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EU Rejects Putin’s Proposal for Schroeder Role in Russia Security Talks

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European Union foreign ministers have rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could represent Europe in future security negotiations with Moscow. Putin recently said he was open to discussing new security arrangements for Europe and named Schroeder as his preferred negotiating partner. However, EU leaders argued that Schroeder’s close ties to Putin and his past work with Russian state energy companies make him unsuitable to act as an impartial mediator.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said allowing Russia to effectively choose Europe’s negotiator would be unwise, while Germany’s Europe minister Gunther Krichbaum stated that Schroeder could not be viewed as an “honest broker.” Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has largely isolated Moscow through sanctions and limited diplomatic engagement. Many ministers also questioned whether Russia is genuinely ready for meaningful peace negotiations.

Despite the criticism, some European officials believe the EU should prepare for future direct talks with Moscow alongside ongoing US-led peace efforts. European Council President António Costa said discussions are already taking place among EU leaders about how Europe should approach any future negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also said Europe could play a complementary role in peace talks, though several ministers stressed the bloc should first strengthen pressure on Russia and agree on a united strategy before entering negotiations.

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Putin Says Ukraine War May Be Nearing Its End

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could be approaching an end, saying after Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow that the “special military operation” was “coming to an end.” During his speech, Putin criticised Western nations for continuing to support and arm Ukraine, accusing Nato countries of fuelling the conflict. The annual Red Square parade was notably scaled back this year, with no tanks or heavy military hardware displayed amid fears of possible Ukrainian attacks.

Putin also indicated he would only agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once a long-term peace agreement had been finalised. He said negotiations could take place in a third country and mentioned former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner for broader European security discussions. Meanwhile, European leaders have hinted at possible future talks with Moscow, with EU officials saying there may be potential for negotiations at the right moment.

Although a US-brokered temporary ceasefire reduced tensions during the Victory Day celebrations, both Russia and Ukraine later accused each other of violating the truce through drone strikes and artillery attacks. The two sides have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, but Moscow claims it has yet to receive confirmation from Kyiv. The conflict, which began with Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, continues despite renewed diplomatic signals.

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Russia Welcomes Iran Ceasefire, Urges US to Resume Ukraine Peace Talks

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Russia has welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the development will allow Washington to refocus on efforts to restart peace negotiations on Ukraine. The Kremlin said the truce was a positive step that could reduce global tensions and create space for diplomatic engagement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia was satisfied with the ceasefire decision and hopes the U.S. will soon resume trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Previous negotiations had been paused following the escalation of conflict involving Iran, which diverted international attention and diplomatic efforts.

Peace talks on Ukraine began last year in Istanbul and continued with trilateral meetings in Abu Dhabi and Geneva, but progress has remained slow due to disagreements over territory. Russia is demanding that Ukraine give up the remaining parts of the Donbas region, while Kyiv continues to reject any proposal that involves surrendering land, keeping negotiations at a standstill.

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Russia, Ukraine Swap 300 Soldiers in Second Day of POW Exchange

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Ukraine and Russia exchanged 300 prisoners of war each on Friday during the second day of a two-day swap, with several of the released soldiers having been held since the early stages of the war in 2022. The exchange followed Thursday’s swap of 200 POWs from each side, marking the second such prisoner exchange between the two countries in 2026.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the returning soldiers had fought in key war zones including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mariupol, with many spending more than a year in captivity. He also confirmed that two Ukrainian civilians were returned as part of the exchange.

Russia’s defence ministry said the United States and the United Arab Emirates helped mediate the swap. The exchange came after recent peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, though a planned new round of negotiations was postponed amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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Kremlin Affirms Interest in Continuing Ukraine Peace Talks

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The Kremlin stated on Monday that continuing peace talks with Ukraine remains in Russia’s own interests, emphasizing a preference for a diplomatic settlement to end the fighting. Despite recent deadlocks over Russia’s demand for control of the remaining part of eastern Donbas, Moscow reiterated its commitment to negotiations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s approach to talks has not changed and that political and diplomatic solutions are the preferred method to resolve the conflict. He noted that Russia remains open to discussions while prioritizing its own national interests.

When asked about potential impacts of U.S. strikes on Iran, Peskov affirmed that Russia still values U.S. mediation but would rely primarily on its own judgment. The statement signals Moscow’s intention to continue dialogue while protecting its strategic objectives in the region.

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US Pushes for Ukraine-Russia Peace by June Amid Ongoing Attacks

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the US aims to end the war with Russia by June, inviting both sides to hold talks in the United States next week, likely in Miami. Zelensky confirmed Ukraine’s participation but noted that difficult issues, including territorial concessions, remain unresolved. For the first time, leaders may be involved in trilateral discussions, though preparatory steps are required before this can happen.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts amid freezing temperatures. More than 400 drones and 40 missiles struck power plants, substations, and transmission lines, affecting regions such as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Rivne. Thousands of Ukrainians remain without electricity, forcing many to take shelter in metro stations. Ukraine has also retaliated with strikes on Russian military and industrial facilities in Tver and Saratov regions.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly four years ago, more than 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, with nearly 160,000 Russian military casualties confirmed. Zelensky emphasized that Moscow should not be allowed to leverage the harsh winter to pressure Ukraine. Despite ongoing diplomacy, the conflict continues to inflict severe humanitarian and infrastructural damage.

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US NATO Envoy Questions Russia’s Claim of Ukrainian Attack on Putin Residence

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U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker has cast doubt on Russia’s claim that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence, saying it remains unclear whether such an incident even occurred. Speaking in an interview, Whitaker said he was waiting for confirmation from U.S. and allied intelligence services, noting that Ukraine has firmly denied any involvement in the alleged attack.

Russia alleged that Ukraine launched 91 long-range drones at a presidential residence in the Novgorod region and warned that it would retaliate and harden its negotiating position in peace talks. Ukraine dismissed the accusation as false and said Moscow has produced no evidence to support its claims. Ukrainian officials described the allegation as an attempt to justify further Russian attacks and avoid meaningful steps toward ending the war.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the issue during a phone call, adding that he was angry about the reported incident but acknowledged that the facts were still being verified. The White House and U.S. intelligence agencies declined to comment further. Whitaker stressed that any conclusions would depend on intelligence assessments, as diplomatic efforts continue amid signs that Washington and Kyiv may be close to a broader peace agreement despite unresolved territorial disputes.

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Zelensky Accuses Russia of Blocking Peace Ahead of Talks With Trump in Florida

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a revised U.S.-brokered peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia. The talks come amid intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv, which Zelensky said prove that Moscow “doesn’t want peace.” The leaders will meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial issues are expected to dominate discussions.

The meeting follows a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv over the weekend that killed at least two people, injured dozens and damaged energy infrastructure, leaving large parts of the capital without heating. Zelensky said the bombardment was Russia’s response to diplomatic efforts, while Moscow accused Ukraine of delaying a peaceful resolution. Russia currently controls most of the eastern Donbas region, a key sticking point in negotiations.

Zelensky has expressed optimism about the updated 20-point peace plan, calling it a “foundational document” that is close to completion, though Trump cautioned that no deal would proceed without his approval. European and Nato leaders have reiterated support for Kyiv, with Zelensky urging “strong positions” to push talks forward. Despite diplomatic momentum, continued fighting on both sides underscores the fragility of any potential agreement.

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Kyiv Targeted by Russian Strikes Ahead of Zelensky’s Peace Meeting with Trump

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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine on Saturday, coinciding with heightened security measures ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert as explosions were heard in the capital, prompting air defense units to intercept incoming missiles and drones. No immediate reports of damage or power outages were recorded.

The attacks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalize a U.S.-backed 20-point peace plan aimed at halting the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky emphasized that his discussions with Trump would focus on territorial control, including the contested Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as security guarantees. Kyiv seeks legally binding provisions to prevent future Russian aggression, while a free economic zone is proposed for certain areas under U.S. compromise.

Additional issues include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the eastern Donbas region, both key points of contention in the negotiations. Russia’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, engaged with U.S. officials after Moscow received American proposals for a possible peace deal, although Russia has not publicly disclosed its stance on the documents. Both sides continue dialogue as efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict move forward.

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Ukraine, US Hold Christmas Day Talks to Advance Peace Deal

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a “very good” conversation on Christmas Day with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as negotiations toward a possible peace deal with Russia continued. Zelensky said the talks covered substantive aspects of the negotiations and generated new ideas aimed at achieving “real peace,” describing the engagement as constructive and timely. Senior Ukrainian officials, including Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, also participated in the discussions.

Zelensky said further talks were planned between Umerov and the US representatives, stressing the importance of seizing every opportunity to move closer to a settlement. The diplomatic push comes amid gradual progress in US-led peace efforts, including recent meetings between Ukrainian, Russian, and American negotiators. Zelensky has outlined a 20-point framework for ending the war, which includes troop withdrawals, security guarantees involving the US and Europe, and the creation of a demilitarized zone in parts of eastern Ukraine.

Despite ongoing negotiations, fighting has continued on the ground. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Odesa, causing power outages and civilian damage, while Ukrainian forces have conducted drone and sabotage operations against Russian military targets. Russian officials say they are reviewing Ukraine’s proposals, though President Vladimir Putin has reiterated demands that Ukraine cede all of Donetsk. International figures, including Pope Leo, used Christmas messages to call for an end to the violence and renewed diplomatic engagement.

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