Russia has announced it will send a delegation to Istanbul on Monday for a second round of peace talks with Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow’s proposed conditions for a temporary truce are under development and will be discussed during the Turkey-based talks.
Ukraine has affirmed its commitment to dialogue, but will only send a delegation upon receiving specifics regarding Russia’s ceasefire proposal. A previous round of talks earlier this month, involving lower-level delegations, resulted in a significant prisoner exchange—the largest since the conflict began.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha indicated that Ukraine has already conveyed its “vision for future steps” to Russia, emphasizing the necessity of an “unconditional ceasefire” from Moscow to facilitate broader negotiations. “Our interest lies in the continuation of these meetings; our goal is to end this war this year,” Sybiha stated during a joint press conference with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
While Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy are not expected to participate in Monday’s talks, Fidan expressed Turkey’s hope to eventually host a high-level summit, suggesting a meeting between Presidents Putin, Zelenskyy, and Trump. Peskov clarified that Russia would only consider such a summit after substantial progress in preliminary discussions.
Peskov welcomed comments from Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, retired Gen. Keith Kellogg, who deemed Russia’s concerns regarding NATO expansion “fair.” Gen. Kellogg also stated that Ukraine’s NATO membership aspiration is currently off the table, adding that President Trump is “frustrated” by Russia’s perceived inflexibility but stressed the importance of maintaining ongoing negotiations.
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently informed Zelenskyy of Berlin’s support in aiding Ukraine’s production of long-range missiles for self-defense. The Kremlin responded that lifting range restrictions on Ukrainian missiles would constitute a dangerous policy shift detrimental to peace efforts.
Currently, Moscow controls approximately 20% of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014.
Those who unbuckle before the “fasten seatbelt” sign is turned off face a fine, aviation authority says.
A brand new statue of the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin has been unveiled at a Metro station in Moscow.
Friedrich Merz said earlier there were “no longer” any range restrictions on weapons supplied by Kyiv’s Western allies.
The BBC reports from Donetsk where swarms of fibre optic drones give Russia the edge as Ukraine defends towns behind the front line.
The advance may be linked to Moscow’s attempts to create “buffer zones” along the border, Ukrainian regional authorities say.