Several of Saturday’s papers address Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s “agonizing choice,” as the Daily Mail writes, over whether to accept a US-backed peace deal with Russia. “Trump tightens the screw,” headlines the Mail, which reports that Ukraine has been told it has until Thursday to accept the “humiliating peace deal.”
Zelensky warns that his country faces the choice between “losing US support or losing its dignity” over the peace deal, according to the Financial Times. European allies are “unprepared” by the plan, which was drafted by advisers to the presidents of the United States and Russia, and say it amounts to a “capitulation” to Moscow’s demands. Zelensky says he will not reject the initiative “outright”, but will “offer alternatives” in dialogue with Washington.
In a speech addressed to the country, the Ukrainian president affirms that his country is facing the “most difficult moment in history”, highlights the Independent newspaper. Elsewhere, the newspaper reports on a “remarkable” 19-wicket first day of the Ashes in Perth, in which captain Ben Stokes led a “fierce fight against Australia”.
Trump confirms a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the peace plan, but the White House denies reports that the United States could “cut off” intelligence sharing if Zelensky rejects it, the Times reports. European leaders, along with the UK, are working to “strengthen” the agreement, “amid concerns that Ukraine risks further attacks if it weakens its armed forces.”
The Daily Mirror reports on the 10-and-a-half-year jail term of an “ally” of UK reform leader Nigel Farage for accepting pro-Russia bribes. Former Reform UK leader in Wales Nathan Gill, whom the paper describes as a “former party bigwig”, collected up to £40,000 from tycoon Oleg Voloshyn for “making pro-Russian speeches”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is urging Farage to “remove links between Reform UK and Russia” following Gill’s conviction, The Guardian reports. The paper says the government believes Reform UK is “vulnerable” to criticism that Farage and his allies have been “too pro-Russia”. Police have said there was no link to Farage in their investigation into Gill.
The Conservative Party would retain just 14 seats if an election were called now, according to an internal party poll leaked to the Telegraph. A source tells the paper the party faces an “existential threat” from Reform UK, which the poll said would win a majority of 46 seats. Another source says the Conservatives risk being “consigned to the history books.”
The challenges facing Labor are the focus of i Weekend, which reports that the Prime Minister is “losing control” of his party’s MPs ahead of the budget. Some Labor MPs have gone “a bit wild” due to uncertainty over Sir Keir’s leadership, according to former Downing Street advisers. MPs and ministers are urging more help to be provided to “people in need” amid the “cost of living crisis”.
Sarah Ferguson is “considering offers” for a “revealing TV interview”, her first since her ex-husband Andrew Mountbatten Windsor renounced his titles over her links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, The Sun reports. Some US networks are “willing to pay six-figure sums to secure the chat” with the former Duchess of York.
MPs are considering establishing a “service injury medal” for police officers who are forced to resign after suffering injuries while on active duty, the Daily Express reports.
Finally, the Daily Star discovers a boss who has ordered his staff to take time off to watch his children’s Christmas events, including pantos. “Oh, yes he did,” the newspaper writes.
