Moscow, July 20: Russia expressed willingness to pursue peace with Ukraine but emphasized that achieving its strategic goals remains a priority, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday. This came days after US President Donald Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face tougher sanctions.
Peskov and other Russian officials repeatedly denied accusations from Kyiv and Western allies of stalling peace talks. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, recently launching more drones in one night than it did in some entire months earlier in 2024. Analysts warn these attacks are likely to escalate further.
President Vladimir Putin has spoken about wanting a peaceful resolution, but Peskov said the process is long and complex. Moscow insists any peace deal must include Ukraine withdrawing from four Russian-annexed regions captured in September 2022, although Russia never fully controlled these areas. Russia also demands Ukraine abandon its NATO aspirations and accept strict military limits, which Kyiv and its Western partners reject.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said officials have proposed a new round of peace talks this week, with Istanbul expected to remain the venue, though no date has been set. Previous talks in Istanbul resulted mainly in prisoner exchanges, with little progress on broader peace efforts.
Trump’s 50-day deadline came with threats of steep tariffs aimed at isolating Russia economically by targeting its trading partners. He also announced plans to increase US military aid to Ukraine, including delivery of Patriot air defense systems, critical for countering Russian drone and missile attacks. However, recent Pentagon concerns about low US stockpiles led to a temporary pause in shipments, raising doubts about sustained support.
Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 18 of 57 drones launched overnight by Russia, including Shahed-type and decoy drones. Some drones vanished from radar, while others struck civilian areas. In Zaporizhzhia, a drone hit a house injuring two women, and in Izium, a drone struck a residential building, injuring two civilians.
The ongoing drone attacks and Russia’s firm demands highlight the difficulties of reaching a lasting peace. Despite Moscow’s stated desire for resolution, the continued military pressure and stalled negotiations suggest the conflict is likely to persist for some time. (AP)
