Donald Trump has stated that he understands why Vladimir Putin is so strongly opposed to NATO membership for Ukraine. According to Kiev, Putin would be less aggressive if Ukraine were a NATO member, but an official invitation to join has yet to materialise.

If Ukraine falls, it will be hard to spin as anything but a debacle for the United States, and for its president.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade walks at a position with an anti-drone rifle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine December 3,

Russia's advances in Ukraine over the past week plummeted to levels last seen in July, according to an analysis by an independent investigative Russian news outlet. Newsweek has contacted the Russian government for comment via email.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to the statement made by newly elected US President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. He believes it is too early to draw conclusions, according to his statement during a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen.