'Coalition of the Willing' moves to counter US shift on Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amid escalating tensions with the United States, particularly following a recent military buildup by the U.S. in the Caribbean region. This support comes as the U.S. has intensified its pressure campaign against Maduro's regime, including the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast.

Tens of thousands of residents in western North America are under evacuation orders as heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, particularly affecting Washington state and British Columbia. Authorities continue to warn that water levels are rising, and the risk of flooding remains high following several days of intense storms.

An atmospheric river has led to severe flooding in the Pacific Northwest, affecting areas in both Canada and the United States. Thousands of residents are preparing to evacuate as torrential rain continues to impact the region, raising concerns about safety and infrastructure damage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a ceasefire is essential before elections can be conducted in Ukraine, expressing the belief that the United States should engage with Russia regarding a potential truce during a virtual meeting with European leaders. This meeting included leaders from Germany, Britain, and France, highlighting the international dimension of the ongoing conflict.

More than 400 civilians have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Uvira region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since December 1st, as reported by regional officials. The violence has escalated despite recent diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the area, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.

The U.S. military has seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a move confirmed by President Donald Trump. This operation is part of a broader strategy aimed at increasing pressure on the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro, amidst ongoing tensions in the region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the United States continues to pressure Ukraine to concede territories to Russia as part of a peace plan. Zelensky highlighted that Washington is advocating for Ukraine to withdraw its troops from certain areas in the Donetsk region, where a proposed 'free economic zone' would be established.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States is urging Ukraine to withdraw its troops from the Donbas region, proposing the establishment of a 'free economic zone' in the areas currently under Ukrainian control. Zelenskyy expressed concerns that such a plan would be unjust without assurances against Russian territorial advances.