But overall, the bill represents a compromise between the parties. It implements many of Trump‘s executive orders and proposals on eliminating diversity and inclusion efforts in the military and grants emergency military powers at the U.S. border with Mexico. It also enhances congressional oversight of the Department of Defense, repeals several years-old war authorizations and seeks to overhaul how the Pentagon purchases weapons as the U.S. tries to outpace China in developing the next generation of military technology.
Archiv: Ukraine
Sweeping US defense bill passes, with Ukraine, Venezuela provisions defying Trump
And it has a provision to withhold a chunk of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s travel budget if he does not provide Congress with unedited videos of military strikes on boats in the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The Trump administration has said the strikes are directed at Venezuelan drug-traffickers.
The Senate vote came a day after Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, his latest move to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro‘s government.
It repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs) against Iraq, an attempt to reassert Congress‘ role in deciding to send troops into combat.
So hilft die Bundeswehr: Krieg in der Ukraine
Ein bewaffneter Angriff auf ein Mitglied der NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization gilt als Angriff auf alle NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization-Mitglieder. Das besagt Artikel 5 des Nordatlantikvertrages, der die gegenseitige Beistandspflicht der Bündnispartner im Verteidigungsfall festhält. Dass der gegenseitige Beistand kein Lippenbekenntnis ist, zeigen die multinationalen NATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organization-Verbände an der Ostflanke der Allianz.
Europe ready to lead ‘multinational force’ in Ukraine as part of US peace plan
In a statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and eight other European countries said troops from a “coalition of the willing” with US support could “assist in the regeneration of Ukraine’s forces, in securing Ukraine’s skies, and in supporting safer seas, including through operating inside Ukraine”.
Zelenskyy offers to drop NATO bid for security guarantees but rejects US push to cede territory
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday voiced readiness to drop his country’s bid to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees, but rejected the U.S. push for ceding territory to Russia as he held talks with U.S. envoys on ending the war.
Zelenskyy sat down with U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
US hails ‚progress made‘ in peace talks with Zelensky, set to continue in Berlin on Dec. 15
In a readout provided by Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy said that a „lot of progress was made“ during the meeting, without providing details.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Zelensky signaled that Ukraine seeks NATO-like security guarantees as part of a peace deal to prevent future Russian aggression, as full membership is opposed by the U.S. and other partners.
Ahead of the meeting, Axios reported, citing a senior U.S. official, that the Trump administration may be willing to provide Congress-approved NATO-like security guarantees.
USA wants clarity on deal by Christmas – Zelenskyy
„There were no specific ultimatum dates. The fact that everyone wants to finish as soon as possible is a fact. The United States wants to finish faster – we hear that from them. I think they really wanted, or maybe want to have a full understanding of where we are with this agreement by Christmas,“ Zelenskyy said during a meeting with journalists on Thursday.
Zelenskyy: Today, the best gift for all of Ukraine would be just peace
(December 6, 2025)
Zelenskyy emphasized that these years have changed Ukrainians. „And Ukrainians are a nation of believers. We strongly believe in God and hope for His help. We turn to Him in prayer,“ the president said.
At the same time, he added that Ukraine must rely on itself, its Armed Forces, its partners, particularly Europe and the United States, and the „adequate civilized world,“ which knows that Russia has long violated international law, „the laws of common sense, and absolutely all of God’s callings.“
„Therefore, we fight on the battlefield, in the diplomatic arena, we fight against the despondency within us. We know we are not alone, and we believe that together we will defend our rights. And we have them—the just right to life, our God-given land. We will definitely defend our future and a just peace,“ the head of state noted.
Ukraine‘s top negotiators to again meet Trump‘s envoys after Moscow talks, Zelensky says
After their visit to Brussels, the two Ukrainian officials will begin preparations for talks with Trump‘s envoys, Zelensky said, without providing additional details.
Donald Trump Faces Growing Republican Backlash Over Foreign Policy Moves
Some conservative and libertarian-minded Republicans have broken with Trump over his approach to Venezuela. Many Republicans have embraced an “America First” view of foreign policy and oppose regime change in other countries if they do not believe it benefits Americans.
(…)
Trump’s proposal for a peace deal on the Russia-Ukraine war has also drawn scrutiny. Critics have raised concerns that the deal may be too favorable to Russia, pointing to proposals that Ukraine would give up the eastern Donbas region and shrink its army to end a war started by Russia more than three years ago.
European Commission presents solutions to support Ukraine‘s financial needs: EU borrowing, ‚reparation loan‘
The document notes that as Russia „continues to show no signs of readiness to commit to a just and sustainable peace, the pressure on Ukraine‘s resources continues to grow, making continued EU support even more important.“
EU unveils 2 options for getting $90 billion to Ukraine in coming years
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled two options for financing Ukraine over the next two years, as Kyiv approaches an existential cash crunch.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, von der Leyen said that under the first option, European countries would jointly borrow and lend the money to Ukraine. All 27 member states would have to be on board for the plan to go ahead.
EU vows to keep supporting Ukraine with cash and weapons as peace talks continue
(November 24, 2025)
European Council President Antonio Costa pledged on Monday that the European Union will keep on supporting Ukraine, as he hailed „new momentum“ in peace negotiations to end the war triggered by Russia‘s invasion.
„The European Union is committed to continue providing President Zelenskiy with all the support he needs – diplomatic support, military support, economic support,“ he told reporters in the Angolan capital Luanda, after chairing a meeting of EU leaders on Ukraine on the sidelines of a summit with the African Union.
Putin wants to capture Ukraine’s crucial fortress belt without a fight
(August 28, 2025)
As US-led efforts to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine struggle to gain momentum, Vladimir Putin’s latest territorial demands include the surrender of strategically vital and heavily fortified Ukrainian land in the east of the country. Moscow is calling on Kyiv to unilaterally withdraw from the approximately one-third of Donetsk province that remains in Ukrainian hands as part of any peace deal. In other words, Putin aims to secure territory at the negotiating table that his army has been unable to conquer in more that three and a half years of full-scale war.
Ukraine war latest live: Russian offensive near Zaporizhzhia Oblast‘s Huliaipole repelled as troops spotted on city outskirts
Russian troops captured a Ukrainian servicemember during an assault on positions near the village of Hnativka in the Pokrovsk district earlier in November 2025, according to prosecutors.
One Russian soldier reportedly tied the prisoner‘s hands while another struck him several times in the head with an automatic weapon. When the captive stopped responding, the soldiers shot him.
The intentional killing of a prisoner of war is a breach of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a serious war crime.
Amid chaotic Ukrainian withdrawal, Russian forces reportedly execute 5 POWs in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
At least five Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were executed by Russian soldiers amid a chaotic withdrawal near Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, it was reported on Nov. 27.
According to analytical organisation DeepState, Ukrainian soldiers were taken captive and shot dead on Nov. 26 near Zelenyi Hai village, in the Huliaipole sector.
„The enemy captured the soldiers in the forest, lined them up, and shot them after interrogation,“ DeepState said on Telegram.
Speaking to Interfax-Ukraine on Nov. 27, Spokesperson of the Southern Defense Forces Vladyslav Voloshyn acknowledged that Ukrainian forces had withdrawn from positions in the area, but one unit „withdrew from the occupied positions in an uncoordinated manner.“
„Thus, it exposed one of the flanks of our operational structure in this area and the personnel of the adjacent unit found themselves without cover,“ he said.
Zelenskyy: Ukrainian, US delegations to meet to discuss security guarantees
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed a meeting of delegations of Ukraine and the United States at the end of this week to discuss, in particular, better diplomatic positions and security guarantees.
„Our team, together with American representatives, will already this week – at the end of the week – continue to bring the points that we have according to the results of Geneva closer to a form that will lead to peace and security guarantees. There will be a meeting of delegations. The Ukrainian delegation will be well prepared and tuned to substantive work,“ Zelenskyy said during his evening address.
Russia‘s coy game: Why Kremlin won‘t commit to Trump‘s peace push
There are signs that the Kremlin is not interested in a U.S.-brokered peace deal at all, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials reiterating maximalist demands and refusing to accept any compromise.
Instead of seeking peace, the Kremlin is trying to buy time and undermine Ukraine’s allies, analysts say. Another goal is to shift the blame to Kyiv by accusing it of rejecting Russian conditions that are effectively tantamount to capitulation.
Putin in his last address: Russia ready to fight until the last Ukrainian, offers no concessions, demands Kyiv surrender Donbas
Putin reiterated that the war in Ukraine will end only when Ukraine withdraws its forces from Donbas.
“If Ukrainian troops leave the territories they occupy, the fighting will stop. If they don’t, we will achieve this through military means,” he said.
He offered no concessions from Russia’s side.
Putin bleibt bei seinen Bedingungen – und droht
„Wenn die ukrainischen Truppen die von ihnen gehaltenen Gebiete verlassen, werden wir die Kampfeinsätze beenden“, sagte Putin bei einem Besuch in Bischkek, der Hauptstadt Kirgistans. „Wenn sie dies nicht tun, werden wir dies mit militärischen Mitteln erreichen“, so der Kremlchef.
Aus welchen Regionen genau sich die ukrainischen Truppen zurückziehen sollten, sagte Putin nicht. Russland hatte immer wieder gefordert, dass die Ukraine die vier Regionen Donezk, Luhansk, Cherson und Saporischschja vollständig an Russland abgeben müsse – auch die Teile, die Russland nie erobert hat.
Over the past week, my team has made tremendous progress with respect to ending the War between Russia and Ukraine (A War that would have NEVER started if I were President!). Last month 25,000 soldiers died.
The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement. In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians. I will be briefed on all progress made, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter, and let’s all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Witkoff to meet Putin as US sends delegations to Ukraine, Russia in ‚hopes of finalizing‘ peace plan
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Washington aims to finalize a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Nov. 25.
„In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians,“ Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
Witkoff To Moscow. Zelenskyy Is Wary. A Phone Call Leaks. A Ukraine Peace Plan Coalesces.
“I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Witkoff reportedly said.
Bloomberg did not say how it obtained the recording, which was likely made by US intelligence agencies who routinely monitor and eavesdrop on foreign officials’ conversations.
Zelenskyy ready to meet with Trump during Thanksgiving to finalize agreement – Yermak
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to meet with President Trump „as soon as possible“ – possibly by Thanksgiving – to finalize a joint agreement between the United States and Ukraine on the terms of ending the war, said Andriy Yermak, head of the President’s Office of Ukraine.
„I hope the visit of President Zelenskyy will take place as soon as possible, because … it will be help President Trump to continue his historical mission to end this war,“ Yermak told Axios in an interview over Zoom Tuesday morning. „Because [Trump] can say: ‚Look, this is confirmed and agreed, our position with the Ukrainians. We support it, and we continue now to speak with the Russians.'“
The Critical Importance of Ukraine’s Fortress Belt in Donetsk Oblast
(August 12, 2025)
– The fortress belt is made up of four large cities and several towns and settlements that run north to south along the H-20 Kostyantynivka-Slovyansk highway, with a total pre-war population of over 380,537 people. The belt is 50 kilometers long (roughly 31 miles, about the distance between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland).
– Ukraine has spent the last 11 years pouring time, money, and effort into reinforcing the fortress belt and establishing significant defense industrial and defensive infrastructure in and around these cities.
– Slovyansk and Kramatorsk form the northern half of the fortress belt and serve as significant logistics hubs for Ukrainian forces defending in Donetsk Oblast. Druzhkivka, Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka serve as the southern half of the fortress belt.
– Ukrainian forces first began building up defensive positions in and around these cities after retaking them from pro-Russian proxy forces who attacked and seized Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostyantynivka in April 2014.
– Russia’s failure to seize Slovyansk in 2022 and ongoing struggles to envelop the fortress belt underscore the success of Ukraine’s long-term efforts to reinforce the fortress belt cities.
Alle wissen, wie der Krieg gegen die Ukraine beendet werden kann
(March 5, 2022)
Die Maßnahmen bzw Bedingungen für und in der Ukraine.
– Neutralität, also weder Mitgliedschaft im Nordatlantikpakt N.A.T.O., noch in der Europäischen Union. Modell ähnlich wie Yugoslawien und Finnland nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg.
– bestimmt nicht demilitarisiert, sondern bis an die Zähne bewaffnet, allerdings ohne Atomzähne jedweder Art, weder Entwicklung noch Stationierung
– nach Wahl der ukrainischen Regierungen bzw Parlamentsmehrheiten jeweils Handelspakte und Waffenlieferungen mit bzw durch E.U. und N.A.T.O., ähnlich wie mit der Schweiz oder Schweden.
Ukraine reiterates its ‚red lines‘ amid speculations about military size, territory
Ukraine remains ready for peace talks with Russia but will never formally recognize the Russian occupation or accept restrictions on its army size or alliances, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said on Nov. 24.
These are the „red lines“ that nobody can cross, „neither physically, nor legally, nor morally,“ Stefanchuk said during the Parliamentary Summit of the Crimean Platform in Stockholm.
„No recognition of Russia‘s occupation of Ukrainian territories, no limits on the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and no veto over Ukraine‘s choice of future alliances,“ the official said.
Merz: We seek quick ceasefire, just and durable peace for Ukraine
„We continue to support Ukraine: We seek a ceasefire as soon as possible, a just and durable peace for Ukraine and security for Europe. Any plan affecting European interests and sovereignty requires Europe’s consent. Europe stands firm and united,“ Merz wrote on the social network X.
As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and shared fresh details of the work on steps to end the war. The President also noted that the Ukrainian side continues to communicate with the American side.
Russian attack kills 6 in Kyiv – Mayor Klitschko
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed the information about six victims in the capital.
„According to confirmed information from doctors, six people died as a result of the Russian attack on Kyiv,“ he said on Telegram.
Ukraine: Was ist der Stand bei den Verhandlungen zum Kriegsende?
Carsten Kühntopp berichtet aus dem ARD-Studio Washington, dass mehrere Formulierungen des Papiers tatsächlich wie direkte Übersetzungen aus dem Russischen ins Englischen klingen. Das US-Außenministerium dementierte jedoch: die Russen und Ukrainer hätten lediglich Input für den US-Plan geliefert.
Hochrangige Mitarbeiter in Außenministerium und Nationalem Sicherheitsrat erfuhren laut Kühntopp von dem Plan allerdings erst aus der Presse. Die Verwirrung um die Herkunft des Plans spreche entweder für ein chaotisches Vorgehen der Regierung oder für einen Machtkampf zwischen Rubio, Witkoff, Vizepräsident JD Vance und anderen um den richtigen Kurs gegenüber Russland.