**Russia Open to Dialogue with US, But Demands First Move**
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on December 26 that his country is willing to improve relations with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, but only if the United States makes the first move in restarting dialogue.
Lavrov stated that if the signals coming from Washington are serious about restoring dialogue after Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, then Russia will respond. However, he emphasized that it is up to the Americans to make the first move.
This comes as Trump has pledged to get the US out of Russia’s war and negotiate a quick peace deal. Trump has nominated retired general Keith Kellogg as his special Ukrainian peace envoy, tasked with leading negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
**Contradictory Statements from Putin**
Russian President Vladimir Putin provided contradictory statements on December 26 about bringing the war to an end in 2025. While stating that Russia aims to end the conflict, he also expressed hopes of achieving success on the front line. This has been met with skepticism by many, including Lavrov, who lambasted the possibility of a ceasefire.
**Escalation Continues**
The situation in Ukraine continues to escalate. Ukrainian troops reportedly hit the command post of Russia’s 810th Separate Marine Brigade in the town of Lgov in Kursk Oblast overnight on December 25. North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast continue to suffer significant losses, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence.
**International Reaction**
Public willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has dropped significantly across several European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK, according to a YouGov poll reported by The Guardian on December 26.