Russia is expressing a willingness to pursue peace with Ukraine, yet prioritizing “our goals” remains a fundamental stance, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “This is a long process,” he noted, “it requires effort, and it is not easy.”
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Peskov’s remarks follow a recent ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned Moscow to agree to a ceasefire by a specified deadline or face escalating sanctions. Despite these pressures, Russian officials, including Peskov, have consistently denied claims from Kyiv and its Western allies that they are holding back progress in negotiations.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s military actions are intensifying, with analysts reporting that the number of long-range drone attacks on Ukrainian cities has surged. In a single night, drones were launched in greater numbers than some entire months in 2024, indicating a potential escalation in hostilities.
The Kremlin’s perspective on peace is clear: any agreement must include Ukraine’s withdrawal from the four regions that Russia annexed in September 2022—a move deemed illegal and never fully realized. Additionally, the Kremlin demands that Ukraine renounce its NATO aspirations and accept strict limitations on its military capabilities, terms that Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected.
In his recent address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his officials have proposed a new round of peace talks for this week. Russian state media indicated that while the date for discussions remains unconfirmed, Istanbul is likely to serve as the hosting city.
Pursuing a firmer stance, Trump threatened Russia on July 14 with significant tariffs and outlined plans for a strengthened pipeline to supply U.S. weaponry to Ukraine, expressing frustration over the ongoing stalemate in negotiations. He suggested that severe tariffs would be enforced unless an agreement is reached within 50 days, aiming to isolate Moscow economically through targeted actions against its trading partners.
Previous negotiations in Istanbul yielded some prisoner exchanges but little else in terms of substantial agreements. Trump stated that European allies would purchase “billions and billions” worth of U.S. military equipment to help replenish Ukraine’s dwindling supplies, including a focus on Patriot air defense systems, which are critical as Ukraine faces persistent threats from Russian drones and missiles.
In the latest developments, Ukraine’s air force successfully shot down 18 of 57 Russian Shahed-type and decoy drones overnight, with an additional seven disappearing from radar. However, drone strikes resulted in injuries to civilians in various regions. In Zaporizhzhia, two women were harmed when a drone attacked their home, and similar incidents in Izium led to more civilian injuries.
Moreover, a drone assault in the center of Sumy wounded a woman and her seven-year-old son, while also damaging a power line and impacting around 100 households in the area, as reported by Serhii Krivosheienko of the municipal military administration.
On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones aimed at Russian territory overnight, including 15 reportedly directed towards Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin confirmed that one drone struck a residential building in Zelenograd, causing damage but thankfully resulting in no casualties.
As the situation evolves, the complexities of diplomatic negotiations and military actions continue to intersect, making the path to peace both challenging and crucial.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
