**China Urges Peace Talks Between Ukraine and Russia**
China has called for direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made this announcement on December 6.
According to Lin, the only way to resolve the conflict is through dialogue and negotiations. He said that the international community should help create conditions for the resumption of direct talks between the two sides.
China has been trying to position itself as a mediator in the conflict. Beijing has sent envoy Li Hui on multiple rounds of shuttle diplomacy in Europe. China’s six-point peace plan, which was laid out with Brazil in May, calls for:
* Non-escalation or provocations by either side
* An international peace conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine
* Increased humanitarian assistance to prevent a larger-scale humanitarian crisis
* Efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and avoid a nuclear crisis
* Opposition to attacks on nuclear power plants and other peaceful facilities
* Enhanced international cooperation to protect global industrial and supply chains
China’s plan does not mention Ukraine’s territorial integrity or the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
**Russian Casualties Rise**
Meanwhile, Russia has seen rising casualties in its war against Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 53 Shahed-type drones overnight on December 6.
Russia has also started selling off gold reserves to address its budget shortfall. November marked the fifth consecutive month of rising Russian casualties, with an estimated total of 45,690 soldiers lost during the month.
**Ukraine Receives US Aid**
The United States will send hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, and hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine before mid-January. The U.S. also offered to train Ukrainian soldiers at sites beyond Ukrainian territory.
**Finnish Court Trials Russian Mercenary**
A Finnish court began trial on December 5 for a Russian neo-Nazi mercenary accused of war crimes committed in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2015.
**Zelensky Calls for Effective Guarantees**
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that effective guarantees are currently needed for Ukraine’s security, including real alliances and a real security foundation within the country.