► “Desertions” of Ukrainian soldiers trained in France
The French army, which trained a Ukrainian brigade in France before it went to the front, noted “a few dozen” of desertions during training, according to the general staff, while a Ukrainian commander admitted Monday January 6 “problems” within this unit.
“There have been a certain number of desertions, but these remain very marginal given the volume of people who have been trained”indicated a French general staff official. “They were trained with us, we protected them (…). They were in French barracks, they had the right to leave”.
► kyiv recognizes “problems” in a brigade trained in France
The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Mikhailo Drapaty admitted on Monday January 6 “problems” within the brigade « Mother in Kyiv »partly trained and equipped by France, after press revelations on cases of abuse of power and desertions.
“I confirm of course that there were problems with the command and the training process”he admitted to several media. “As far as possible, all of these issues are being resolved.”he continued, assuring that the number of desertions of soldiers trained in France was “minimum”.
► Ukraine says it is inflicting losses on Russia in Kursk
The Ukrainian army claimed “inflict losses” to Moscow's forces in Russia's Kursk region, where it has controlled hundreds of square kilometers of territory since August 2024, when Moscow says kyiv has launched a new offensive in this border area.
“In the Kursk region we are constantly inflicting losses” to the Russians, Ukrainian ground forces commander Mikhailo Drapaty told several media outlets, without giving further details on the ongoing operation.
► “No easy solution in Ukraine”, warns Macron
Emmanuel Macron warned that there would be “no quick and easy solution in Ukraine”while United States President-elect Donald Trump had promised an express settlement.
“The new American president himself knows that the United States has no chance of winning anything if Ukraine loses”and a “Surrender of Ukraine cannot be good for Europeans and Americans”said the French president during a meeting with French ambassadors.
The head of state also affirmed that the Ukrainians would have “to lead realistic discussions on territorial issues”car “only they can lead them”to find a settlement to the conflict caused by the Russian invasion in 2022.
“The United States of America has to help us change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table”while the Europeans will have to “build security guarantees” for Ukraine “who will be their primary responsibility”he estimated.
► Russia says it has conquered the town of Kurakhové in eastern Ukraine
Russian forces have conquered the mining town of Kurakhové in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said, a major breakthrough after months of steady progress in the region.
Russian units “completely liberated the town of Kurakhové, the largest settlement in the south-west of Donbass”the ministry said on Telegram.
► Ukraine’s position in the Kursk region “important”
The position of the Ukrainian army in the Russian region of Kursk, where it has been carrying out an offensive since last summer, will be « important » as part of possible peace negotiations between kyiv and Moscow, estimated American Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“Their position in Kursk is important, as it is certainly an element to take into account in any negotiations that may take place in the coming year”declared Antony Blinken during a press conference in Seoul, the first stage of a farewell tour which should also take him to Japan and France.
► Ukraine attacks in the Kursk region
Moscow claimed to be repelling a new Ukrainian offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, where kyiv's forces already control several hundred square kilometers since an assault in August 2024, a surprise operation two weeks before Donald Trump's return home. White.
The Republican's inauguration on January 20 has Ukraine fearing a drastic reduction in U.S. support and that the next American president, who has sworn he can resolve the conflict “in 24 hours”does not force the Ukrainians to make concessions in the face of Vladimir Putin.
► Zelensky says he wants to agree with Trump on a peace plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published on Sunday that he wanted to meet future US President Donald Trump to agree on a peace plan before any negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“First with Trump, we agree with him on how to end the war, how to stop Putin”said Volodymyr Zelensky in this three-hour interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, also saying that he was “very important that Europe has a voice” in discussions.
