MOSCOW, December 27. /TASS/. Russia has expressed readiness to supply gas to the EU, Moscow is open to negotiations with Trump on the Ukraine conflict, and the Syrian opposition recently engaged in talks with Russian representatives in Ankara and Doha. These stories topped the headlines in Friday’s newspapers across Russia.
Media: Putin discusses Russian gas supplies to Europe in 2025
Russia supports the depoliticization of economic issues and is ready to supply gas to the EU; however, the Kiev regime is halting transit, effectively "biting Europe’s hand," as fuel prices there will inevitably rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on December 26 following a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.
Meanwhile, Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico discussed options to ensure the continued supply of Russian gas to interested European countries. Slovakia is one of the EU countries still purchasing fuel from Russia. However, the supplies transit through Ukraine, and the gas transit contract is set to expire on December 31. Kiev has refused to renew it.
"It was important for Fico to show that he reached an agreement with Russia to relocate the turnover point. Russia agreed to sign a supplementary agreement to the Gazprom contract. This ensures that gas destined for Slovakia will transit through Ukrainian territory because earlier Ukraine repeatedly stated that it didn’t want to sign any contracts directly with Gazprom or renew the existing one. They have, however, expressed readiness to discuss preserving transit with Europeans. Now, Fico wants to show that all parties are ready: Europe is ready to move the turnover point, Russia is ready, but Zelensky is being stubborn and creating an energy crisis across Europe," Igor Yushkov, a leading analyst at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia.
Valery Andrianov, an associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Rossiyskaya Gazeta that business circles are likely to initiate talks on resuming transit. Gas companies from Central Europe have already taken the first steps by signing a declaration supporting gas transit via Ukraine for 2025. Overall, halting supplies via Ukraine will unlikely cause a substantial gas deficit in Europe, as this has already been factored into gas prices, so it won’t be a surprise for the gas market. However, any interruption in supplies will increase the instability of the European gas market, making it more dependent on various external and largely uncontrollable factors, such as gas prices in Asia, the delivery destinations of American LNG, or production dynamics on the Norwegian shelf, the expert pointed out.
Vedomosti: Russia open to discussions with Trump on Ukraine
Russia does not rule out engaging in dialogue with Donald Trump’s potential future administration regarding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, but any negotiations must address Moscow’s concerns, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a press conference on December 26. "We are always ready for consultations <...>: [we] are open to talks, provided they address the root causes and principles outlined by President Putin in June," Lavrov said.
During that statement, the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Russia’s four newly incorporated regions was among Moscow’s demands.
Paris appears determined to maintain its and the EU’s positions in the "high-stakes geopolitical game" surrounding Ukraine, said Pavel Timofeyev, head of the Section for Regional Issues and Conflicts at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO RAS).
While France initially sought to mediate the conflict in 2022, its stance gradually shifted to a more "hawkish" position towards Russia. Now, with Trump potentially returning to power—a figure who has publicly questioned continued US aid to Ukraine—European powers, particularly France, are recalibrating their strategies. According to Timofeyev, both Paris and Brussels are wary of being sidelined in possible Russia-US negotiations. Consequently, France is cautiously exploring a "slight rapprochement with Russia" and renewing dialogue on unresolved issues that might bypass Ukraine’s direct involvement, Timofeyev concluded.
Lavrov also offered measured criticism of Keith Kellogg, Trump’s nominee for special envoy to Ukraine, particularly for Kellogg’s characterization of the Minsk Accords as a failed "attempt" to settle the conflict.
Kellogg has repeatedly affirmed the US’ intention to address the Ukraine conflict under Trump’s leadership. He co-authored the so-called "plan for Ukraine," which was reportedly presented to Trump in June 2024, according to Reuters. Under this plan, US aid to Kiev would be conditional upon Ukraine’s agreement to enter negotiations. The plan further stipulates that the terms of a ceasefire would be determined based on the military situation at the time of talks.
However, Kellogg’s proposal is not seen as a viable starting point for negotiations, said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Politics magazine. Lukyanov suggested that Trump, Kellogg, and their European allies, such as Hungarian premier Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, think that it is necessary to conclude an armistice first and only then discuss the terms of a peace treaty. As a result, the conflict is likely to continue alongside attempts to reach a truce. "Combat operations persist until a peace treaty is finalized—not until a ceasefire," the expert emphasized.
Izvestia: Syrian opposition reveals talks with Russian officials
Prominent members of the Syrian opposition have reportedly engaged in dialogue with Russian officials in Ankara and Doha following recent developments in Damascus, according to Anas al-Abdah, a representative of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, who spoke to Izvestia.
During the discussions, both parties explored proposals for Syria’s future governance structure. Al-Abdah emphasized that the presence of Russian military bases in Syria would depend on a bilateral agreement between the two countries. He also highlighted the importance of building constructive relations based on mutual interests shared by the Syrian and Russian populations.
To date, the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, banned in Russia) has refrained from demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces.
"The measured stance adopted by Syria’s new leadership toward Russian military assets aligns with their broader strategy of gaining legitimacy in the eyes of both regional actors and the global community," commented Grigory Lukyanov, a senior researcher at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies at the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, in a statement to Izvestia.
HTS has continued to portray itself as a peaceful entity, actively seeking international recognition for its governing structures in territories where its influence predominates, the expert noted.
"Russian military installations on Syrian soil pose no immediate obstacle to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s political objectives. On the contrary, these facilities are being used to facilitate the withdrawal of military hardware and personnel from other Russian bases in the region," Lukyanov explained.
He further stated that Russian military bases have not become rallying points for Alawite factions or remnants of the former Syrian Arab Army, groups widely considered adversaries of HTS.
Izvestia: Moscow, Tehran to formalize strategic partnership with new treaty
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to travel to Moscow on January 17 to finalize a landmark agreement establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, a senior Iranian government source revealed to Izvestia. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has neither confirmed nor denied this information, stating that the Kremlin will announce the visit at the appropriate time. A Russian diplomatic insider corroborated that the visit is planned for mid-January, a timeline later verified by the Iranian Embassy in Moscow. Experts emphasized that despite Iran’s recent leadership transition, Moscow continues to hold a central position in Tehran’s foreign policy. Earlier speculation suggested that Pezeshkian’s reformist government might avoid formalizing the treaty, which was initially developed under the administration of conservative Ebrahim Raisi.
"The strategic partnership treaty significantly elevates Russian-Iranian relations. By endorsing this agreement, both nations underscore their mutual importance and their commitment to strengthening cooperation across diverse fields, including critical areas like cybersecurity and advanced military technologies," Middle East analyst Leonid Tsukanov told Izvestia.
The two nations share numerous avenues for collaboration, ranging from enhancing their trade, economic, and political alliances to reimagining the global security framework in response to shifting international dynamics.
"Joint efforts to counteract sanctions, resist external political pressure, combat neo-colonialist policies, and advance technological sovereignty are pivotal aspects of this partnership," noted Farhad Ibragimov, a professor at the Faculty of Economics at the People’s Friendship University of Russia, in an interview with Izvestia.
Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Military conflict exacerbates Ukraine’s demographic crisis
In Ukraine, there are 286 deaths for every 100 births, while the population in areas controlled by the Kiev regime is estimated at 28-29 million people, compared to 52 million in 1991, Deputy Director of the Institute of Demography and Quality of Life Problems Alexander Gladun stated. It is likely that Ukraine's actual population is significantly lower, as the ongoing military conflict has accelerated depopulation trends, experts highlight. However, the Kiev regime appears more inclined to escalate hostilities rather than pursue negotiations.
Ella Libanova, Director of the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies, recently emphasized that each additional month of warfare compounds Ukraine’s demographic losses. She noted that millions of people who fled the country are unlikely to return.
Alexey Pozniak, senior researcher at the Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies, pointed out that current data indicates approximately 7.7 million Ukrainian citizens are living abroad, with 5.3 million residing in the EU. These numbers represent a severe blow to Ukraine’s demographic stability, as well as to its labor force and economic viability, he explained.
Polls show that many of those who have left Ukraine do not intend to come back, sociologist Yevgeny Kopatko told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. He further noted that the country’s demographic situation has been deteriorating since the 1990s. Even then, Ukraine was among the leading Slavic nations affected by depopulation, alongside Bulgaria. The migration of Ukrainian citizens increased after the second Maidan, partially due to a lack of prospects for a better life within the country.
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