Kremlin Holds Firm on Ukraine Goals Amid New Peace Talk Proposals and Escalating Drone War
Kremlin Holds Firm on Ukraine Goals Amid New Peace Talk Proposals and Escalating Drone War
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Sunday that Russia is open to peace with Ukraine, but only after achieving its strategic goals. This declaration comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump set a 50-day deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire or face severe new sanctions.
Peskov emphasized President Vladimir Putin’s desire for a swift, peaceful resolution, stating, “The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear.” Moscow’s demands include Ukraine’s withdrawal from four illegally annexed regions, renouncing NATO membership bids, and accepting strict limits on its armed forces—terms consistently rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that his officials have proposed a new round of peace talks this week, with Russian state media reporting Sunday that Istanbul remains the likely host city, though no date is set. Previous direct negotiations in Istanbul led primarily to prisoner exchanges.
The diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of intensified hostilities. Overnight into Sunday, Ukraine reported shooting down 18 out of 57 Russian drones, with strikes wounding civilians in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. Later on Sunday, a drone attack in Sumy injured a woman and her child and caused a power outage. Conversely, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed shooting down 93 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory overnight, including over 15 aimed at Moscow, with Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirming more were downed Sunday, one damaging an apartment in Zelenograd without casualties.
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