{"id":194988,"date":"2025-12-29T16:32:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/ukraine-war-latest-cracks-emerge-after-trumps-limited-security-offer-in-peace-deal-the-independent\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T16:32:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:32:24","slug":"ukraine-war-latest-cracks-emerge-after-trumps-limited-security-offer-in-peace-deal-the-independent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/ukraine-war-latest-cracks-emerge-after-trumps-limited-security-offer-in-peace-deal-the-independent\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine war latest: Cracks emerge after Trump\u2019s limited security offer in peace deal – The Independent"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Kyiv hit back at claim that Putin\u2019s Valdai residence was targeted by 91 drones
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President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphatically denied Russian claims that Ukraine attacked Vladimir Putin\u2019s residence, saying it was a deliberate lie to hamper progress in peace talks with Donald Trump.
Russia\u2019s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused Kyiv of launching 91 drones at the Russian president\u2019s Valdai residence in the Novgorod region and said Moscow would change its negotiating position as a result.
But Zelensky hit back immediately after the claim was published, saying it was a \u201clie\u201d.
Meanwhile, cracks were beginning to show in Trump\u2019s drive to end the war in Ukraine <\/a>as Zelensky revealed he had been offered just 15 years of security guarantees from the US.
Kyiv had gone into high-stakes talks in Florida on Sunday<\/a> asking for 50 years of assurances to deter future Russian aggression.
\u201cI told him that we are already at war, and it has been for almost 15 years. Therefore, I really wanted the guarantees to be longer,\u201d Zelensky told reporters on Monday. \u201cI told him that we would really like to consider the possibility of 30, 40, 50 years.\u201d
The White House has shared that Trump has just concluded a \u2018positive\u2019 call with Vladimir Putin by phone on Ukraine.
Zelensky has just denied emerging reports of a Ukrainian assault on Putin\u2019s Novgorod residence as \u201clies\u201d.
He said Russia was deliberately trying to undermine progress in talks with the US, and claimed it was preparing to strike government buildings in Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had accused Ukraine of trying to attack Putin\u2019s residence, explaining that Moscow\u2019s negotiating position would change as a result.
Editorial<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> As Trump talks peace deals and Putin digs in, Zelensky is playing a subtler game.
His proposal for a referendum on Ukraine\u2019s borders could reshape the negotiations \u2013 and expose who is really serious about ending the war:
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky shared his assessment of where peace talks were left with reporters via WhatsApp on Monday:
On security guarantees<\/strong>
Zelensky said Sunday \u201cconfirmed\u201d Ukraine would have \u201cstrong\u201d security guarantees from the US, after weeks trying to secure a concrete assurance.
He said the terms set out in draft were for 15 years with possibility of extension.
Zelensky said he was pushing for 30-50 years, given that Ukraine had been at war for almost 15 years already.
On foreign troops<\/strong>
Zelensky reiterated that foreign troops in Ukraine would be a \u201creal security guarantee\u201d.
\u201dIt is a strengthening of the security guarantees that our partners are already offering us,\u201d he said.
Referendum on peace?<\/strong>
Zelensky also indicated on Monday that peace talks would need the consent of the Ukrainian people via referendum, contingent upon a 60-day ceasefire that Russia \u201cdoes not want to give us\u201d.
Future talks<\/strong>
Zelensky confirmed that European leaders would meet in January to discuss next steps. He wants a meeting with the US and European allies in the coming days.
Vladimir Putin has told his generals to carry on with their operations to capture the city of Zaporizhzhia, it emerged this afternoon.
The occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, is one of the main sticking points in Trump\u2019s plan to end the war.
Almost all countries say it belongs to Ukraine, but Moscow says it is owned by Russia.
The US previously suggested a joint trilateral operation with an American chief manager, Zelensky said.
A Ukrainian proposal envisages Ukrainian-American use of the plant, with the US itself determining how to use 50% of the energy produced.
But Russia has reportedly considered joint Russian-US use of the plant.
Germany welcomed Trump\u2019s efforts to secure a peace deal on Monday but insists Russia must be involved, too, to end the war.
A spokesperson for the government said no peace was possible without Russian involvement, while noting a discrepancy between Russia’s public statements and its actions on the ground.
The Kremlin yesterday dismissed talk of a ceasefire, suggesting it would prolong the conflict.
One of Ukraine\u2019s most decorated soldiers has said he often intercepts Russian transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given.
Combat observers say evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has grown in recent months. Moscow<\/a> has intensified its attacks on Ukraine even as peace talks<\/a> continue between the US and European and Russian leaders.
Read the full story:<\/em>
– Trump said that Ukraine and the US have almost entirely agreed on security guarantees, though details remain scarce. Zelensky said they were in 100 per cent agreement, however.
– Zelensky still insists that foreign troops in Ukraine would be a real security guarantee. The Kremlin has consistently opposed such a move.
– Territory remains unresolved, Trump acknowledged. Zelensky said control over the eastern Donbas region was still an issue.
– The status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is another issue still under discussion. Trump previously suggested sharing its output.
Zelensky said today that the 20-point proposal under discussion should be put to a referendum.
One of our top stories overnight revealed that a Russian submarine was deployed alongside a spy ship to map critical undersea infrastructure<\/a> around Britain.
The Ministry of Defence said a submarine had shadowed the Yantar <\/em>as it reportedly surveyed the gas pipeline<\/a> linking Britain and Ireland.
Last month it emerged that the Yantar<\/em> had pointed lasers at pilots of surveillance aircraft <\/a>monitoring its activities in a \u201cdeeply dangerous\u201d move.
Read the full story:<\/em><\/a>
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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