Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a stark message Saturday: Ukraine appears in no hurry to end the conflict peacefully. Speaking to Interfax and
TASS, Putin said if Kyiv rejects talks, Russia will achieve all goals of its special military operation through military means. The comments came hours after massive Russian drone and missile barrages pounded Ukraine overnight. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fired back, calling the attacks proof of Moscow's desire to prolong the war while Kyiv seeks peace. The White House offered no immediate response to Putin's remarks. Russian commanders briefed Putin from frontline posts, reporting captures of Myrnohrad, Rodynske, and Artemivka in Donetsk, plus Huliaipole and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia. Ukraine's military countered in its update that it repelled Russian pushes near Myrnohrad and Huliaipole. Putin's words land amid active Trump Putin meet Ukraine diplomacy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov held phone talks with Trump administration members after reviewing US peace proposals.
US Proposals Spark Kremlin Review
Envoy Kirill Dmitriev carried paper copies of the US ideas back from a Miami meeting over the weekend. Peskov said the Kremlin analyzed the documents, leading to the administration-level contacts. Both sides agreed to keep dialogue open, though Peskov avoided public details to protect negotiations.
Russia's Kommersant reported Putin floated territorial swaps for areas under Russian control but demanded all of Donbas. Peskov confirmed Ukraine peace talks arose in general terms during a meeting with top businessmen but gave no specifics. The overture hints at flexibility in Trump Ukraine ceasefire Putin channels.
These developments follow Putin's inspection of command posts, where General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov and group commanders updated advances. Moscow frames gains as steady progress despite Kyiv's resistance claims. Zelenskiy-Trump contacts loom as Russia tests US peace feelers.
Nationalist pressures and battlefield realities complicate any deal. Putin envoy signals readiness for talks but ties hands to military resolve. Trump Putin Ukraine war channels heat up as drones fly and towns change hands.
Observers watch if US proposals gain traction or stall over red lines like Donbas. Peskov's caution suggests sensitive bargaining ahead. Ukraine ceasefire hopes hinge on bridging Putin's skepticism and Zelenskiy's defiance.
