Russia prepares for talks with US President-elect Trump regarding the future of Ukraine before his inauguration on Monday, with no special conditions required for dialogue, according to President Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The parameters set by Russia exclude Ukraine and the EU from negotiations, emphasizing territorial concessions are off the table. Moscow believes Trump’s worldview aligns with its own, favoring a deal that sidelines Europe.
In a similar sentiment, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov suggested Trump listen to the Greenlandic people as Russia did with Crimea and Donbas, referring to the annexation in 2022. Lavrov dismissed the Maidan uprising as a US-plotted coup, justifying Moscow’s actions in Ukraine as necessary for Russian security. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is perceived as a tool to weaken Russia’s European security position.
A global survey reveals support from influential countries for a potential Putin-Trump deal, with India, Saudi Arabia, China, and others viewing Trump’s election positively for their nations. Meanwhile, clashes in Ukraine continue with Ukrainian forces capturing North Korean soldiers working with the Russian military.
Ukraine intensifies drone attacks on Russian infrastructure, targeting key facilities like the Kombinat Kristal oil storage and Bryansk Chemical Plant. The disruption of the TurkStream pipeline amplifies tensions between Ukraine and Russia as Ukraine seeks to end energy imports from Russia. The use of drones in the conflict escalates, with Ukraine downing numerous Russian drones in retaliation.
As the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, both sides increase military spending and production of arms. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with Ukraine actively combating Russian aggression both in the air and on the ground.