For today, links to four reports: from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their initials below. (Scroll down for UKRAINE 12-20-25 and for WEST BANK, SYRIA, GAZA and MEDIA.) — MCM

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Ukraine battles an attempted Russian breakthrough in border region. From AFP. The Ukrainian army was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region, it said on Sunday, following reports that Moscow forcibly moved 50 people from a border village there. READ MORE in English.  Click HERE for same AFP report in French, and HERE for headlines of others.

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Putin’s readiness to speak with Macron ‘welcome’: French presidency. From AFP. The French presidency today welcomed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was ready to speak with Emmanuel Macron, after the French leader said Europe should reach out to Russia again over ending the war in Ukraine. READ MORE in English. . . Click HERE for headlines of same AFP report in French, and HERE for others.

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Russia says talks on U.S. peace plan for Ukraine ‘proceeding constructively.’ From AP. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said Saturday that peace talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were pressing on “constructively” in Florida, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said they were moving “quickly.” READ MORE in English. Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others. Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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