**US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Discusses Ukraine Ceasefire**
In an interview with MSNBC on December 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked about the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine. He also discussed support for the country ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Blinken said that Ukrainians have to decide whether to continue fighting or negotiate a ceasefire. However, he emphasized that Russia must be willing to do so in good faith. If a ceasefire is reached, Blinken wants to make sure the Ukrainians and the Trump administration are prepared with a strong deal.
The comments come as President-elect Trump has promised to get the US out of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have urged him to maintain support for the country.
**European Leaders Reject Freezing Conflict**
Meanwhile, European leaders have rejected the idea of freezing the conflict without effective security guarantees. President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Brussels on December 19 and met with European leaders. He said that freezing the conflict would give Russia time to regroup before attacking again.
Zelensky also discussed the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. However, he emphasized that any decision must be taken in consultation with the Ukrainians.
**Violence Continues in Ukraine**
Despite efforts for a ceasefire, violence continues in Ukraine. On December 19, a Russian missile struck a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, injuring five people. Five people were also killed and seven injured in a fire at a detention center in Yakutsk.
**Russia’s Economic Situation**
Ukraine’s economy has adapted well to the war, while Russia’s economy faces increasingly unfavorable forecasts, according to The Economist.
The article ends with President Zelensky calling for unity between the US, EU, and European countries to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin and save Ukraine.