Monday, December 29, 2025 - A significant diplomatic rift has emerged in the ongoing peace negotiations as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to strike President Vladimir Putin's state residence in the Novgorod region.
According to Lavrov, Russian air defenses intercepted and
destroyed 91 long-range drones between December 28 and 29. Moscow has labeled
the alleged incident "state terrorism," warning that such actions
will not go unanswered.
While Russia indicated it will not withdraw from the current
peace talks, Lavrov noted that Moscow’s negotiating position will be reviewed
in light of these events. Russian officials further claimed that targets for
retaliatory strikes have already been selected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly denied the
accusations, calling them a fabrication. Zelenskyy countered by suggesting that
Moscow is utilizing these claims as a pretext to launch new strikes against
government buildings in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that the focus should remain
on the diplomatic framework being discussed with international partners rather
than Russian "misinformation."
Despite the heightened tensions, details of a proposed peace
settlement continue to surface following Zelenskyy’s meeting with U.S.
President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The United States has reportedly offered
security guarantees for a period of 15 years, though Zelenskyy stated he is
pushing for a 50-year commitment to effectively deter future Russian
aggression.
Furthermore, the 20-point peace plan under discussion
includes specific mechanisms for monitoring the agreement and the
"presence" of international partners, although the exact nature of
this presence remains a point of contention with the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy also intends to put any final deal to a national
referendum in Ukraine, a process that would require a ceasefire of at least 60
days to facilitate a fair and secure vote.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the situation on the ground
remains brutal. General Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russia's General Staff,
claimed that Russian forces captured over 6,400 square kilometers of Ukrainian
territory in 2025.
President Putin has also reiterated his demand for the
creation of "buffer zones" along the Russian border to secure his
country's territory. Meanwhile, international allies are moving to formalize
their roles in the potential settlement.
French President, Emmanuel Macron announced that Kyiv's
partners will meet in Paris in early January to finalize their specific
contributions to the security guarantees.
With the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion
approaching in February, negotiators are facing immense pressure to find a
breakthrough on thorny issues such as troop withdrawals and the status of the
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
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