The protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated with a series of intense overnight drone strikes, resulting in casualties and significant damage on both sides. In Kyiv, a "massive" Russian drone attack killed at least two people and injured six, striking two residential buildings in the Dniprovskyi and Pechersk districts, igniting fires, and disrupting vital electricity and water supplies. Emergency services in Kyiv reported rescuing 18 individuals, including three children, while explosions reverberated across the city, prompting residents to seek shelter. Ukraine's Ministry of Energy confirmed a "massive, combined enemy attack" on its energy infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing targeting of critical systems. Simultaneously, Russian officials in the Rostov region reported that a Ukrainian strike had killed three people and injured ten, with one fatality occurring in Taganrog. The Governor of the southern Krasnodar region described the bombardment as "one of the Kyiv regime's most sustained and massive attacks." Additionally, a Russian air strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, claimed four lives, while a Ukrainian counter-attack caused power outages for tens of thousands in Moscow.

These latest exchanges of hostilities unfolded amidst complex and often contentious international peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had cautiously welcomed proposed changes to a controversial 28-point US peace plan, which had been met with strong European resistance. The original plan, initially drafted by US and Russian officials, was widely perceived by European allies as overly favorable to Russia, potentially stripping them of crucial leverage over Moscow and compromising their security framework. US President Donald Trump, a proponent of the original plan, expressed optimism for a resolution, despite his commitment to certain "red lines" – such as demanding territorial sacrifices from Ukraine and pledges against NATO membership – which Zelensky and Ukrainian officials found unacceptable. The Kremlin, however, consistently rejected any amendments to the original framework, describing them as "completely unconstructive" and not serving Russia's interests.

In a bid to break the diplomatic deadlock, European powers, including Britain, Germany, and France, proposed significant counter-proposals and amendments to the contentious 28-point plan. This led to the emergence of a refined 19-point peace framework, which Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya noted left "very few things" from the original. President Zelensky, despite previous pressures from Trump, acknowledged that "many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework," suggesting that a list of necessary steps to end the war could now become "doable." However, the Kremlin swiftly dismissed these developments, maintaining that the new plan would not work for Russia. The European Union and its allies are now actively pushing for greater involvement and a definitive say on future steps, particularly concerning sanctions and defence policies that directly impact European security and interests.

Several key issues have emerged as major sticking points in the ongoing peace negotiations, with Ukraine's aspiration to join NATO at the forefront. Ukraine views NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause as the strongest deterrent against future Russian aggression. While NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke of an "irreversible path" for Ukraine, a clear roadmap and consensus among allies remain elusive. Moscow, however, has drawn a firm "red line" against Kyiv's admission, with the leaked draft of the original 28-point plan controversially proposing that Ukraine enshrine in its constitution a commitment not to join NATO, and NATO agree to a provision precluding Ukraine's future membership. This specific wording sparked outrage among Europeans, who argued it would effectively grant Russia a veto over the alliance's decisions, setting a dangerous precedent. European nations firmly insist that any decisions regarding NATO membership must be made solely by NATO allies, a principle that also extends to the potential deployment of NATO troops on Ukrainian soil, an idea initially championed by a "Coalition of the Willing" led by France and the United Kingdom, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing 26 countries had agreed to send troops for "reassurance" or assistance.

Another critical area of contention revolves around the extensive sanctions imposed on Russia and the immobilisation of its central bank assets. The European Union has implemented 19 comprehensive packages of sanctions designed to cripple Russia's ability to finance the war, targeting imports, exports, banking, energy, transport, defence, services, media, and blacklisting over 2,700 individuals and entities. Sanctions relief has consistently been a top demand from the Kremlin, though an earlier attempt was firmly rebuffed by Brussels. The original 28-point plan proposed lifting sanctions "in stages and on a case-by-case basis," but EU officials are highly reluctant to prematurely undo these measures without concrete guarantees that Russia will not resume its aggression. The bloc intends to push for a carefully designed, drawn-out timeline that allows for the re-imposition of penalties if necessary. Furthermore, the EU is committed to an irreversible phase-out of all purchases of Russian energy by 2028, aiming to permanently deprive Moscow of a critical revenue stream.

The immobilisation of €210 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets across EU territory represents a powerful point of leverage for the bloc. These assets are central to an audacious plan to issue a reparations loan, intended to cover Ukraine's substantial financial and military needs for 2026 and 2027, especially as US assistance dwindles. This loan would be repaid only if Moscow agrees to compensate for war damages. However, the original 28-point plan dramatically proposed splitting these assets into two separate investment funds, allowing both the US and Russia to benefit commercially. This proposition ignited outrage and dismay among Europeans, who view these assets as their most potent tool to compel Russia to pay for the widespread damages inflicted by the war. European officials vehemently insist that these assets cannot be unfrozen easily and that Russia must provide compensation in the form of reparations, with one official describing the original plan's proposal as "economic brutality." The President of the European Council, António Costa, indicated a decision on how to bridge Ukraine's financing gap would be made in mid-December.

The question of Russia's global reintegration, particularly its return to the G8, also stands as a significant point of disagreement. The original 28-point plan suggested inviting Russia back to the G8, a move that President Trump publicly supported, asserting that Russia's suspension in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea was a "big mistake" that insulted Putin. However, as a consensus-based organization, re-admitting Russia would require the unanimous approval of all sitting members, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, and the EU. European leaders view such a move as a capitulation and a failure of their policy of isolation, effectively granting political amnesty to Putin. Despite initial reports suggesting some European allies considered allowing Russia to return following a ceasefire, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clarified that only the US desired Russia's re-entry. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recent talks with President Trump also failed to achieve a breakthrough on this issue.

Finally, Ukraine's potential accession to the European Union presents another complex diplomatic challenge. While Moscow has been less vocal in its opposition to Ukraine joining the EU compared to NATO, Washington has reportedly favored it as a "consolation prize" for Kyiv. The original 28-point plan indicated Ukraine's eligibility for EU membership and proposed short-term preferential access to the European market during discussions. However, Brussels maintains that EU accession is exclusively "merit-based," determined by structural reforms and progress rather than political agreements or external pressure. Unanimity among member states is also required for accession, a factor complicated by Hungary's veto, which has prevented Ukraine from making advancements this year. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed Ukraine's sovereign right to choose its own destiny, emphasizing that "They have chosen a European destiny." The confluence of intense military actions and intricate, often conflicting, diplomatic proposals underscores the immense challenges in forging a lasting peace in the region.