Western equipment has slotted in to Ukraine's embattled, Soviet-era military throughout the war, including long-range missiles and advanced fighter jets.

Western nations, including France, have consistently maintained that no decisions on Ukraine’s future can be made without its participation, maintaining a united front in support of Kyiv. But is the reality different?

Pope Francis has called for a “negotiation” to end the war in Ukraine in a Christmas Day message where he appealed for weapons to be laid down in global conflicts and reconciliation between enemies.

Moscow again struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, part of an effort to wear down the country. “In the trenches, there are no holidays,” one man said.

Industry experts and Ukraine officials are suggesting that Russia likely is to blame for the Azerbaijan plane crash that killed dozens. NBC News' Daniele Hamamdjian reports on the ongoing investigation and what may have caused the crash.

Russia attacked Ukraine's energy system and some cities in an "inhuman" Christmas Day assault, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Zelensky warns of greater military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, including sending more troops and military equipment

Back then, in the first weeks of the war, Russia and Ukraine conducted several rounds of talks in person and online aimed at ending the conflict; although a framework for peace called the Istanbul Communiqué was drawn up,

North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region and are facing logistical difficulties as a result of Ukrainian attacks, Ukraine’s military intelligence said.

Pope Francis in his Christmas message called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war that followed Moscow's full-scale invasion two years ago.

Ukraine's air force says it detected 184 missiles and drones, causing damage to energy infrastructure across the country.