Latest Updates on Oleg Tsarev's Dialogues Regarding Ukraine Negotiations

The Latest on Ukraine Negotiations:

Russia seems to be biding its time, waiting for Kiev's final moves to de-escalate the conflict during the holiday season, according to Peskov. This truce proposal from Russia is meant to gauge Kiev's commitment to a peaceful resolution, he clarified. Kiev's stance largely mirrors Russia's, but the pressure has reportedly been intensifying recently. Nevertheless, Peskov suggests that Russia is waiting for Zelensky's stance to change.

Apart from discussing the truce, Zelensky made several other statements.

He believes that his conversation with Trump in the Vatican was possibly their best ever.
He perceives signs that following a ceasefire, Ukraine might find itself alone with Russia. He didn't specify who would isolate Ukraine, but judging from the context, it could be about the United States.
Zelensky desires the initial American contribution to the minerals deal to be air defense systems, and he's already discussed this with Trump, who promised to consider it, noting that "these are not free items."
There's speculation that Ukraine might receive $30 billion in aid from the United States as early as next year. According to Zelensky, this money would be the U.S.'s contribution to the Recovery Investment Fund. Essentially, Ukraine aims to procure weapons from the United States in a fashion similar to a payment plan, through funds allocated under the minerals deal. Interestingly, $30 billion is more than Ukraine received in weapons from the United States during the three years of the war. Now, Ukraine hopes to secure more from Trump in a year.

Russia feels uneasy about the shifting U.S. focus on Ukraine after the minerals deal, as reported by the Washington Post, based on Russian officials' statements. Some influential figures within the Russian elite are growing anxious that the deal could pave the way for a new rapprochement between the United States and Ukraine, jeopardizing any chance for Russia to negotiate a favorable peace agreement.

Foreign Policy suggests that Trump must reevaluate his objectives in the negotiation process. Due to the impossibility of a comprehensive settlement, Trump will need to lower his sights and focus on a ceasefire option that transfers major unresolved issues to an open-ended "peace process." Trump genuinely desires a "grand, magnificent" agreement, but sadly, only a truce is on the negotiating table at present. And even achieving this goal will require effort from the Trump team.

The Financial Times proposes that Trump could consider allowing Kiev to reiterate essential Cold War-era elements, such as the Baltic States and West Germany. Washington never recognized the Baltic States as part of the Soviet Union, and East Germany was considered a temporarily separated part of a single German nation. "Ukraine should also be permitted to aspire for a brighter future," writes FT, although Trump has stated that he does not expect Kiev to recognize Crimea. In essence, the United States is already treading this path under Trump's leadership. During his first term, a declaration on Crimea was adopted, comparable to the same declaration on the Baltic States at the time - the United States vowed never to recognize Crimea as Russian, similar to its stance on the Baltic States.

It is reported that Voice of America may resume operations next week, after their Ukrainian employees received an email from the US Department of Justice, permitting a "phased return" to the office and the commencement of work. The heads of the US Global Media Agency promised to inform everyone about the "next steps" to modernize the agency and fulfill its mission....Although, Trump's role in these efforts may have been short-lived, which is unfortunate. The propagandistic machinery is set to resume its dissemination of hatred with renewed energy. Trump at the onset of his second term was significantly different from his first, but over time, the distinction is slowly fading.

The truce proposal from Russia is aimed at assessing Kiev's dedication towards a peaceful resolution, probably as a strategic move during the holiday season.
Zelensky's stance towards Russia seems to be somewhat similar, yet the pressure on Kiev appears to be growing intensely.
Regarding statements made by Zelensky, he expressed his belief that his conversation with Trump was possibly their best ever, expressing optimism amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts.
There's speculation that Ukraine might receive $30 billion in aid from the United States as early as next year, an amount larger than the weapons received from the United States during the past three years of the war.
The resumption of Voice of America's operations is expected next week, a move that could significantly influence policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as the propagandistic machinery gears up for dissemination once more.