Key Highlights
- Ukraine uses British missiles to strike Russian oil refinery in Novoshakhtinsk.
- Zelenskyy holds good talks with US envoys on peace plan for Ukraine.
- Russia claims slow but steady progress in US-mediated negotiations.
- Pope Leo XIV urges direct, sincere talks between Kyiv and Moscow during Christmas.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refinery with British Missiles
The Ukrainian military has launched a targeted strike against a Russian oil refinery in the Novoshakhtinsk region of southern Russia using British-made Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. According to Ukraine’s SBU, the attack aimed at disrupting the supply lines for Russian armed forces by targeting one of their main suppliers of petroleum products.
Zelenskyy Holds Constructive Talks with US Envoys
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported positive discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are working to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. “We discussed certain substantive details of the ongoing work,” Zelenskyy wrote in a social media post, emphasizing that there were “good ideas” for achieving peace.
Russian Claims Slow but Steady Progress in US-mediated Talks
Despite the slow pace, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that negotiations with the United States on ending the war are making steady progress. She urged the US to oppose attempts by Western European countries to hinder the talks and reiterated Russia’s willingness to sign a non-aggression agreement with a European or NATO nation.
Pope Leo XIV Urges Direct Talks Between Ukraine and Russia
On Christmas Day, Pope Leo XIV called for direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow, urging the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine. “May the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct, and respectful dialogue,” he said, adding that such talks could help cease the ongoing conflict.
