As the conflict in Ukraine continues,with ongoing attacks reported across the contry including civilian areas,discussions surrounding potential de-escalation and peace negotiations are intensifying. Today’s developments include reported openness from kyiv regarding the demilitarization of the Donbas region, alongside meaningful diplomatic efforts involving the United States, and a planned meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump. This follows a flurry of activity as Russia proposes a non-aggression pact with NATO and the EU,and discussions continue regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated openness to the demilitarization of the Donbas region as Russia continues attacks across the country, including strikes on civilian areas. The ongoing conflict continues to raise concerns about the safety of civilians and the potential for further escalation.
Kyiv: Four Countries Ready to Send Troops After Peace Agreement
Four European countries are prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine following a peace agreement: France, Germany, Turkey, and Great Britain. This was stated by Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior advisor to President Zelenskyy, according to the Rbc-Ukraine news agency. According to Podolyak, allies must deploy forces to deter further Russian invasions and send peacekeeping contingents, adding that Ukraine will not bear this burden alone. Podolyak added that France, Turkey, Germany, and Great Britain have already given a clear “yes” to the question of deploying troops, while other countries are still evaluating the possibility.
Axios: Sunday Meeting at Mar-a-Lago Between Trump and Zelenskyy
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago. This was reported by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, citing a high-ranking Ukrainian official, and indicates “significant progress in negotiations on Trump’s peace plan.”
Media: Zelensky-Trump Meeting at Mar-a-Lago Expected Sunday
A meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, previously announced by Zelenskyy, could take place at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Sunday. The Kyiv Post reports, citing three diplomatic sources, that December 28 is currently the tentative date, pending alignment of schedules. According to one diplomatic source, the most difficult points of the peace negotiations remain unresolved: security guarantees for Ukraine, control of territories, and Russia’s legal obligations. Zelenskyy reported earlier that he had a lengthy phone conversation with U.S. presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, describing the discussion as an in-depth analysis of “formats, meetings, and timing” needed to halt hostilities. “We have some new ideas,” Zelenskyy said, stating he is ready to present them in person to Trump.
Kyiv: 73 Russian Drones Downed, 16 Locations Hit
Ukrainian air defense forces announced they shot down or neutralized 73 drones, mostly of the Shahed type, out of 99 launched by Russia overnight, along with one Iskander-M ballistic missile. They added that 26 drones impacted 16 locations. Ukrainian media, including Ukrinform, reported this information, citing the Air Force’s Telegram channel.
Reports: Three Deaths and Thirteen Injuries on Christmas
Russian attacks carried out on December 25, Christmas Day, resulted in at least three deaths and thirteen injuries in the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson, according to reports from the respective governors, Ivan Fedorov, Vadym Filashkin, and Oleksandr Prokudin. Two of the fatalities occurred in the Zaporizhzhia region, where 29 settlements were struck and four people were injured. The third victim was in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk, where three others were also wounded. Six were injured in Kherson.
Zelenskyy: “Much Can Be Decided Before the New Year”
“Much can be decided before the new year.” This assurance came from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in a message on X, referencing his recent contacts with U.S. negotiator Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, following a phone call. He described the discussion as a thorough analysis of “formats, meetings, and timing” needed to end hostilities. “We have some new ideas,” Zelenskyy said, adding he is prepared to present them in person to Trump.
Zelenskyy: “Upcoming Meeting with Trump”
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on X that he will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump “in the near future.” The news follows telephone conversations with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, and subsequent “contacts” between White House representatives and Rustem Umerov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Moscow: “77 Ukrainian Drones Intercepted and Destroyed Overnight”
Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 77 Ukrainian drones during the night, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, as reported by the Tass agency. “During the past night, 77 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed by air defense units on duty: 34 in the Volgograd region, 23 in the Rostov region, five in the Kaluga region, five in the Republic of Crimea, three in the Moscow region, including one flying towards Moscow, three over the waters of the Black Sea, two in the Belgorod region, one in the Voronezh region, and one over the Sea of Azov,” the statement read.
Ukrainian Media: “Drones Hunting Civilians in Kramatorsk, One Dead”
The community of Kostiantynivka, a city in eastern Ukraine in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk, continues to suffer deliberate attacks by Russian forces, who are using drones to hunt civilians and are launching attacks even during evacuation missions. This was reported on Facebook by the head of the Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, Serhii Horbunov, as reported by Rbc-Ukraine. According to the Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, one person was killed in a drone attack, while two others sustained injuries of varying severity. The injured were quickly transported to a hospital in Druzhkivka, where they are receiving medical care. They were participating in an evacuation mission at the time of the attack, helping to save their neighbors. The fire reportedly hit a civilian vehicle belonging to the ‘Kramatorsk Volunteers Association’ volunteer group, which evacuates residents from high-risk areas daily. No damage to residential buildings was reported. The Kostiantynivka Military Administration warns that there are no safe places left in the community, as Russian forces are deliberately targeting civilians and vehicles. Authorities emphasize that evacuation to safer regions remains the most effective way to protect lives.
Russian Media: Putin Says Zaporizhzhia Issue Still Open with U.S.
In a meeting with business leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the situation regarding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The Russian news outlet Kommersant reported this, also cited by Ukrainian media. According to Putin, the joint management of the plant, without Ukraine’s participation, is under discussion with the United States. The president also clarified that the U.S. side is interested in establishing mining operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. At the same time, at the initiative of the United States, the parties are considering supplying electricity to Ukraine. Separately, Putin noted that Ukrainian specialists continue to work at the plant, but now hold Russian passports. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, located near Energodar, on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Russia took control of the plant in March 2022, shortly after the start of the military operation in Ukraine, Kommersant notes.
Media: Putin Continues to Demand Cession of Entire Donbas
According to the Russian magazine Kommersant, cited by Ukrainska Pravda, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin stated that Russia, in negotiations with the United States, continues to demand the handover of the entire territory of the Donbas, which it has failed to conquer. During the New Year State Council meeting, Putin alluded to “concessions” he “made to himself” at Anchorage, implying that Russia continues to seek the cession of all of the Donbas territory it has not been able to capture. Furthermore, according to Kommersant, Putin did not hide the fact that the joint management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the American side (and not the Ukrainian side) was being discussed.
Kyiv: Critical Infrastructure Hit in Western Ukraine
Russian forces attacked critical infrastructure in the Volynia region of western Ukraine. The attack occurred in the evening, as air raid sirens were active in the region, Rbc-Ukraine reported, citing a local politician. Meanwhile, an air alert was issued in the southern regions of Ukraine due to Kalibr cruise missiles. These regions include Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Zelenskyy: New Ideas for Approaching Real Peace
Ukraine has new and good ideas for reaching a real peace. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, detailing his conversations today with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. “It was a really good conversation: a lot of details, there are good ideas, we discussed them,” he explained. “We have some of our new ideas on how to get closer to a real peace, and this concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, timing,” he added.
Media: Ukrainian Refinery Hit with British Storm Shadow Missiles
Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to attack a major oil refinery in Russia. This was announced by the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff. The Novoshakhtinsk refinery was hit by several missiles, causing “multiple explosions,” the General Staff stated in a statement on X. This type of weapon has been used in Russian territory several times previously. “Units of the Ukrainian Air Force successfully struck the production facility of oil products in Novoshakhtinsk, in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation, with Storm Shadow cruise missiles,” the statement reads.
Media: Moscow Discussing Joint Control of Zaporizhzhia with U.S.
Russia is discussing with the United States possible joint control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, President Vladimir Putin discussed this in a closed-door meeting with some entrepreneurs. The ongoing discussion between Moscow and Washington reportedly centers not only on control of the plant but also on U.S. interest in acquiring the management of mines near the nuclear site and structuring electricity supply to Ukraine. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, located near Energodar, on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Russia took control of the plant in March 2022, following the start of the military operation in Ukraine.
Russian Strikes Hit Market in Kherson and Building in Chernihiv: 2 Dead
Russian forces struck a market in Kherson and a residential building in Chernihiv on Christmas Day, causing civilian casualties, Ukrainian authorities reported. In Chernihiv, a drone hit a five-story building, killing an 80-year-old woman and injuring six others, at least three seriously, according to emergency services and regional governor Viacheslav Chaus, as cited by the Kyiv Independent. In Kherson, a bombing struck the city’s market around noon, killing a 47-year-old man and destroying numerous stalls, according to governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Kherson and Chernihiv remain among the areas most exposed to Russian attacks, with shelling regularly hitting infrastructure and civilians.
Russian Embassy in Rome Again Attacks Italy: “Its Policy is Ukrainianized”
The Russian embassy in Italy denounced on Facebook what it calls “the Ukrainianization of Italian policy” with the tacit consent and, in fact, complicity of the authorities. The diplomatic headquarters cited the pro-Russian conference on December 22 at the Federico II University of Naples, which was protested by Ukrainian and activist students. “The Naples episode – according to the Russian embassy – demonstrated this Ukrainianization particularly clearly. And it is not the first time in recent times. And the death wishes included in the Christmas message of the criminal and corrupt Kiev junta are an eloquent warning of what Ukrainianization can lead to.” “We express – the post concludes – our full solidarity with the Italian citizens who are today victims of Ukrainian Nazis and irresponsible Italian politicians who support them.”
The Russian embassy in Italy is no stranger to such attacks. In recent months, it has repeatedly targeted President Sergio Mattarella, the Italian political class, and the media.
Moscow: “Ready to Sign Non-Aggression Pact with NATO and EU”
Russia is ready to put on paper a mutual non-aggression pact with NATO and the European Union. This was stated by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, as reported by the same ministry on its social media channels. “The willingness to legally formalize the absence of aggressive plans against NATO and the EU on a reciprocal basis is a logical continuation of Russia’s principled approach,” Zakharova said, “Russia is ready to formalize these commitments in writing.”
The statement comes after – in recent hours – President Vladimir Putin was informed of the progress made in negotiations in Miami by Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. Zelenskyy said yesterday he was expecting a response from Moscow soon, explaining point by point the text agreed with the US in Miami and adding that there was no agreement on the disputed territories of the Donbas and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Today both Putin and Zelenskyy wished Trump a Merry Christmas, whom the Ukrainian president would like to meet to discuss precisely the Donbas.
