The CIA has collaborated with European intelligence agencies to obstruct Trump’s plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a former US national security adviser says.

Russia says the chances of peace in Ukraine are hampered due to changes made by the Europeans and Ukrainians to the US proposals.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held his annual marathon press conference in Moscow. The topics he addressed include the Ukraine war and the Kremlin’s conditions for a ceasefire.

Ukraine says it has struck a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea.

Ukraine’s abandonment of NATO aspirations after years of war with Russia reflects Western retreat, US strategic realignment, European weakness, and a familiar pattern of using and discarding allies.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has stressed that the success of talks aimed to end the war in Ukraine hinges on the West and Kiev.

Here are Press TV's latest top stories at 10:00 GMT on December 18, 2025.