Hey Everyone,

As you’ll hear in this conversation with my friend the Russian journalist-in-exile and fellow substacker Mikhail Zygar, New Year’s Eve is by far the biggest holiday in Russia – a time in which “magic” can happen.

It is sorely needed.

Mikhail and I chatted at lunch time, minutes after President Trump got off the phone from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for their second long conversation in 24 hours.

Between those calls, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago and afterwards reportedly said he felt talks had gotten “90 per cent” towards a peace deal.

But just hours later Putin accused Zelensky of orchestrating a drone attack on one of his residences – which Zelensky denied. He accused Putin of making the false claim to deliberately sabotage the peace talks. Meanwhile Russia continued its march into Ukraine territory. And Putin and Trump had another long phone call.

So much for being “90 per cent” of the way towards peace.

Mikhail’s perspective on all this is, as usual, invaluable.

Watch the full conversation on Vicky Ward Investigates.