Russia on Tuesday downplayed expectations of any rapid breakthrough in ongoing peace talks with Ukraine, just a day after rejecting Kyiv’s call for an unconditional ceasefire during negotiations held in Istanbul.
The short meeting – lasting under two hours – resulted in a mutual exchange of prisoner lists and peace proposal documents. However, the gap between the two sides remains significant.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “The settlement issue is extremely complex and involves many nuances. It would be wrong to expect immediate solutions or breakthroughs.”
According to documents released by Russian state media, Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from four regions claimed by Russia as a precondition to halting its military campaign. In contrast, Ukraine continues to call for a full, unconditional ceasefire.
Russia instead offered a limited ceasefire lasting two to three days in specific frontline areas, according to its chief negotiator.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga criticized Moscow’s approach, accusing Russia of offering “old ultimatums that do not move the situation any closer to true peace” and rejecting meaningful ceasefire formats.
Peskov also dismissed the idea of a summit involving the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, saying such a meeting would be unlikely unless negotiators reach a formal agreement. This comes despite U.S. President Donald Trump expressing openness to such a summit, a stance supported by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Civilian Attacks and Rising Tensions
Ukrainian President Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians in a missile strike on the city of Sumy, near the Russian border. The attack killed four people and injured 20 others, including a seven-year-old girl reported to be in critical condition.
“This attack says everything about Russia’s so-called ‘desire’ to end this war,” Zelensky said, urging stronger Western sanctions and military support.
In a separate incident, three people were killed in a rocket strike in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, Russia claimed its forces captured the village of Andriivka in the Sumy region, just five kilometers from its border. Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing an offensive involving around 50,000 troops in the area.
Ukraine Strikes Back
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency claimed responsibility for a recent underwater attack on a support structure of the Crimean Bridge, linking annexed Crimea to mainland Russia. The extent of damage remains unclear, though the bridge was temporarily closed.
Amid the escalating conflict, a Ukrainian delegation arrived in Washington to discuss defense and economic aid, including potential new sanctions on Moscow.
Former U.S. President Trump, who has loVg said he could end the war quickly if reelected, has thus far held off on introducing new penalties against Russia, despite mounting criticism.
