Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is interested in stabilising the situation in Syria and that removing Russian presence in the country is “crucial” for its security.

Syria is in a state of transition after rebels toppled the regime of Bashar al Assad earlier this month. 

Russia – a key supporter of Assad, has seen its presence in Syria diminished since the uprising, with analysts noting that Moscow has now begun moving a large amount of its military equipment out of the country in recent weeks.

“Ukraine is interested in stabilising the situation in Syria and the entire region and will support the necessary efforts of partners,” said Zelenskyy.

“We believe it is crucial for the security of the Syrian people and the region as a whole to remove any Russian presence from Syria.”

Ukraine’s president said Kyiv would support Syria in ensuring it had security over its food supplies and that it was ready to work with “the representatives of the Syrian people to correct the mistakes of the Assad regime”.

First Ukrainian Legion unit deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says

The first unit of a volunteer brigade formed and trained in Poland has departed for Ukraine, says Kyiv’s ambassador to Warsaw.

The Ukrainian Legion aims to bolster Ukraine’s army by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.

The unit is trained by Poland’s armed forces.

Vasyl Bodnar called the project a “success story”, with more than 1,000 applicants volunteering since its unveiling in July.

Activists hold rally in support of Ukrainian POWs

Ukrainians in the city of Lviv today came out in support of the country’s POWs being held in captivity in Russia.

Activists, servicemen and relatives of imprisoned Ukrainian soldiers displayed banners and flags urging for their return.

The Third Christmas in Captivity rally also featured a Christmas table divided into two halves, symbolising the way the holiday will be celebrated in Ukraine and for those in captivity.

Some Ukrainian estimates put the number of Ukrainian soldiers currently in captivity to as many as 10,000.

North Korean troops likely to march in 2025 Red Square parade, Kremlin aide says

North Korean troops are likely to take part in the annual Moscow Victory Day Parade next year, according to a Kremlin foreign policy official.

The event, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, is held in Moscow’s Red Square.

For context: Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer in their relations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The two countries signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty during Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June.

Ukraine says North Korea has already supplied Russia with around 10,000-12,000 troops to fight against Ukraine, of which Volodymyr Zelenskyy says around 3,000 have so far been killed or wounded.