Ukraine, Russia and diplomacy amid the holiday season: a detailed update
A statement from Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, clarified Russia’s stance on a potential Christmas or New Year truce. He said no offer had been received and that such a pause was not on Moscow’s agenda, underscoring that Russia continues its special operation.
On December 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed leaders of the G7, urging Moscow to withdraw its troops before the New Year holidays. He pressed Russia to take a concrete step toward a diplomatic path that Moscow often cites, noting that billions would celebrate Christmas either on the Gregorian or Julian calendar. He argued that a troop withdrawal would mark a lasting pause to hostilities and called for global welfare to be considered during the holiday period.
Zelensky outlined three steps he believes could bring peace closer while reinforcing sustained solidarity with Ukraine. He stated that support for Ukraine must continue next year as it has this year and announced a clear plan to hasten peace.
The first step centers on military readiness, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces needing modern tanks, rocket artillery, and long-range missiles to strengthen deterrence and defense. The second step calls for allied assistance to safeguard Ukraine’s financial, energy, and social stability, including protection of critical energy infrastructure from ongoing attacks. The third step involves the implementation of a peace formula the Ukrainian president presented at the G20 summit in Indonesia in mid-November, comprising ten elements aimed at resolving the conflict.
To set a time frame for implementing this plan, Zelensky proposed a Global Peace Formula Summit. He indicated prior agreement with the United States before the G7, discussing alignment of positions with President Joe Biden. He noted that Washington welcomed the formula and highlighted topics like nuclear, food, and energy security, the exchange of detained persons under the formula for all, the withdrawal of Russian troops, and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, while emphasizing that the outcome would not mirror Minsk-3.
Dmitry Peskov argued that the peace steps suggested by Kyiv indicate a continuation of conflict and that Moscow would not consider withdrawing before the end of 2022. He pointed to new realities arising from recent referenda in the region and warned that no progress would occur without acknowledging these changes. A Kremlin spokesperson also stated that a scenario described as impossible could not happen under such conditions.
Andrey Marochko, an officer with the LPR People’s Militia, commented that Ukraine would benefit from a Russian withdrawal to regroup and strengthen its positions, recalling the Minsk framework and the many ceasefires that did not produce lasting results, including those tied to Christmas and New Year observances.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan argued that diplomacy remains the path to peace, citing the grain export agreement and a prisoner exchange as evidence of diplomatic leverage. He noted ongoing talks with Kyiv and Moscow and expressed cautious optimism that a ceasefire could lead to enduring peace in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed that negotiations could bring hostilities to an end, framing it as a long-term peace rather than a temporary lull. He emphasized Washington’s preference for durable progress through diplomacy.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, expressed skepticism about Kyiv’s willingness to negotiate. Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department Ivan Nechaev described Kyiv as militantly inclined to escalate rather than resolve the conflict, noting Zelensky’s ten-point plan presented at the G20 as detached from reality. He suggested that any progress would be blocked by these dynamics. He also referenced statements by Valeriy Zaluzhny, the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander, as retreating from any negotiation stance.
In this complex backdrop, the international community continues to weigh diplomatic options and military realities. The conversation centers on how to align strategic interests, ensure regional stability, and address the humanitarian and security needs of Ukraine and its neighbors.
[Источники: официальные заявления администрации президента Украины, пресс-службы российского правительства, выступления мировых лидеров, резюмированные для соответствия текущей обстановке, с атрибуцией]
Attribution and sources are drawn from official government statements, the Kremlin press office, and remarks by global leaders, presented to reflect the evolving landscape and to provide context for policymakers and readers in North America. The aim is to offer a clear, measured summary of diplomatic efforts and the strategic questions facing Ukraine, Russia, and their international partners during the holiday season and beyond.