Following a meeting with military commanders, Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the military to advance its offensive and capture Zaporizhzhia. Putin also reiterated the need to establish a “security zone” along Ukraine’s northern border in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. These instructions mirror previous directives issued in November and May. These actions were taken not long after US President Donald Trump commented on Moscow’s potential interest in ending the war.
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President Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine holds a fundamentally different position than Russia regarding the future of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, asserting that territorial questions must be decided by Ukrainians themselves. He indicated that a referendum would be necessary, including participation from Ukrainians abroad, while acknowledging the need for the proper infrastructure. While Zelenskyy noted substantial progress on a proposed 20-point peace framework, President Trump also stated that sensitive issues remain, though a solution is moving closer. European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the progress and underscored the importance of ironclad security guarantees.
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DeepState reported that Russian forces executed three unarmed Ukrainian soldiers south of Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region on December 20. The execution constitutes another documented instance of Russian forces killing Ukrainian prisoners of war, highlighting further violations of warfare customs. The incident occurred when Ukrainian servicemen from a mechanized brigade were ambushed while attempting to occupy previously abandoned positions. Analysts stress the need for continued documentation and international dissemination of these events, emphasizing the roles of Ukrainian human rights officials and civil society in gathering evidence.
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The United States has offered Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan, though Ukraine would prefer a longer commitment. Negotiations, led by the U.S. and Russia, continue to search for a breakthrough on key issues such as troop withdrawal. The talks come as Russia claims its forces are advancing and also reports an attack on Putin’s residence. A national referendum to approve the 20-point peace plan is under discussion, though it requires a ceasefire.
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During an online briefing after returning from Europe, President Zelenskyy stated that the United States and Europe would persist in supporting Ukraine if Russia prolongs its war efforts. He emphasized the necessity of ending the conflict through diplomatic means and pressuring Russia, highlighting the unified stance shared with the Americans. Zelenskyy also noted the importance of robust security guarantees, including bilateral agreements with the U.S. and European partners, to be ratified by their respective parliaments, aiming to avoid the ineffectiveness of past agreements. Zelenskyy also mentioned that the 20-point plan should be endorsed by a referendum.
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President Zelenskyy believes Russia is fabricating justifications for strikes on Kyiv, potentially targeting government buildings. He stated this following a successful Ukraine-US meeting in Florida, which seemingly displeased Russia. Zelenskyy cited Russia’s history of inventing pretexts, such as a drone strike claim, to justify military actions, referencing the prior missile attack on the Cabinet of Ministers building. He urged vigilance and called for international intervention to pressure Russia into ending the war.
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During the Loyal Dolos 2025 exercise, Ukrainian experts participated for the first time in practicing mechanisms of Article 5 of the NATO Treaty. Representatives from the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) assessed an Alliance unit’s combat capabilities, integrating lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine into the scenario. This marked a strategically significant first for Ukrainian involvement in a key NATO training exercise under Article 5. Approximately 1,500 personnel across Europe participated in the exercise to assess the capabilities of a rapid deployment corps.
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Following a temporary ceasefire brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), critical repairs have commenced on a power transmission line near the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The IAEA team is actively monitoring these repairs, which are anticipated to take several days to complete. This initiative aims to prevent a potential nuclear accident during the ongoing military conflict. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed gratitude to both sides for agreeing to the ceasefire, which facilitates the restoration of electricity transmission between the NPP and the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant.
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In an interview with Tass news agency, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia would support China in a Taiwan contingency, citing a treaty with China that promotes mutual support in defending national unity and territorial integrity. He also expressed concern over Japan’s increasing militarization, referencing rising defense spending under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Lavrov’s comments followed Takaichi’s remarks that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. He urged Japan to carefully consider the potential consequences of its actions as it pursues militarization.
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In the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia’s billionaires have experienced a remarkable shift in fortunes, with their political influence diminishing while their numbers have surged to an all-time high. Putin has effectively maintained control through a strategy of rewarding loyalty and punishing dissent, exemplified by the experiences of figures like Oleg Tinkov, who faced severe repercussions for criticizing the war. While initial sanctions and economic downturns took a toll, the war has paradoxically fueled economic growth, creating opportunities for those aligned with the regime. Ultimately, this dynamic has resulted in the concentration of wealth and power, solidifying Putin’s grip on the elite and the Russian economy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker