Overview
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are set to visit Kyiv for a commemoration and an inspection of damaged energy infrastructure before joining a Coalition of the Willing videoconference.
- US-brokered negotiations continue, with envoy Steve Witkoff citing “meaningful progress” and Ukrainian officials indicating further talks could take place later this week.
- The battlefield remains a costly stalemate, with Russia controlling roughly 20% of Ukraine and pushing slow advances in the Donbas at heavy cost.
- Sustained Russian strikes on power facilities have triggered the worst energy crisis of the war during severe winter cold, compounding civilian suffering.
- EU efforts to tighten sanctions hit a setback after objections from Hungary and Slovakia, even as European partners expand coordinated procurement and planning for Ukraine’s longer-term security.