Former US President Donald Trump has delivered a cautiously optimistic update following high-stakes peace discussions with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, though he warned that significant hurdles persist.
Security Guarances Agreed, But Sticking Points Remain
The talks, which concluded on Monday 29 December 2025, focused on Trump's proposed 20-point peace plan for ending the conflict with Russia. While Trump described the negotiations positively, he explicitly stated that "one or two thorny issues" were still unresolved and required further work.
President Zelensky provided more specific details, announcing that bilateral security guarantees between the United States and Ukraine were "100 per cent agreed". He added that broader security assurances involving European nations were "almost agreed", marking a potential significant step towards a lasting framework.
Russian Warnings and Military Posturing
As diplomatic efforts continued, Moscow issued a stark warning. The Russian government stated clearly that any European troops deployed to Ukrainian territory would be considered legitimate military targets. President Vladimir Putin reinforced this hardline position, insisting that Moscow would achieve its strategic goals by force if a peaceful resolution could not be reached.
In a related development underscoring regional tensions, declassified photographs from the UK Ministry of Defence revealed a Russian submarine was deployed to shadow the Yantar, a Russian research vessel. The Yantar was conducting surveys of a gas pipeline in waters near Britain, an activity that has raised concerns in defence circles.
Ambitions Beyond Earth: Russia's Lunar Power Plans
Separately, reports have emerged detailing ambitious Russian plans for space exploration. According to intelligence assessments, Russia aims to establish a nuclear power plant on the moon within the next decade. This facility is intended to provide crucial energy support for its expanding lunar space programme, signalling a new frontier in geopolitical and technological competition.
The convergence of these events—fragile diplomatic progress, military manoeuvres in European waters, and futuristic strategic projects—paints a complex picture of global power dynamics as 2025 draws to a close. The outcome of the remaining "thorny issues" in the Ukraine peace process will be closely watched by allies and adversaries alike in the coming weeks.
