December 16, 2025 – Russia Headlines

Story gist: Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated he discussed the Ukraine conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.

Bias summary: No left-leaning outlets in cluster; their perspective absent. Center (Interfax) frames neutrally with factual headline matching Trump’s claim of discussions. Right (EADaily) reframes as ‘Zelenskyy wants to meet Trump,’ emphasizing Ukrainian initiative over Trump’s statement, potentially highlighting Zelenskyy’s eagerness or dependency.

Story gist: Ukraine’s SBU claimed to have blown up a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk port. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied the destruction, stating the sabotage attempt did not achieve its goals.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza emphasizes SBU’s success claim of detonating the submarine, then notes Russia’s partial admission of failed sabotage. Center BBC balances Ukraine’s drone strike on ‘Warsawianka’ submarine with Russia’s acknowledgment of attack but no damage. Right-leaning outlets absent, lacking pro-Russian denial emphasis.

Story gist: Washington stated Ukraine must make territorial decisions for a settlement with Russia. Zelenskyy reported differing positions on territories after US talks in Berlin.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Meduza emphasizes Zelenskyy’s quote on differing territorial positions, framing as neutral negotiation gap. Center BBC highlights US figures Witkoff and Kushner discussing security guarantees while noting unresolved territories, adding procedural detail. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting potential emphasis on US pressure for Ukrainian concessions.

Story gist: The Bank of Russia lowered the official US dollar exchange rate for Tuesday, December 14. It also set rates for the euro and yuan.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting those perspectives entirely. Center outlet Banki.ru framed the event as ‘weakening continues’ for the dollar, euro, and yuan, emphasizing trend continuity and listing rates in a neutral financial tone without political spin.

Story gist: Russian stock market trades amid uncertainty, with select stocks leading. BCS Express publishes three trading ideas for the week ahead, described as challenging.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting partisan economic perspectives. Center outlet BCS Express frames the story neutrally with actionable trading ideas, emphasizing caution via ‘heavy week ahead’ phrasing and focus on market leaders during uncertainty. Right and left absences leave analysis without ideological market interpretations.