This is the live blog of Sunday 25th December, read the latest updates in the live blog of Monday 26th December
This is the most important news
Putin: ‘I am willing to negotiate on Russia
11:24 am | Russia would be willing to negotiate with all parties involved in the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with state broadcaster Rossiya 1. Furthermore, Putin accuses Kiev and its Western allies of “rejecting” any form of negotiated.
“We are ready to negotiate acceptable solutions with all involved,” Putin said. “After all, it’s not us who are refusing negotiations.”
He added that Russia is acting “in the right direction” towards Ukraine, because the US-led West would only aim to separate Russia. “We are just defending our citizens and the interests of our citizens,” Putin said. “We have no choice but to protect them.”
The Pope calls for an end to the ‘useless’ war in Ukraine
12:43 | Pope Francis on Sunday in his traditional Christmas blessing Urbi et Orbi (For the city and for the world) condemned the “useless” war in Ukraine.
“May the Lord inspire us to concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who suffer, and enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war”, said the prelate from the balcony. of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
The Roman Catholic Church leader has also called for food to be stopped as a weapon. “Every war generates hunger and food is used as a weapon, preventing its distribution to already suffering populations”, he told the thousands of faithful gathered in the square in front of the church. The pope has asked that agreements be made “to make food exclusively an instrument of peace”.
Pope Francis, increasingly dependent on wheelchairs due to chronic knee problems, gave his Christmas blessing standing up.
Ukraine: 16 dead from Russian attacks and mines
11:10 am | The death toll from Russian attacks on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson has risen to 13, Ukrainian authorities announced on Sunday. On Saturday 64 people were injured by the shelling. Three more people were killed in the region on Saturday when a landmine exploded as aid workers were clearing the area of landmines.
Authorities earlier said there were ten casualties and accused the Russians of massive artillery shelling in the city centre. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky condemned the attacks as an act of “terror”. “These are not military facilities,” Zelensky reported on Telegram, adding that the shootings are “killings for the sake of intimidation and pleasure.”
The Russian-appointed governor of the occupied Kherson region denies that Russian troops are responsible. The same Ukrainian troops bombed the city in a “terrorist way”, according to Vladimir Saldo. “This is a disgusting provocation with the clear aim of blaming the Russian military.”
Russia, which invaded Ukraine ten months ago, controls most of the Kherson region. But not the whole region. In mid-November, Ukrainian troops retook the city of Kherson, the administrative center, and a number of smaller towns in the area.
Chinese Foreign Minister defends Chinese position on Ukraine
10:15 am | Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has defended his country’s stance on the war in Ukraine, saying China is likely to strengthen ties with Russia next year.
“China will enhance strategic trust and good cooperation with Russia,” Wang said in a video speech. “In view of the Ukrainian crisis, it is important to remember that at all times China has upheld the basic principles of objectivity and impartiality without expressing support for either side.”
Three aid workers killed in Kherson mine clearance
10am | Three Ukrainian aid workers were killed on Saturday when a mine exploded as they were clearing parts of the Kherson region of landmines. This was reported by the emergency service of another Ukrainian region, Zhytomyr, on its Facebook page.
The three victims “selflessly” volunteered in that emergency rescue and rescue team from Zhytomyr, west of the capital Kiev, the Facebook post said. They carried out the order on behalf of the team in the Kherson region to “remove mines from areas liberated from the enemy.”
Russia, which invaded Ukraine ten months ago, controls most of the Kherson region. But not the whole region. In mid-November, Ukrainian troops recaptured the city of Kherson, the administrative center, and a number of small settlements in the area. Since then, explosives experts have been hard at work, because Russian troops are said to have planted many mines there.
Russians raise taxes for Russian refugees
09:16 | The Russian parliament is working on plans to make Russians who have left for other countries since the start of the war pay a higher tax rate when they return.
“It is the right move to impose a higher tax burden on those who left the Russian Federation upon their return,” concludes Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. “Those who have already understood that they have made a serious mistake have already returned, but the rest of the traitors must understand that the absolute majority of society does not support their actions and actually thinks that they have stolen the country, their family and their friends .” betray.
Zelensky addresses the nation combatively
07:03 | Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky addressed citizens of Ukraine in a broadcast Christmas message, saying Ukrainians would create their own miracle for Christmas by remaining combative, despite the fact that millions of Ukrainians are disempowered by Russian attacks.
Since the Russian attack ten months ago, Zelensky has insisted that there is a price for freedom, but an even higher price for slavery. “Even in total darkness, we will be able to find each other to give each other a tight hug,” Zelensky said. “And if there is no warmth, we find it in each other. We will continue to smile and feel the joy of Christmas as always, but instead of waiting for a Christmas miracle, we do it ourselves.’