For today, links to seven reports: from Reuters, the Associated Press, Kyiv Post, Tass, and the Kyiv Independent; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

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Putin says Russia is ready to compromise with Trump on Ukraine war, by Vladimir Soldatkin and Andrew Osborn | Reuters  MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin said today he was ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on ending the war and had no conditions for starting talks with the Ukrainian authorities. Fielding questions . . . READ MORE . . . Click HERE, HERE and HERE for reports from AP, Kyiv Post and Tass.

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Ukraine strikes ‘only oil refinery operating’ in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, military says, by Martin Fornusek and the news desk | The Kyiv Independent   Ukraine’s Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a combined strike against the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov Oblast last night, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said today. Russian authorities said . . . READ MORE . . .

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian troops liberated two communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today in a broader statement. READ MORE . . .

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FROM DEC. 18  NATO leader says he wants to put Ukraine in a position of strength for any peace talks with Russia, by Lorne Cook | AP  BRUSSELS — NATO’s secretary-general said he wants to discuss ways to put Ukraine in a position of strength for any future peace talks with Russia during a meeting Wednesday with Ukraine’s president and a small number of European leaders. READ MORE . . .