Russia is willing to consider peace with Ukraine, but meeting “our goals” remains the main objective, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said, just days after US President Donald Trump issued a deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire or face heightened sanctions, reports Breaking News.
Mr Peskov, along with other Russian representatives, has consistently denied claims from Kyiv and its Western allies that Moscow is intentionally delaying peace negotiations.
“The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,” reports Breaking News.
The Kremlin maintains that any peace settlement must include Ukraine pulling out of the four regions Russia illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully controlled. It is also demanding that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions and agree to strict military limitations—conditions Kyiv and its allies firmly oppose.
In his nightly video address on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his administration had proposed restarting peace talks this week, reports Breaking News.
Russian state media reported on Sunday that no specific date for talks had been arranged yet, though Istanbul is expected to remain the venue.
Mr Trump, on July 14, warned Russia of heavy tariffs and unveiled plans for renewed US weapons shipments to Ukraine, marking a tougher approach after extended diplomatic efforts to end the conflict proved unsuccessful, reports Breaking News.
The direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul have led to several prisoner swaps, but little meaningful progress beyond that.
Mr Trump said “severe tariffs” would be introduced if no peace deal is reached within 50 days. While he gave few details about their application, he indicated they would be aimed at Russia’s trading partners to further isolate the country economically, reports Breaking News.
Additionally, Mr Trump announced that European allies would purchase “billions and billions” of dollars in American military gear for Ukraine, boosting its supply of weapons. Among the items are Patriot missile defence systems—high on Ukraine’s list as it continues to counter Russian aerial attacks.
Recently, doubts surfaced about Mr Trump’s resolve to aid Ukraine after the Pentagon temporarily paused arms shipments due to concerns over low US reserves, reports Breaking News.
Elsewhere, Ukraine’s air force reported it had intercepted 18 out of 57 Shahed-type and decoy drones launched by Russia into Ukrainian territory overnight into Sunday, with seven others vanishing from radar.
Two women were hurt in Zaporizhzhia, a southern Ukrainian area partly under Russian control, after a drone hit their home, according to the regional military authorities, reports Breaking News.
Another two civilians were wounded in Izium, located in north-eastern Ukraine, after a drone impacted a residential structure, local officials said.
Later that day, drones struck a tree-lined square in the centre of Sumy, injuring a woman and her seven-year-old child, according to authorities, reports Breaking News.
The attack also damaged a power line, cutting electricity to about 100 homes, said Serhii Krivosheienko of the city’s military administration.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry said its military had destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones overnight that were aimed at Russian territory, including at least 15 believed to be heading for Moscow, reports Breaking News.
At least 13 additional drones were shot down as they neared the capital on Sunday, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
He stated that one drone struck a residential building in Zelenograd, on Moscow’s outskirts, damaging an apartment but causing no injuries, reports Breaking News.
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