Putin hints at limited concessions as diplomatic activity intensifies around Ukraine war

(Horizon Weekly) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled a readiness to consider limited territorial concessions in negotiations over the war in Ukraine, while firmly excluding Donbas from any potential compromise. The remarks were reported by the Kremlin-aligned daily Kommersant following a State Council meeting held late on December 24.

Although the official agenda of the meeting focused on personnel training, Kommersant reports that Putin devoted much of his remarks to discussions surrounding a possible peace framework with the United States. He referred to earlier understandings reached in Anchorage and to subsequent talks involving European actors, claiming that Washington later withdrew some of its proposals. Putin reportedly characterized this shift as a sign of weakness on the American side.

According to the newspaper, the Russian leader insisted that Moscow remains prepared to honour the concessions it had previously agreed to, while reiterating that Donbas is non-negotiable. He reportedly stated that the Kramatorsk Konstantinovsk Sloviansk area would not be subject to discussion, though he left open the possibility of a partial territorial exchange elsewhere.

One of the most sensitive issues addressed was the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian occupation. The facility remains a significant point of contention between Moscow and Kyiv. Kommersant writes that Putin acknowledged ongoing discussions with the United States about the joint operation of the plant without Ukrainian involvement. These talks reportedly include proposals to use the plant’s electricity for joint cryptocurrency mining and to supply power to Ukraine.

As reports of Putin’s remarks emerged, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he expects to meet with US President Donald Trump in the near future. Zelensky said that significant decisions could be made before the end of the year. According to the Kiev Post, citing diplomatic sources, the meeting could take place as early as this Sunday at Trump’s residence in Florida if arrangements proceed as planned.

Zelensky also disclosed that he held a nearly hour long phone conversation with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He described the discussion as constructive, saying they explored ideas aimed at bringing the war closer to an end. The Ukrainian president emphasized that efforts are underway to ensure any agreements reached are both credible and enforceable.

He noted that several documents related to the process are already prepared or nearing completion, while acknowledging that substantial work remains on sensitive issues. Zelensky said the Ukrainian and American teams share a common understanding of how to move forward.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that Moscow is unlikely to accept a new peace plan emerging from recent US-Ukraine discussions. The paper cited several factors, including Russia’s confidence stemming from recent battlefield advances and the absence of key Russian territorial demands, such as full control over the Donetsk region. The report also noted that presenting a compromise as a victory to the Russian public would be difficult, particularly as thousands of Russians have reportedly signed military contracts for 2025, enabling Moscow to sustain the war despite heavy losses.

On the ground, hostilities have continued. Russian forces carried out strikes on several Ukrainian regions, including Mykolaiv, Volyn, and Zaporizhzhia, where a civilian casualty was reported. Odesa was also targeted, with damage reported to vessels flying the flags of Slovakia and Palau in its ports.

Ukrainian forces, in turn, launched strikes against targets inside Russia, including in the Rostov and Volgograd regions, underscoring that despite intensified diplomatic signalling, the war shows no signs of imminent de-escalation.