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Russia Signals Openness to Peace Amid Escalating Drone Attacks and U.S. Ceasefire Deadline
Russia signals openness to peace talks with Ukraine but insists on achieving its strategic goals, as drone attacks escalate and a U.S. ceasefire deadline looms.
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The Kremlin signaled on Sunday that Russia remains open to peace with Ukraine, but emphasized that achieving its strategic goals remains a priority, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire or face severe new sanctions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in an interview with state television, reaffirmed that President Vladimir Putin wants a peaceful resolution but under conditions that remain unacceptable to Kyiv and its Western allies. “The main thing for us is to achieve our goals,” Peskov said. “Our goals are clear.”
Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the four regions it illegally annexed in September 2022, abandon its pursuit of NATO membership, and agree to significant limitations on its armed forces. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Saturday that Ukrainian officials have proposed a new round of peace negotiations, with Istanbul expected to remain the venue. Russian state media reported that no date for the talks has been set.
President Trump, frustrated by previous failed negotiations, threatened Russia on July 14 with harsh economic measures, including steep tariffs on Russia’s trading partners and new military aid for Ukraine. Trump also announced plans for European allies to purchase “billions and billions” of dollars in U.S. military equipment, including Patriot air defense systems, which are critically needed by Ukraine to counter ongoing missile and drone attacks.
Drone warfare intensified over the weekend as Ukraine’s air force reported it had shot down 18 of 57 drones launched by Russia overnight into Sunday. Seven additional drones disappeared from radar. In Zaporizhzhia, a drone strike wounded two women and damaged a residential building. In Kharkiv, two more civilians were injured in another drone strike. Later Sunday, in Sumy, a drone strike wounded a woman and her 7-year-old son and caused power outages affecting around 100 households.
On the Russian side, Moscow’s Defense Ministry said its forces intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory overnight. At least 15 were directed toward Moscow, with 13 shot down before reaching the city. One drone struck an apartment in Zelenograd, on Moscow’s outskirts, damaging property but causing no casualties, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
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Despite the stated willingness for peace, both sides continued heavy drone attacks, indicating that prospects for an immediate ceasefire remain uncertain even amid increased international pressure.
