Putin Signals Possible Peace or Continued War in Ukraine at Major Year-End Address 
U.S. and China Push for Ceasefire as Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate 
UN Warns Gaza Humanitarian Aid at Risk as Israel Registration Rules Threaten NGO Operations 
Trump Signals Progress in Ukraine Peace Talks Ahead of U.S.–Russia Meeting 
Syria, Kurds and U.S. Race to Show Progress on SDF Integration Deal 
U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami Raise Hopes for Potential Ukraine War Deal 
Trump Attends Dover Ceremony Honoring U.S. Personnel Killed in Syria 
Dan Bongino to Step Down as FBI Deputy Director After Brief, Controversial Tenure 
Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. to Continue 
Barham Salih Elected as Next UN High Commissioner for Refugees 
Trump Administration Reviews Nvidia H200 Chip Sales to China, Marking Major Shift in U.S. AI Export Policy 
Honduras Election Recount Delayed Amid Protests and Political Tensions 
Fernando Haddad Confirms He Will Not Run for Office in 2025, Signals Possible Exit as Brazil’s Finance Minister 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
U.S. Senators Move Toward Deal to Strengthen Military Helicopter Safety Rules 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia to begin without any preconditions, including the controversial idea of Ukraine ceding territory to Moscow. His remarks came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s visit to Pretoria on Thursday—his first to an African country—cut short due to a deadly missile and drone assault on Kyiv that killed at least eight people.
Ramaphosa emphasized that negotiations should take place with "no preconditions," drawing on South Africa's own history of dialogue during the end of apartheid. “I shared our own experience and said that negotiations must not be bound by red lines before they even begin,” he stated.
Zelenskiy, seeking broader international backing amid intensifying criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, reaffirmed that ceasefire conditions must precede any substantive talks. Trump had recently criticized Zelenskiy for refusing to recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea as part of a potential peace deal.
South Africa has maintained a position of non-alignment in the Ukraine conflict, despite strong ties with Russia through the BRICS economic bloc. Ramaphosa reiterated that sensitive territorial issues should be addressed at the negotiating table, not beforehand.
This diplomatic exchange followed Ramaphosa’s recent separate calls with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict. Ramaphosa and Zelenskiy have previously met in Kyiv during a 2023 African-led peace initiative, which ultimately failed to yield progress.
Zelenskiy’s shortened trip underscores the war’s intensity as Ukraine continues to seek global support, particularly from nations in the Global South. His visit aimed to balance diplomatic outreach with urgent domestic concerns amid Russia’s escalating attacks.
