Weekly Update (Nov 24th to 30th, 2025)

Ukraine: Peace talks gather pace as fighting continues

Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine accelerated this week as the United States hosted senior Ukrainian officials for talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the discussions as productive, with follow-up contacts planned with Moscow. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signalled cautious support for a U.S.-drafted framework. Yet on the ground, the war showed little sign of slowing: Russian missiles struck Kyiv while Ukrainian drones hit oil infrastructure deep inside Russia. The overlap of diplomacy and escalation highlights both the urgency - and the fragility - of any potential ceasefire.

Gaza: Ceasefire holds, but under growing strain

Nearly two months into the Israel–Hamas ceasefire, the truce is increasingly strained. Israel carried out what it called preventive strikes inside Gaza, while Palestinian factions accused Israel of repeated violations. Hamas confirmed that a senior commander was killed by an Israeli drone strike on November 24, warning that continued attacks could undermine the deal. Mediators, including the U.S., continued to push both sides to honour commitments on aid access and hostage-related arrangements, amid concern that the pause in fighting could still collapse.

Brazil: Bolsonaro jailed over coup attempt

Former president Jair Bolsonaro began serving a 27-year prison sentence after Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court upheld his conviction for plotting to overturn the 2022 election. Prosecutors said Bolsonaro coordinated with military figures to subvert democratic rule. While he denies wrongdoing, his jailing marks one of the most severe punishments imposed on a former leader in Latin America and sends a clear signal of Brazil’s judiciary asserting its authority.

Sudan: Aid groups pull back as violence worsens

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan deepened after Médecins Sans Frontières suspended operations at a major hospital in Central Darfur, following the killing of a staff member by armed attackers. MSF warned it would not return without firm security guarantees. Fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continued across Darfur, Khartoum, and South Kordofan, with the UN reporting widespread civilian harm and ethnically targeted violence. Growing insecurity is forcing aid agencies to scale back just as humanitarian needs surge.