Fri Dec 26 16:46:50 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text:
According to a report in the Russian newspaper Kommersant, President Vladimir Putin has signaled a potential willingness to negotiate a territorial swap in Ukraine, potentially outside of the Donbas region, which Russia aims to fully control. The report cited sources at a late-night Kremlin meeting with Russian businessmen, with the potential deal involving concessions Putin made in Anchorage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that negotiations with the U.S. are inching closer to finalising a 20-point plan. However, disagreements remain regarding the future of Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control. The U.S., under President Donald Trump, is actively involved in brokering a peace deal, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner engaging with Russia, Ukraine, and European powers. The details of the U.S. proposals remain undisclosed, though Russian officials have alluded to prior “understandings” between Putin and Trump. Russia’s demands include Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and renunciation of NATO membership. A potential joint U.S.-Russia management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is also under discussion, with potential crypto mining operations and partial supply to Ukraine.
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The Hindu: Putin Signals Potential for Territorial Swap in Ukraine, Sticking Point Remains Donbas
MOSCOW – In a potential shift in stance, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated he may be open to a territorial swap in Ukraine, excluding the Donbas region, which he insists must be under full Russian control. This comes as the United States intensifies its efforts to broker a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict.
According to a report published by Kommersant citing inside sources who were present at a late-night Kremlin meeting with top business leaders, Putin briefed them on his plans, alluding to unspecified concessions previously made in Anchorage, Alaska.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged progress in negotiations with the U.S., but challenges remain. “We are inching closer to finalising a 20-point plan,” Zelenskyy stated, while highlighting key disagreements concerning the status of the Donbas region and the future of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end the conflict and has deployed envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to engage in negotiations with Russia, Ukraine, and European powers. The details of the U.S. proposals are yet to be publicly revealed.
Russia currently controls all of Crimea, approximately 90% of Donbas, and significant portions of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as smaller areas of other Ukrainian territories. Putin has previously stated that any peace agreement must involve Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson and renouncing its bid to join NATO.
The fate of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is also under discussion, with the possibility of joint U.S.-Russia management and potential crypto mining operations being considered. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022.
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