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Russia withdraws ships, and weapons from Syria

Russia is reportedly withdrawing its military and naval assets from Syria amid the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) announced on Dec. 8.

According to HUR's statement on Telegram, rebel forces advancing from Damascus are moving toward Syria's coastal provinces, including Latakia, Hama, and Tartus, areas that host key Russian military installations. In response, Russia has begun pulling out its forces and equipment.

The agency reported that two ships, the frigate Admiral Grygorovych and the cargo vessel Inzhenier Trubin, have departed from the Russian-controlled Tartus Naval Base. Additionally, Russian military planes are evacuating weapons and equipment from the Khmeimim Air Base.

HUR noted that losing the Tartus and Khmeimim bases would deal a severe blow to Russia's influence in the Middle East, marking a significant defeat in the region.

Russia has been a crucial ally to the Assad regime, maintaining a strong military presence in Syria through strategic facilities such as the Tartus Naval Base and Khmeimim Air Base. Its military intervention was instrumental in Assad's 2016 recapture of Aleppo, which helped solidify his hold on power.

However, this stability was abruptly shattered by a swift rebel offensive in late November, leading to the regime's downfall within a matter of weeks.

Zelensky responds to Trump: ceasefire without guarantees is a risk of a new war

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Donald Trump's proposal for an immediate ceasefire. He said that it was impossible to stop the war with just “a piece of paper and signatures,” as a ceasefire without real guarantees could turn into a new stage of aggression.

“Putin has repeatedly reignited the conflict after such agreements. To prevent the loss of Ukrainian lives, we need reliable guarantees of peace, not to turn a blind eye to the occupation,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

The answer looks logical: history has already taught us that trusting the aggressor without guarantees is just a pause before new losses.

Kremlin wants Zelenskyy to lift ban on contacts with Russia

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Dec. 8 that for peace talks to resume, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must lift his ban on negotiations with Moscow and revert to the Istanbul agreements, modified to reflect "current realities."

In a statement reported by TASS and Astra, Peskov said, "Ukraine has opposed negotiations and continues to refuse them. Furthermore, Zelenskyy himself issued a decree prohibiting any interaction with the Russian authorities. Their position remains unchanged."

He added, "To return to the peaceful path, Zelenskyy only needs to rescind this decision and give the order to resume talks based on the Istanbul agreements, while taking into account the realities on the ground."

Peskov affirmed that Russia is "open to negotiations on Ukraine" but insisted that talks would require Ukrainian forces to withdraw from the four Ukrainian regions Russia has illegally annexed. He also described the situation for the Ukrainian military as "catastrophic."