Overview
- Putin said Russia will take the Ukrainian territory it claims by force or see Ukrainian troops withdraw, reiterating plans to control the whole of Donetsk.
- The Dec. 2 meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Kremlin lasted nearly five hours, which Putin described as necessary and substantive.
- Russian reports say Washington’s plan was presented as 27–28 points split into four packages and based partly on August discussions in Alaska, highlighting uncertainty over which version is being negotiated.
- Witkoff and Kushner are expected to meet Ukraine’s negotiating lead Rustem Umerov next, with the session reported to be planned in Miami.
- European leaders complain they are being sidelined as Russian attacks continue, with strikes reported on Kryvyi Rih, Odesa and Kherson’s heating infrastructure.