Key events
Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Russia yet to see details of proposals, Kremlin says
We are now getting first lines from the Kremlin, saying that Russia has yet to see the details of proposals on security guarantees, and stressing that Moscow would not want a ceasefire “which will only provide a pause for Ukraine to better prepare for the continuation of the war,” Reuters reported.
I will bring you more as soon as we have it.
ShareNew European body to assess claims for reparations on Ukraine to be set up
Top European officials meet on Tuesday to set up an international body to decide on tens of billions of euros of eventual reparations to compensate Ukraine over Russia’s invasion, AFP reported.
The International Claims Commission for Ukraine will assess and decide on claims for reparations, including any amount to be paid out.
The body was expected to be agreed at a high-level summit Tuesday in The Hague attended by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The commission’s establishment follows the setting up of a so-called “Register of Damages”, which has already received more than 80,000 claims for reparations from individuals or organisations.
The reparations mechanism is being coordinated via the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, the 46-nation group protecting human rights on the continent, AFP noted.
ShareMorning opening: What are you saying, Russia?
Jakub Krupa
After positive comments from European, Ukrainian and US leaders taking part in Berlin talks, the focus now shifts to Russia as we wait for Moscow’s first reaction to some of the proposals for ending the war in Ukraine discussed last night.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff attend a family picture at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Action Press/Shutterstock
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said this morning that Moscow had no understanding of the discussions just yet, as it awaits a debrief from the US negotiators. He also ruled out any territorial concessions by Russia.
Given the notably very positive tone of the US comments – from both the US officials involved and the US president, Donald Trump – about “tremendous support” from Europe, the Europeans will be feeling that the pressure is now on Moscow to, even reluctantly and begrudgingly, take a step closer towards the proposed plan.
But, crucially, they will be thinking that even if Moscow says niet, as it has so many times before, it will be hard for the US to blame Europe and Ukraine for that, which could be crucial in tense and delicate relations with Washington.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues his Europe tour ahead of this week’s crucial European Council meeting on the use of frozen Russian assets. He will be in the Netherlands today, addressing the Dutch parliament, and meeting with the country’s prime minister, Dick Schoof, among others.
Other EU leaders will also be busy. Finland’s prime minister, Petteri Orpo, hosts the first Eastern Flank Summit in Helsinki, bringing together leaders from the Nordics, the Baltics, Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania.
I will bring you all the key updates throughout the day.
It’s Tuesday, 16 December 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.