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Ukraine's Western allies have endorsed a plan to provide the country with long-term, binding security guarantees, a direct response to President Zelensky's calls for clear post-war commitments. While details are being finalized, officials have clarified this support will not involve sending allied troops to fight in Ukraine. Domestically, Ukrainian officials are confronting a major issue of military service evasion, with reports suggesting up to two million people are wanted for draft avoidance. The new defense minister has publicly acknowledged the scale of desertions, and lawmakers are proposing to eliminate draft deferments for students over 25 in response to systemic corruption where officials allegedly took bribes to help men flee.
The most significant development involves reported U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine, which the *Financial Times* states are conditional on Ukrainian territorial concessions, likely in Donbas. Zelensky announced a document outlining these guarantees is ready and that he agreed on a framework with Donald Trump at Davos, with a delegation now heading to Washington for final talks. Militarily, Russia conducted large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, using drones, missiles, and a new hypersonic weapon called the Oreshnik. These strikes, which killed civilians and damaged infrastructure, coincided with international peace talks. On the battlefield, Russian forces claimed control of another settlement in the Kharkiv region as part of a renewed offensive, while Ukraine targeted Russian energy infrastructure and Moscow directly with drones. Concurrently, discussions among allies in Paris focused on forming concrete, long-term security commitments through a 'Coalition of the Willing.'
4 topics | 135 sources
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Paris for a meeting of a 'coalition of willing' allies. The talks focused on creating binding, long-term security guarantees for Ukraine after the war ends. Zelenskyy said he wanted a clear answer from Europe on these guarantees. A declaration from the meeting said ensuring Ukraine's future security could include providing military capabilities.
Ukrainian officials are reporting a major problem with men avoiding mandatory military service. Investigators say some draft enforcement officers have been caught taking bribes to help men flee the country, while a defense official stated that two million men are wanted for draft evasion. In response, lawmakers are proposing to tighten the rules, including a plan to abolish draft deferments for university students over the age of 25.
Russia carried out a large-scale missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, killing at least two people and causing power outages. The strikes occurred as Ukraine was hosting a trilateral peace summit, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said included an agreement not to fire on the capital. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv during the attack. Russia has also been facing daily drone attacks on its own capital, Moscow.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has publicly defended his country's decision to send military aid to Ukraine. He argued that stopping support for Ukraine would be equivalent to giving up on achieving peace.
6 topics | 1489 sources
Jan 13
Russia uses new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in strikes on UkraineRussia has used a new type of missile, called the Oreshnik, in attacks on Ukraine. The missile is described as hypersonic, meaning it can travel at speeds up to ten times the speed of sound. Germany condemned the use of the new weapon, calling it an escalation of the conflict.