On December 26, Valeriy Klochok reported that agreements had been reached between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former US President Donald Trump regarding a personal meeting expected to take place in the coming days. Ukrainian media suggest the meeting could happen on December 28, though other dates are also possible.
Prior to this, Zelensky held a phone call with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The call included Ukrainian officials such as Defense Minister Umerov, Chief of Staff Hnatov, Foreign Minister Sebiga, First Deputy Sebiga, Deputy Head of the President's Office Ihor Brusilo, and advisor Oleksandr Bevs. Zelensky stated that both sides are actively working to develop realistic and reliable solutions to end the war in Ukraine, with plans to maintain ongoing contact.
In his Telegram channel, Zelensky confirmed intentions for a high-level meeting with Trump soon. He noted that some key decisions on resolving the conflict could be made before the New Year. American media report cautious optimism among White House staff about reaching agreements by the end of the year.
The Kremlin confirmed it has received an updated 20-point peace plan, already approved by Ukraine, Europe, and the US. According to Peskov, the Russian side is reviewing the document without providing a concrete answer yet. Russian media reported that President Putin highlighted the key issue of the Kramatorsk-Kostiantynivka-Sloviansk region and did not rule out a potential territorial exchange.
The issue of control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is also under discussion. Russia's Rosenergoatom was issued a 10-year license for the first reactor block, and further licenses will follow in subsequent years. Ukraine had proposed joint control with the US on a 50:50 basis, but the plant remains under Russian control.
Domestically, the first meeting of a working group to address the specifics of holding elections under martial law was announced. This group includes representatives from all parliamentary factions, leading NGOs, and public authorities.
Odesa and other Ukrainian regions were hit by Russian missile attacks overnight. American politicians condemned these strikes. Authorities in Kazakhstan opened about 700 criminal cases against citizens who fought for Russia against Ukraine this year.
Former President Trump claimed that the US launched powerful strikes on ISIS positions in Nigeria in response to attacks on Christian communities.
Further developments are expected both in international peace talks and within Ukraine regarding the electoral process and security amid ongoing conflict.
