## Zelenskyy: Ukraine can’t accept a ceasefire that leaves Russia free to strike again

Authored by politico.eu

Zelenskyy said he spoke Monday with Witkoff and expected a post-talks update call Tuesday night — but downplayed hopes of reaching a speedy accord that would permanently end Russia’s attacks on his nation.

He dismissed as unrealistic any proposed agreement that fails to include clear-cut security guarantees from both the U.S. and European allies, a commitment that Trump appears loath to give.

Martin said making any ceasefire permanent would require, in part, that Russia pays a punitive price for the costs of Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction.

That would mean, he said, approving the European Commission’s plan to tap frozen Russian funds largely banked in Belgium.

Martin expressed hopes that Belgium would drop its objections at the next European Council this month.

“When the U.N. charter is violated in such a brutal manner,” Martin said, referring to Russia’s ongoing invasion, “there has to be a deterrence of such behavior.

There has to be some responsibility on the aggressor who has wreaked such devastation. »

### The message behind Putin’s camouflage-clad claim of victory in a key Ukrainian city

Authored by cnn.com

He reiterated his maximalist demands that Ukraine limits the size of its army, gives up some of its territory, and is banned from joining NATO.

A Ukrainian soldier fires towards Russian troops at a position on the front line near Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on November 23.

But while Russia is inching forward along the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, its overall victory is not at all certain, Barros said. »

### Outlets that reach millions denied access to rare Pentagon news briefings this week

Authored by apnews.com

Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week — sessions that are being held instead for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s hand-picked media organizations.

Hegseth’s team says the briefings are part of special orientation events for a newly credentialed Pentagon press corps, consisting primarily of conservative outlets that agreed to his new rules for operation.

Most mainstream outlets exited the Pentagon this fall rather than agree to the new rules. »

### Police were skeptical about tip that led to arrest of UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect

Authored by theguardian.com

Mangione was captured in Pennsylvania at a McDonald’s on 9 December 2024 in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson, the United HealthCare CEO.

The man had on a large coat, brown beanie and blue medical mask, just as the tipster had said.

Detwiler asked the man his name and explained that “someone called, they thought you were suspicious”. »

### Russian Cosmonaut Allegedly Photographed Confidential SpaceX Docs, Removed From NASA Crew-12 Mission

Authored by united24media.com

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been removed from the prime crew of SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station and replaced by fellow Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev after sources alleged he photographed confidential SpaceX materials in California in violation of US export control rules, according to The Insider on December 2.

The outlet reported that Trishkin also said NASA did not want the controversy around Artemyev to become public, while Artemyev was removed from training at SpaceX’s Hawthorne California, facility last week after allegedly photographing SpaceX engines and other internal materials on his phone and taking them off-site.

Every article pushes back against disinformation. »

## In pictures

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