Lipstick on an Alligator?
Trump and Zelensky project hope after talks in Florida but the clock is ticking in Putin’s favour
Before diving into today’s headlines, I encourage you to watch the video at the top of this newsletter, where I step back to tie together the many moving parts behind the Trump–Zelensky talks. While both leaders projected cautious optimism after hours of discussions, the reality remains murky - and potentially dangerous - as a shifting timeline risks giving Vladimir Putin more space to manipulate diplomacy and continue pummelling Ukrainian cities. With the fourth anniversary of the war approaching, this World Briefing looks past the optics to assess who truly benefits from time slipping away.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy projected both optimism and uncertainty over the progress of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal after their meeting in Florida on Sunday. “I do think we’re getting a lot closer, maybe very close,” Trump said, while Zelenskyy said the plan was “90%” complete. But neither leader offered evidence of a major breakthrough in the 20-point proposal that US and Ukrainian negotiators spent weeks revising, especially over two major sticking points: the future of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and that of a Russian-controlled nuclear power plant. Before the meeting, Zelenskyy said “a lot can be decided before the New Year,” but pointed to Russia’s relentless weekend strikes as proof that Moscow “doesn’t want peace.” - Semafor
A Russian submarine was deployed alongside a spy ship to map critical undersea infrastructure around Britain, it has emerged. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has declassified a photo of the incident, which saw a submarine shadowing the Yantar, officially described as a Russian research ship, as it reportedly surveyed the gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland. It was not clear whether the escort was one of Russia’s own purpose-built sabotage submarines. An anti-submarine Merlin Mk2 helicopter could be seen from the photo tracking the Yantar in the Irish Sea from November last year; a British submarine also emerged from the surface nearby. It is believed to be one of several operations where Russian submarines have accompanied the Yantar into waters close to the British Isles, according to The Sunday Times. First sea lord general Sir Gwyn Jenkins said earlier this month that there had been a “30 per cent increase in Russian incursion in our waters” just over the last two years. Just last week, Sir Gwyn warned that Russia was renewing its investment in its elite deep-sea submarine division, known as Gugi. The UK sanctioned the Russian military agency, which is leading the development of Russia’s underwater intelligence gathering operations, in June this year. An MoD spokesperson said: “As the defence secretary has said, our message to President Putin is clear: we see you, we know what you are doing, and we will not shy away from robust action to protect this country - The Independent
China on Sunday congratulated Cambodia on reaching a ceasefire with Thailand after weeks of deadly border fighting, as officials from the three countries prepared to open a two-day meeting in southwestern China. Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday ended weeks of fierce border clashes that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million by agreeing on their second ceasefire in recent months. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, called the ceasefire “an important step towards restoring peace” and said it was “in line with the shared expectations of countries in the region”. Cambodia’s top diplomat, Prak Sokhonn, and his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, are both expected to meet Wang in the Chinese province of Yunnan on Sunday and Monday to discuss the border situation. The talks aim to ensure a sustained ceasefire and promote lasting peace between the countries, according to a statement by Sihasak’s office. Cambodia and Thailand should "promote a complete and lasting ceasefire, resume normal exchanges and rebuild mutual trust" Wang said, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The ceasefire agreement comes with a 72-hour observation period, at the end of which Thailand agreed to repatriate 18 Cambodian soldiers it has held as prisoners since earlier fighting in July. Their release has been a major demand of the Cambodian side. China has sought to position itself as a mediator in the crisis, along with the United States and Malaysia - CNA
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The first of three phases of voting has finished in Myanmar, in an election widely dismissed as a “sham”, with major political parties dissolved, leaders jailed and as much as half the country not expected to vote due to an ongoing civil war. The military government is holding a phased ballot nearly five years after it seized power in a coup, prompting widespread opposition and spiralling into civil war. Observers say the junta, with China’s support, is seeking to legitimise its power as it seeks a way out of the devastating stalemate. More than 200 people have been charged for disrupting or opposing the polls under a new law which carries severe punishments, including the death penalty. There were reports of explosions and air strikes across multiple regions as the first round of voting took place on Sunday. A rocket attack on an uninhabited house in the Mandalay region in the early hours of the morning injured three people, the region’s chief minister told the BBC. Separately, a series of explosions damaged more than 10 houses in the Myawaddy township, near the border with Thailand, late on Saturday. A resident told the BBC that a child was killed and three others were taken to hospital. Voters have told the BBC that the election feels more “disciplined and systematic” than previous polls. The Burmese junta has rejected criticism of the polls, maintaining that it aims to "return [the country] to a multi-party democratic system" - BBC
Numerous countries including Jordan, Qatar and Algeria, as well as the African Union, have rejected Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region in Somalia. Israel on Friday became the first country to recognize Somaliland since the territory claimed its independence from the eastern African country of Somalia in 1991. The country has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since then. Somaliland is located on Somalia’s Gulf of Aden coast where the Bab el-Mandeb strait connects with the Red Sea, a highly strategic section of global maritime trade routes. It neighbours Djibouti, which houses the largest U.S. military base on the African continent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a joint declaration with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullah “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” a series of agreements to create commercial and diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab countries, AP reported. Netanyahu is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday in Florida. On Friday the New York Post reported that Trump said he would not follow Israel’s lead in recognizing Somaliland’s independence. The U.S. State Department on Saturday said it continued to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, “which includes the territory of Somaliland.” Qatar called the declaration “a dangerous precedent and a unilateral action that contravenes the principles of international law.” The African Union said it “firmly rejects any initiative or action aimed at recognizing Somaliland as an independent entity” without mentioning Israel - Politico
Brigitte Bardot, the French actress who became one of the world’s first global sex symbols, has died. Her foundation announced her death Sunday in a statement shared with French news agency AFP, confirming the iconic star passed away at her home in southern France after spending decades devoted to animal rights. No cause of death has been released. Her passing comes months after she underwent surgery for a serious illness in October - TMZ
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