Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready for wartime elections if allies guarantee security, after Donald Trump accused him of holding on to power
• Zelenskyy said new components of a peace proposal hashed out with British, French and German leaders are ready for US review
• Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine is not willing to concede territory to Russia

*This is a roundup of the latest developments from Russia’s war in Ukraine on Wednesday, December 10, 2025: *

Skip next section Indian arms makers held rare meetings in Moscow — report

December 10, 2025

Indian arms makers held rare meetings in Moscow — report

At least half a dozen executives from top Indian arms makers attended a rare meeting in Russia this year to discuss potential joint ventures, Reuters news agency reported citing three unnamed sources.

The firms include Adani Defense and Bharat Forge, two of India’s largest arms makers.

The talks were held on the sidelines of a visit by an Indian defense-industrial delegation on October 29-30.

That was the first such trip Indian defense business leaders took to Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The trip also laid the groundwork for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in early December.

Modi, Putin announce renewed trade relations

https://p.dw.com/p/552em

Skip next section Germany’s Merz calls some of US security plan ‘unacceptable’

December 10, 2025

Germany’s Merz calls some of US security plan ‘unacceptable’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday said that the new US national security strategy, contained parts that were "unacceptable to us from a European perspective."

Merz added Europe needs to become less dependent on the US.

While Merz rejected components of the US strategy, he also described it as unsurprising in substance, with the document roughly reflecting what the US Vice President JD Vance already said in February at the Munich Security Conference.

"Some of it is plausible, some of it is understandable, and some of it is unacceptable for us from a European point of view," Merz said of the US strategy.

"I see no need for the Americans to now try to save democracy in Europe. If it needed saving, we would be able to handle that on our own," he added.

Trump’s peace plan leaves Zelenskyy in a no-win situation

https://p.dw.com/p/552h7

Skip next section Trump doubles down on criticism of Europe, calls leaders ‘weak’

December 10, 2025

Trump doubles down on criticism of Europe, calls leaders ‘weak’

In a wide-ranging interview with American news site Politico, US President Donald Trump doubled down on his criticism of Europe, calling European allies "weak" because of its immigration policies.

"They’re weak. They want to be so politically correct," Trump said in the interview, deepening a rift between Washington and Europe.

Trump also hinted in the interview that the US could walk away from supporting Ukraine, saying Russia has the "upper hand" and that "at some point, size will win."

In response, a spokesperson for the European Commission defended the bloc’s leader, saying the region remained committed to the union despite challenges like the war in Ukraine or Trump’s trade tariffs.

Last week, the US released a national security documentthat sharply criticized Europe along economic and cultural lines.

The document warned that Europe would have to change course if it didn’t want to face "erasure."

US stance, policy on Europe ‘not helpful,’ MEP tells DW

https://p.dw.com/p/552ej

Skip next section Zelenskyy says he is ready for elections, if US and Europe can guarantee security

December 10, 2025

Zelenskyy says he is ready for elections, if US and Europe can guarantee security

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to hold elections within 60 to 90 days, if the US and European allies could guarantee security for the poll during the war.

The comments came after US President Donald Trump told Politico he believed it was time for Ukraine to hold elections.

"I personally have the will and readiness for this," Zelenskyy told reporters.

"I am now asking, I declare this openly, for the United States of America to help me, possibly together with European colleagues, to ensure security for holding elections," he said.

He said conducting a poll would mean changing Ukraine’s election law, which does not allow for ballots to be held under martial law.

Ukraine has not held any elections since Russia launched afull-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor in February 2022.

Zelenskyy’s five-year term in office ended in May 2024.

There are also concerns that Moscow may try to undermine the elections and install a pro-Russian leader.

https://p.dw.com/p/552bd

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

December 10, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces pressure from the White House to secure a quick peace in Ukraine.

But Zelenskyy and European allies have pushed back on a US-backed plan that is widely seen as favorable to Moscow to end the war.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and its European partners would soon present the US with "refined" documents to end the war with Russia.

On the battlefield, Russia said it was pushing into Ukraine, having captured 30% of the town of Myrnohrad, not far from the strategic city of Pokrovsk.

Follow along for developments throughout the day.

https://p.dw.com/p/552bI

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