More from Steve Bannon socializing with Epstein.

Kremlin:

A ceasefire in Ukraine would be a deception and an attempt to mislead people, what is needed is a long-term peace.

Zelensky:

The Russians bragged for a long time that they had captured our Kupiansk.

For a long time now, Russians have been telling the whole world that Ukraine is supposedly weak. They are lying.

NEW: Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said fighting with Cambodia was still ongoing and no ceasefire had been reached, despite a phone call with Trump.

Anutin said he told Trump that Thailand was not the aggressor and was defending its sovereignty.

Secret meetings between Ukraine’s top peace negotiator and the leadership of the FBI have sparked concern among U.S. and European officials.

Rustem Umerov, President Zelensky’s chief negotiator, held closed-door talks in the United States with FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

The meetings were not publicly disclosed and are unusual given the FBI’s limited role in diplomacy.

Source: WaPo

NEW: The Trump administration plans to involve private companies in offensive cyber operations against criminal and state-backed hackers.

Source: Bloomberg

Hamas Leader Khaled Mashal:

We are very happy that Bashar al-Assad was toppled.

An exclusive video obtained by Al Arabiya shows Bashar al-Assad appearing irritated and refusing to be filmed in direct sunlight.

Luna al-Shibl intervenes, moving the shoot to another location in the rain.

Trump:

I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War.

They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim.

Turkish Foreign Ministry:

The damage sustained today (12 December) by a foreign-flagged vessel belonging to a Turkish company as a result of an attack on Ukraine’s Port of Chornomorsk points to the validity of the concerns we have previously placed on record regarding maritime security and freedom of navigation, as the ongoing war in our region spreads to the Black Sea domain.

According to the initial information received, the crew of the vessel and the truck drivers onboard are being evacuated, and no harm has come to our citizens as a result of the attack. Our Consulate General in Odesa is closely monitoring developments and providing the necessary support to our citizens.

On this occasion, we once again emphasize the importance of bringing the war between Russia and Ukraine to an end as soon as possible, and we recall the need for an arrangement aimed at preventing escalation in the Black Sea, including the suspension of attacks targeting freedom of navigation as well as the energy and port infrastructure of the parties.

NEW: The United States has removed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The moment of Russian kamikaze drone strike on a Turkish cargo ship at Ukraine’s Odesa Port.

Ukraine’s newest ballistic missile system, Sapsan, entered serial production and operational use in 2025, according to former Ukrainian Defense Ministry procurement official Liev.

The system can fire missiles with a range of up to 500 km and a 500-kg warhead.

Source: Militaryni

BIG: The EU approved an indefinite freeze of ~€210bn in Russian sovereign assets, ending the risky 6-month renewal cycle.

The freeze lasts until Russia ends the war and pays reparations.

No direct transfer of assets to Ukraine: only profits/interest (€3–5bn/year) for now.

This unlocks a plan for up to €165bn in “reparations loans” to Ukraine (effectively grants, repayable only after Russian compensation).

Decision bypasses unanimity to block potential vetoes (e.g. Hungary).

Syria’s Defense Minister met Türkiye’s Land Forces Commander in Damascus to discuss shared issues and ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two sides.