As the year ends, tensions rise between top advisers to Russian President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Trump.

Trump’s special envoy pick for Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, condemned Russia’s Christmas missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, stressing the U.S. commitment to peace.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected proposals from Trump’s allies to end the war, including delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership and deploying peacekeeping forces.

Putin, ready to meet with Trump, criticized NATO membership as a major negotiation barrier, while Trump has avoided specifics on a peace deal but emphasized leveraging personal relationships with leaders, The Hill has reported.

Ukrainian President Zelensky remains optimistic about U.S.-Ukraine relations despite fears of possible concessions in future negotiations.

Written by B.C. Begley