US President Donald Trump has described his latest talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “good and productive,” revealing that he urged the Russian leader to spare the lives of thousands of “surrounded” Ukrainian troops.
Following the discussions, the Kremlin acknowledged there was “cautious optimism” about a potential ceasefire with Ukraine but insisted that “a lot remains to be done” before an agreement can be reached. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasised that Putin still required further clarification regarding how a U.S.-brokered truce would function, stating that the Russian leader had posed several critical questions that remain unanswered.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Putin’s response, calling it “manipulative” and questioning Russia’s sincerity in ceasefire negotiations. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Moscow of using peace talks as a stalling tactic while continuing military operations.
Meanwhile, Russia says it is continuing efforts to reclaim areas of its Kursk region, which Ukraine invaded last year. The ongoing conflict saw fresh drone attacks reported overnight in both Russia and Ukraine. Several people were injured in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, while an oil facility in southern Russia was also struck.
As tensions persist, international observers remain skeptical about the prospects of a ceasefire, with both sides continuing to suffer losses on the battlefield despite diplomatic efforts.
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