International News: Russia on Sunday said it is open to peace talks with Ukraine but made it clear that fulfilling its own goals will remain its top priority. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that he wants to end the conflict through peaceful negotiations as soon as possible. However, this is a long and difficult process that demands serious efforts.” He emphasized, “What matters most to us is achieving our objectives. These goals are well-defined.”
Trump’s Warning and Russia’s Conditions for Peace
This statement came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire, warning of harsh sanctions if it fails to do so. The Kremlin has made its peace terms clear. Russia demands that Ukraine must withdraw from the four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—which Russia claimed to have annexed in September 2022, despite never gaining full control over them.
NATO Membership and Military Limits Unacceptable to Russia
Russia has also insisted that Ukraine should abandon its efforts to join the NATO alliance and accept the restrictions that Russia wants to place on its military capabilities. However, Ukraine and its Western allies have strongly rejected these demands, stating that any such conditions are unacceptable and violate Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Continued Russian Attacks Despite Peace Claims
Even as Russia talks about peace, its military continues to launch large-scale attacks on Ukrainian territory. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that it had carried out major strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial facilities. These attacks reportedly used high-precision missiles launched from air, land, and sea platforms, as well as unmanned drones. According to the ministry, all the intended targets were successfully destroyed.
Drone Attacks Over Russian Territory
Meanwhile, Russia claimed that it shot down a large number of drones overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry, along with the mayor of Moscow, reported that a total of 142 drones were intercepted, with 27 of them shot down specifically over the Moscow region. These drones were reportedly brought down across several parts of western Russia and even over the Black Sea.
Peace Talks Uncertain Amid Ongoing Conflict
While Russia has again said it is ready for talks, the strict conditions it demands and the continued military strikes on Ukraine make peace unlikely in the near future. As both sides remain firm on their positions and the war drags on, the chances of a diplomatic solution continue to fade.
