earlier this year.
“We continued working on President Macron’s initiative regarding the presence of forces in Ukraine that could contribute to stabilising the path to peace,” Mr Zelensky said.
It comes as South Korea suggested there were indications that North Korea is preparing to send more troops to Russia. Around 1,00 have been killed while fighting in Russia, according to South Korean intelligence, with roughly 1,000 more injured.
Member of the South Korean parliament Lee Seong-kweun said there was also intelligence that North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un was overseeing the training.
Ukraine and its allies estimate that North Korea has deployed between 10,000 and 12,000 troops so far to aid Russia’s war effort. The Pentagon said the soldiers were largely deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces were battling a Ukrainian ground incursion since August.
UK announces new funding for Ukraine amid ‘critical’ situation
Suspected assassin of Russian general Igor Kirillov arrested, Moscow says
Behind enemy lines: Ukraine’s deadly assassins have terrorised Russia with nuclear general their latest victim
What's known about the brazen bombing that killed a top Russian general in Moscow
At least 100 North Korean troops killed fighting in Ukraine, South Korea says
At least 100 North Korean troops deployed to Russia have been killed and another 1,000 have been injured in combat against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, a South Korean lawmaker said this morning, citing the country’s spy agency.
The heavy losses are attributed to the lack of experience of North Korean troops in drone warfare and unfamiliarity with the open terrain where they are taking part in the battle, member of parliament Lee Seong-kweun told reporters.
Mr Lee was speaking after a closed-door briefing by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to parliament.
The discrepancy in the estimate of the troops killed from that made by a US military official, who earlier cited “several hundred” casualties, is because of the relatively conservative analysis by the NIS, Mr Lee said.
“There was a report that there have been at least 100 deaths and the injured are approaching 1,000,” he said.
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
Daniel Burke was killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, says his coroner
What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
Britain can hardly afford to spend more on defending itself from Vladimir Putin but, says Sean O’Grady, it may have little practical choice
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city as Putin faces ‘massive cost’
Russian forces are just miles away from the key eastern city
Defence Secretary claims Putin is showing signs of weakness as he announces £225m for Ukraine
On a trip to Kyiv, John Healey said that the UK will “step up” on international leadership on Ukraine next year.
“Russians are putting Ukraine under pressure on the front line, but Putin himself is showing signs of weakness, calling in North Korean troops to reinforce his own army, walking out on Assad and failing to defend his own positions in Syria,” he added.
His visit comes after the Prime Minister said it would be a “big mistake” if allies did not maintain their support.
Speaking during a visit to Norway earlier this week, Sir Keir warned it was time for Kyiv’s allies to “double down” on the financial commitments, sanctions and the training they were providing to Ukraine.
“It’s important that we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position if there are to be negotiations, and even if there aren’t to be negotiations,” he said.
“But it would be a big mistake, in my view, to take our eye off the ball and not ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, which is why we’ve been doubling down on this at many of the international meetings we’ve had with our allies to discuss this.”
UK pledges fresh £225 million package Ukraine amid ‘critical’ situation
The UK has pledged a new £225 million package of support for Ukraine after the Defence Secretary said the situation in the country is “critical”.
On a trip to Kyiv, John Healey said that the UK will “step up” on international leadership on Ukraine in 2025, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged allies to maintain their support.
The package announced on Thursday involves £186 million for military equipment through the International Fund for Ukraine, including £92 million for Ukraine’s navy and £68 million for air defence equipment.
The Defence Secretary said: “Nearly three years after (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion, the depths of his miscalculation are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit.
“But they cannot go it alone – which is why the UK will step up our international leadership on Ukraine throughout 2025.
“We will enhance our offer of training to Ukraine and provide battle-winning capabilities, such as the drones and munitions included in our new £225 million package today.”
Ukraine’s scooter bomb killing could alter the course of the war
Ukraine’s scooter bomb killing could alter the course of the war
The audacious killing of Putin’s chemical weapons chief by Ukraine’s special forces – in the heart of Moscow – is a blow to the president’s personal prestige, designed to alter the roadmap to peace talks, says Mark Almond
Mudryk breaks silence after positive test for banned substance
Chelsea’s Mudryk breaks silence after positive test for banned substance
The Chelsea winger and Ukraine international, 23, has been handed a provisional suspension by the FA
Russian opposition figure says fears of his mother's poisoning in Berlin proved false
Russian opposition figure says fears of his mother's poisoning in Berlin proved false
A prominent Russian opposition politician freed as part of the largest East-West civilian prisoner swap since the Cold War says that fears of his mother’s poisoning in Berlin have proven false
Behind enemy lines: Ukraine’s deadly assassins have terrorised Russia
Behind enemy lines: Ukraine’s deadly assassins have terrorised Russia
Ukraine’s security service spy chief says they have killed ‘very many’ Russian conspirators
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments