Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued clear messages and revelations to all parties following the publication of Volodymyr Zelensky's 20-point peace plan and reports that the Ukrainian president is planning a meeting with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in Florida, likely on December 28. The Russian president once again clarified Russia's territorial priorities, stating there will be no retreat regarding the Donbass region, though he left open the possibility of other concessions. Additionally, he revealed discussions with Trump concerning the Zaporizhia nuclear plant and why the American president is showing such intense interest.
No retreat in Donbass
During a meeting with top Russian businessmen at the Kremlin on the evening of December 24, the Russian president revealed details of his plan and his talks with Donald Trump. According to Russian media outlets like Komsomolskaya Pravda and Kommersant, Putin appeared open to a territorial exchange of lands currently controlled by Russian forces with Ukraine. However, he specified that he would make no concessions regarding the Donbass.
Concessions
According to Kommersant, "Vladimir Putin argued that the Russian side is still ready to make the concessions made in Anchorage," while signaling that "Donbass is ours." Specifically, it is reported that Putin demands full control of the Donbass, but outside this area, "a partial exchange of territories by the Russian side is not ruled out." Further details on these concessions were not provided. It is noted that various versions of peace plans involve demands for Russian withdrawal from the Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Putin reiterated that in Alaska, he made difficult concessions to reach an agreement with Trump.
The Putin message
Putin emphasized during his recent annual press conference that his objectives remain: Ukraine must withdraw from all of the Donbass, as well as the Zaporizhia and Kherson regions. These territories have been incorporated into the Russian Federation. Consequently, Moscow declares it will not engage in discussions regarding these lands. Furthermore, the Russian president made it clear that Kyiv must officially abandon its goal of joining NATO.
Why Trump wants the Zaporizhia nuclear plant
A major revelation from Putin involved why Trump is interested in the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. Putin stated that joint Russian-American management of the plant is being discussed. The Russian president highlighted that the United States has expressed interest in cryptocurrency mining near the facility and that the plant should be used to provide energy partially to Ukraine.
The Zelensky plan for territories and Zaporizhia
In Zelensky's recently released 20-point plan, one option mentioned was for Russia to withdraw from the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions. According to Zelensky, in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Khersonregions, the status quo would be maintained: "we stay where we are." Moscow wants Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk region, while the US proposes a compromise: a free economic zone. According to Kyiv, if there is no agreement on the formula, the free economic zone can only be introduced via a referendum, leaving the possibility open for such a zone in the Donbass.
What this means
First, it is unclear what this exactly entails. In the Trump plan reported by media, no free economic zone was mentioned. Instead, it suggested that after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donetsk, a demilitarized zone would be created under Russian control. This means the Russian army would not enter, but other structures (civil administration, police, FSB) would be present. Yuri Ushakov, aide to the Russian president, suggested Moscow might agree to this. Second, Zelensky may be using the term to cover a readiness to withdraw troops, provided a referendum is held. However, this would require a ceasefire, which Russia has already rejected, and a referendum would likely yield a negative result.
Zaporizhia nuclear plant in limbo
Zelensky also noted a second point of disagreement: the Zaporizhia nuclear plant. Reports suggest the US proposes joint management between Ukraine, the US, and Russia, with a 33% profit-sharing formula and the US as the primary operator. Ukraine's compromise proposal involves a 50-50 joint operation between the US and Ukraine. Additionally, the plan demands the demilitarization of the plant, the city of Enerhodar, and the Kakhovka dam.
Zelensky to the US with new ideas
Amidst this activity, it was announced that President Zelensky is preparing an immediate visit to the USA to meet with Trump. Zelensky posted on social media that they would meet soon, stating, "Much can be decided by the end of 2025." The Kyiv Post reported that the visit to Mar-a-Lago could happen as early as December 28. While issues like security guarantees and territorial control remain unsolved, Zelensky reportedly has "new ideas" to present.
Axios: Trump - Zelensky meeting on 12/28
US President Donald Trump will meet with Volodymyr Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on December 28, according to Barak Ravid of Axios, citing a Ukrainian official. "Trump will meet with Zelensky on Sunday at Mar-a-Lago," Ravid wrote on X.
Wall Street Journal: US sees investment opportunities with Russia
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner see opportunities for American investors in the restoration of economic ties with Russia, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report states the Trump administration provided Europeans with documents regarding Ukraine's economic reconstruction and the normalization of ties with Russia post-war. Witkoff and Kushner view Russia as a country rich in business opportunities, suggesting its return to the global economy would help stabilize Moscow's relations with Ukraine and Europe.
Zelensky trails Zaluzhny and Budanov in election polls
Despite his "new ideas," internal political developments in Ukraine are not optimistic for Zelensky. A survey by SOCISshows Zelensky would lose a presidential runoff to both former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny and GUR chief Kyrylo Budanov. In a runoff against Zaluzhny, the former commander would win with 64.2% against Zelensky's 35.8%.
The gap with Budanov is smaller but significant: 56.2% for Budanov versus 43.8% for Zelensky.
Who he would beat
Conversely, Petro Poroshenko would lose to Zelensky in a runoff, as he did in 2019, with 67.8% for Zelensky and 32.2% for Poroshenko. Zelensky would also defeat the commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, Andrii Biletskyi, with 59.6% compared to 40.4% for Biletskyi.
One in five would never vote for Zelensky
Notably, 22.2% of respondents stated they would never vote for Zelensky under any circumstances, while 21.8% said the same of Poroshenko. Regarding parliamentary elections, a potential Zaluzhny party would lead by a large margin over the parties of Zelensky and Budanov, though all, including Poroshenko's party, would enter parliament. The survey was conducted December 12-18, 2025, among 2,000 individuals.
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