Morning Briefing: Dec. 13, 2025

​​​​​​​By Beril Canakci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including Türkiye offering to host peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telling Vladimir Putin that Ankara is ready to facilitate negotiations; the EU agreeing to indefinitely immobilize Russian assets; and Thailand dissolving parliament to hold snap elections.

TOP STORIES

• Türkiye can host peace talks to end Russia-Ukraine war, President Erdogan tells Russia's Putin

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is "closely" following peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, adding that Ankara can host the talks, in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Turkish Communications Directorate.

Erdogan and Putin met on the margins of the International Peace and Trust Forum in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat and discussed ties and comprehensive peace efforts regarding the Moscow-Kyiv war.

The efforts for ending the war with "a just and lasting peace are valuable," said Erdogan, noting that progress can be achieved in areas that offer practical benefits for both sides.

• EU agrees to 'indefinitely immobilize' Russian assets

The EU decided to "indefinitely immobilize" Russian assets in Europe, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced.

"The EU just decided to indefinitely immobilize Russian assets. This ensures that up to €210 billion ($246 billion) in Russian funds stay on EU soil, unless Russia fully pays reparations to Ukraine for the damage it has caused," Kallas said on US social media company X.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the decision, stressing that it sends a "strong signal" to Russia that its costs will continue to rise as long as the war continues.

• Thailand dissolves parliament for snap elections

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn dissolved parliament at Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's request as the country moves to hold snap elections.

The king issued a royal decree dissolving the House of Representatives after Anutin formally requested fresh elections within 45 to 60 days.

Thailand's parliament was formed after the May 2023 general election.

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NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye expressed concern after a foreign-flagged vessel operated by a Turkish company was damaged in an attack on Ukraine’s Chornomorsk Port, saying the incident again underscored earlier warnings about the spillover of the war into the Black Sea.
• The UN warned of escalating displacement and violence in the occupied West Bank, citing high levels of illegal Israeli settler attacks and home demolitions.
• US President Donald Trump said the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to halt renewed fighting, and return to a peace agreement he helped broker.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders in Berlin next week to discuss developments in Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations, his office announced.
• The US warned it will use the "tools at our disposal” to hold “spoilers to peace” to account in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, directly accusing Rwanda of driving instability as violence intensifies despite recent diplomatic efforts.
• The UN General Assembly adopted a draft resolution demanding Israel allow full humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip, respect the inviolability of UN premises and comply with obligations under international law.
• Russia launched a ballistic missile and drone attack against Ukraine’s Odesa region, triggering explosions in multiple locations and prompting air defense activity, according to Ukrainian media reports.
• Britain has sanctioned four senior figures of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including the deputy leader of the paramilitary group, for the atrocities committed in Sudan's El-Fasher, according to a statement.
• Germany summoned the Russian ambassador in connection with a cyberattack and disinformation campaign.
• A document surfaced indicating former Iraqi President Barham Salih will take over as the UN's next refugee chief.
• At least 82 children have been reportedly killed in the Gaza Strip since a ceasefire took effect in October, said UNICEF, warning of a "staggering pattern" of violence.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Türkiye's trade minister says talks in US 'strengthened' path toward $100B trade goal

Türkiye's Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Ankara and the US have made progress toward expanding bilateral commerce.

Bolat said he had a "productive meeting" with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer during a visit to Washington, DC.

He said they "comprehensively" discussed Türkiye-US trade and economic relations.

• China rejects unilateral sanctions after US seizes tanker off Venezuelan coast

China voiced strong opposition to US sanctions after Washington seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela earlier this week and announced restrictions on six shipping companies and associated vessels, including one flagged in Hong Kong.

Beijing “opposes unilateral illicit sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, and the abuse of sanctions,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a news conference in Beijing.