Overview
- In a New Year address, Volodymyr Zelensky said a draft agreement is 90% ready and vowed not to sign a weak deal, stressing the final terms must ensure a lasting and just peace.
- The core unresolved issues involve control of occupied areas, notably in Donbas, and the scope and duration of binding security guarantees for Ukraine.
- President Donald Trump, after meeting Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago, said the sides are very close to a deal following a lengthy call with Vladimir Putin, with teams working from a revised 20-point framework.
- Russian state broadcaster Vladimir Solovyov called developments a Kremlin “knockout victory” and claimed the Trump–Putin call undercut Kyiv’s plans, while a CIA assessment reported by the Wall Street Journal said Ukraine did not target Putin or his residence despite Kremlin assertions.
- Kinetic attacks continue as Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy grid and Ukraine hits Russian oil and port facilities in Tuapse, Taman and Rybinsk, with allied adviser meetings set for January 3 and a European leaders’ session in Paris on January 6 to detail security commitments.