Ukraine: Key events that shaped 2024 and will influence the conflict in 2025
Ukraine is still standing after more than 1,000 days of full-scale fighting with Russia, in the biggest war in Europe since 1945
Russia
Western indifference to Israel’s thirst for war defines a grotesque year of hypocrisy
As China and Russia weigh up their options in anticipation of Donald Trump’s second presidency, horrified countries in the Global South see Gaza as an emblem of US and European double standards
Fatalities in Kursk and Kyiv as Ukraine and Russia trade missile strikes
At least one dead in Kyiv and six killed in Russia’s Kursk region
Ukraine should not be pushed to negotiating table too soon, says new EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas
EU summit: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy says Russia ‘not interested’ in peace
Vladimir Putin claims war in Ukraine has made Russia ‘much stronger’
Moscow ‘ready for negotiations and compromises’ to end the fighting, Russian president says during carefully controlled press conference
Russia detains suspect over killing of general in Moscow bomb blast
Igor Kirillov killed on Tuesday by device hidden in a scooter outside general’s apartment building
Ukraine kills Russian chemical weapons chief Igor Kirillov in Moscow
Russia vows revenge for assassination of general who was head of its nuclear defence troops
Assad dispatched $250m of Syria’s cash to Moscow
Central bank sent planeloads of dollars in 2018 and 2019 when dictator was indebted to the Kremlin
Ukraine food train delivers nourishment to places where invasion has made preparing a meal impossible
From its current base in Kharkiv, train staff prepare food boxes – including cutlets, buckwheat, cabbage salad, muffins and bananas – to be collected by volunteers and distributed
‘Utterly fearless’: tributes paid to ‘freedom fighter’ Robert Deegan, Irish soldier killed in Ukraine
Hundreds gathered in Newbridge, Co Kildare, to pay tribute to 29-year-old described as a ‘warrior’ with strong Christian faith
Georgian lawmakers elect former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as president
Kavelashvili has alleged western agencies are seeking to drive Georgia into war with Russia
Syria’s path to stability remains deeply uncertain
The group that brought down the Assad regime might be in the process of reinventing itself but it would be foolish to imagine that the Islamists of HTS have converted to the cause of liberal democracy
EU needs to be less ‘polite’ in resisting Russian attempts to sway elections
Worldview: Attacks include sabotage, assassinations, parcel bombs, cyber attacks, electoral interference, social media disinformation campaigns and the testing of military preparedness
Millions in Ukraine without power after another massive Russian attack on energy grid
Kremlin welcomes Donald Trump’s criticism of strikes on Russia using US missiles
Poland plays down prospect of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine
Donald Trump critical of long-range strikes against Russia carried out with US missiles by Kyiv
Russia rules out compromise on Ukraine as its troops grind forward in the east
Kyiv’s forces strike industrial sites in Russia as UN nuclear monitors condemn drone attack on vehicle
Romanian pro-European parties commit to forming coalition government
Groups may field single candidate for annulled presidential election when it is rerun next year in attempt to head off far right figures
Russia talks pointless without security guarantees and defence boost, Ukraine says
Kyiv open to possible deployment of western troops ahead of Nato membership
Putin bruised by Assad’s fall as pressure mounts for talks on Ukraine
Loss of Syrian vassal could cost Russia crucial military bases and influence in Middle East and beyond
Joy in Damascus as Assad falls
Syria’s elation is tempered by chaos as people destroy symbols of the former regime
Romania arrests armed men headed for Bucharest after cancelled vote
Presidential elections due on Sunday were called off because of alleged Russian interference
Ukraine war: Russia open to negotiations on certain terms, says Moscow
Kremlin open to talks following US president-elect Trump’s call for armstice
Syria’s civil war: What is going on and who is involved in this rapidly changing situation?
Conflict started 13 years ago during Arab Spring and escalated to involve opposition groups, extremists and world powers
Ireland’s five biggest problems: War, climate change, an EU crisis, housing and Trump
The next government faces immense challenges that require guile, nerve, judgment and luck
Syrian rebels claim to have reached Damascus suburbs in ‘final stage’ of offensive
State news agency denies rumours that Bashar al-Assad has left country as his 24-year rule comes under major pressure
‘I’m here for the long haul’: American veterans make new home in Ukraine as fears over US support grow
The International Legion has become a valued part of the Ukrainian military that continues to attract recruits from around the world
Georgia: Opposition leaders detained by courts amid crackdown on pro-EU groups
Ruling Georgian Dream party says ongoing demonstrations represent attempt to stage a revolution
Israel reinforces border as rebels advance in Syria
Ceasefire negotiations resume as 32 Gaza residents are killed
Syrian insurgents move in on city of Homs amid continuing advance to Damascus
Forces loyal to president appeared to be in retreat across country, with Bashar al-Assad increasingly losing grip on major cities
Romania’s top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate
Move comes days after declassified intelligence alleged Russia ran co-ordinated online campaign to promote Calin Georgescu
EU should halt visa-free travel with Georgia, Netherlands says
Tbilisi’s crackdown on opposition parties and protesters prompts Ukraine to impose sanctions on Georgian officials ‘handing over the country’ to Russia
Syrian rebels capture key city of Hama in new advance, dealing fresh blow to Assad
President has relied heavily on Russian and Iranian backing throughout most intense years of country’s long-running civil war
Kinahan cartel, Russian ‘elites’ and Kremlin linked to multibillion euro money laundering network
UK-led Operation Destabilise investigation confirms Irish gang’s links to organised crime in Russia
Syria: Rebel and government forces continue battles near city of Hama
Country’s long-running civil war has killed hundreds of thousands since erupting in 2011 in rebellion against president Bashar al-Assad
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