Mr Putin said Russia was open to resuming diplomacy with the continent “if not with the current politicians, then when the political elites in Europe are replaced”. “The goals of the special military operation will be achieved unconditionally,” Mr Putin said, using a euphemism for the war. But Mr Zelenskiy admitted the US and Ukraine remained divided on territorial concessions that Putin has demanded from Kyiv as a condition to end his invasion. US officials said Mr Trump believes he could convince Mr Putin to accept a ceasefire but have not revealed details of the security guarantees for Ukraine in the plan. Andrei Belousov, Russia’s defence minister, told Mr Putin that the ministry’s “key task for the coming year is to maintain and increase the current pace of advance”.

Source: The Irish Times December 17, 2025 19:17 UTC