international_relations

First Thing: Zelenskyy to meet European leaders in London for talks on ending Ukraine war

December 8, 2025 The Guardian
First Thing: Zelenskyy to meet European leaders in London for talks on ending Ukraine war

Zelenskyy to meet UK, France and Germany in London to discuss a US-authored peace proposal.

SUMMARY

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet UK, French and German leaders in London to discuss a US-authored peace proposal for ending the war in Ukraine; US–Ukraine talks showed no breakthrough. The article also reports concerns about Israeli surveillance at a US base, GOP reactions to Trump noted by Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump commenting on the Netflix–Warner deal, CDC website changes reflecting Robert F Kennedy Jr's vaccine-autism belief and autism advocates' response, economic concerns of millennials and Gen Z, the destructive Pacific Palisades fire, and a celebrity post confirming Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's romance.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Zelenskyy to meet UK, France and Germany in London over US-authored peace proposal.
  • US–Ukraine negotiations ended without breakthrough; Zelenskyy called talks "constructive, although not easy".
  • Concerns raised about Israeli surveillance at a US Civil-Military Coordination Center prompting a confrontation.
  • CDC website altered in line with Robert F Kennedy Jr's vaccine-autism belief; autism advocates mobilised.
  • Other items: GOP dynamics around Trump, Netflix-Warner takeover scrutiny, Pacific Palisades fires, Perry-Trudeau Instagram post.

CORE SUBJECT

US-authored peace proposal for Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet the leaders of the UK, France and Germany in London today to discuss the latest US-authored peace proposal aimed at ending Russia's war in Ukraine.

Days of negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials ended on Saturday without an apparent breakthrough. The Ukrainian president called the discussions "constructive, although not easy".

Following the Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire, the US has been working to push through a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. US officials claim they are in the final stage of reaching an agreement but there is little sign that either Ukraine or Russia is willing to sign the framework deal drawn up by Trump's negotiating team.

Israeli operatives are conducting widespread surveillance of US forces and allies stationed at a new US base in the country's south, according to sources briefed on disputes about open and covert recordings of meetings and discussions.

The scale of intelligence gathering at the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) prompted the US commander of the base, Lt Gen Patrick Frank, to summon an Israeli counterpart for a meeting to tell him that "recording has to stop here".

Staff and visitors from other countries have also raised concerns about Israel recording inside the CMCC. Some have been told to avoid sharing sensitive information because of the risk it could be collected and exploited.

Republicans in Congress privately made fun of Donald Trump only to come around to support him when he won their party's 2024 White House nomination, outgoing GOP House member Marjorie Taylor Greene said on Sunday.

"I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him, to when he won the primary in 2024, they all started - excuse my language, Lesley - kissing his ass," Greene, a Georgia Republican, said in a clip of an interview that is set to air on Sunday on CBS's 60 Minutes program.

The US president has said there could be competition problems around Netflix's $83bn (£62bn) deal to buy Warner Brothers' movie studio and streaming networks. Speaking at an event in Washington DC on Sunday, Trump confirmed he would be involved personally in the decision about whether the government would approve the takeover.

When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) altered its website last month to reflect the belief of the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, in a causal link between vaccines and autism - a claim that has been debunked by dozens of scientific studies - autism advocates sprang into action. They want public health officials to listen to autistic voices, and have been raising money to fight misinformation.

"I am a millennial who came of age during a financial crisis, global recession and pandemic. No, most millennials and gen Zers are not starving to death. But our adult lives have been marked by stagnant wages, inflation, broken political institutions and a sense of national decline," writes J Oliver Conroy.

Now, with millennials and Gen Z shut out of home ownership and saddled with ever-rising costs, he asks experts what can be done to help younger Americans enjoy a fraction of the economic security of previous generations.

The Pacific Palisades fire was the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history, destroying 6,800 structures; another 9,400 were destroyed across Altadena and neighboring Pasadena and Sierra Madre. For the thousands of Angelenos displaced by January's devastating wildfires - many of whom are still in temporary accommodation - this holiday season will look markedly different.

Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau have launched their relationship on Instagram, after the singer posted a photo of the pair smiling cheek to cheek and a video of them eating sushi together while in Japan. Perry's post appeared to confirm the months of speculation about a romance between her and the former Canadian prime minister.

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KEYWORDS

Zelenskyy peace proposal Ukraine US Russia CMCC CDC Robert F Kennedy Jr Marjorie Taylor Greene Trump

MENTIONED ENTITIES 24

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

👤 Person_Male

President of Ukraine, meeting European leaders in London over a US-authored peace proposal

UK

📍 Location_Country

United Kingdom; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London

France

📍 Location_Country

France; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London

Germany

📍 Location_Country

Germany; one of the countries whose leaders will meet Zelenskyy in London

United States

📍 Location_Country

Country behind the authored peace proposal and actor in negotiations

Russia

📍 Location_Country

Belligerent in the war in Ukraine; party to proposed peace framework

Kyiv

📍 Location_City

Capital of Ukraine; referenced as a negotiating party

Moscow

📍 Location_City

Capital of Russia; referenced as a negotiating party

Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC)

🏛️ Organization

New US base facility in southern Israel where concerns about Israeli surveillance were raised

Lt Gen Patrick Frank

👤 Person_Male

US commander of the base who confronted an Israeli counterpart about recordings

Israeli operatives

Other

Reportedly conducting surveillance and recordings at the CMCC

Marjorie Taylor Greene

👤 Person_Female

Outgoing Republican House member who commented on GOP reactions to Donald Trump

Donald Trump

👤 Person_Male

Former US president and 2024 Republican nominee; discussed in context of GOP support and Netflix–Warner deal involvement

Netflix

Brand

Streaming company whose proposed $83bn acquisition of Warner Brothers is under scrutiny

Warner Brothers

Brand

Movie studio and networks subject to a proposed acquisition by Netflix

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

🏛️ Organization

US public health agency that altered its website regarding vaccine-autism claims

Robert F Kennedy Jr

👤 Person_Male

US health secretary mentioned for his belief in a causal link between vaccines and autism

autism advocates

Other

Groups and individuals mobilising to fight misinformation after CDC website changes

J Oliver Conroy

👤 Person_Male

Opinion writer quoted about millennials and Gen Z economic challenges

Pacific Palisades fire

Event

Devastating wildfire in Los Angeles described as the most destructive in the city's history

Katy Perry

👤 Person_Female

Singer who posted photos suggesting a relationship with Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau

👤 Person_Male

Former Canadian prime minister featured in Katy Perry's Instagram post

The Guardian

🏛️ Organization

Source publication of the article and operator of the 'First Thing' newsletter

CBS's 60 Minutes

🏛️ Organization

Television program referenced as the source of the Marjorie Taylor Greene interview clip

NOTABLE QUOTES 3

"constructive, although not easy"

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Context: Zelenskyy describing recent negotiations with US officials

"recording has to stop here"

— Lt Gen Patrick Frank

Context: US base commander telling an Israeli counterpart to cease recordings at the CMCC

"I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him, to when he won the primary in 2024, they all started - excuse my language, Lesley - kissing his ass"

— Marjorie Taylor Greene critical

Context: Greene commenting on Republicans' private and public reactions to Donald Trump

FACTUAL CLAIMS 2

US officials claim they are in the final stage of reaching an agreement on a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

Claimed by: US officials other

The CDC altered its website to reflect Robert F Kennedy Jr's belief in a causal link between vaccines and autism.

Claimed by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) organization