In December 2022, the Russia-Ukraine conflict continued with Russian forces attempting to encircle and capture Bakhmut and Ukrainian forces trying to hold them back. All of Ukraine's thermal and hydroelectric power stations have been damaged in the waves of Russian missile strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the frontline city of Bakhmut and asked the G7 leaders for support, including boosting air defense systems. The G7 leaders condemned Russia’s “continued seizure” of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and pledged "unwavering support" to Ukraine.

Russia has claimed that it has made significant progress towards “demilitarising” Ukraine, however, heavy fighting has continued in eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin ordered defence industry chiefs to quickly provide Russian army ‘with everything they need' and is expected to dramatically increase its spending on the military in the next two years.

In response, Zelensky was planning a visit outside Ukraine, which had remained tightly held due to security concerns, but it had not been finalized. Boris Johnson urged western countries to “look urgently” at what more they can do to support Ukraine in the hopes of ending the war against Russia as soon as next year.