Finland FM on Russia-Ukraine peace talks and Trump’s potential role

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that a U.S.-proposed peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, while reiterating demands for international recognition of Russian territorial gains. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine's NATO membership is unacceptable to Moscow, framing it as a threat to Russian security.

The United States has announced it will not invite South Africa to the G20 summit next year, following former President Donald Trump's claims of human rights abuses against the Afrikaner community and allegations of a supposed genocide. This decision comes after the U.S. boycotted the recent G20 summit held in Johannesburg, which was marked by significant diplomatic tensions.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has faced backlash after suggesting military intervention if Taiwan is attacked, prompting a denial from former President Trump regarding advice to temper her comments to avoid provoking China.

The United States and Venezuela are on the brink of conflict, with escalating tensions attributed to the Trump administration's intensified campaign against President Nicolás Maduro, framed as a war on drugs but potentially serving broader geopolitical interests against China.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a new voluntary military service program targeting young people aged 18 to 19, aiming to recruit 10,000 individuals by 2030. This initiative comes in response to heightened security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the potential for further conflict in Europe.

Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukraine's Nobel peace prize winner, has warned that any peace agreement with Russia that includes amnesty for war crimes could embolden authoritarian leaders globally. She criticized a leaked US-Russia peace plan for neglecting the human dimension of the conflict and expressed support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's efforts to renegotiate it with the White House.

President Trump announced that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will return to Moscow to engage in new peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development comes amid leaked transcripts that raise questions about Witkoff's impartiality as a mediator, as he reportedly coached a Russian aide on how to present a peace plan to Trump.

Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., is actively involved in negotiating a peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia, emphasizing the need for assurances against future aggression from Moscow. This initiative comes amid heightened tensions and critical discussions surrounding the terms of peace.