The Kremlin stated today that Ukraine will be compelled to negotiate with Russia “sooner or later,” anticipating that Kyiv’s negotiating position will weaken with each passing day. Moscow accuses Ukrainian officials of refusing to engage in peace talks, while Kyiv maintains that Moscow’s conditions for ending the war are unacceptable and tantamount to a demand for surrender.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today that Russia remains open to a political and diplomatic settlement and desires peace. However, Russian forces are reportedly intensifying their efforts to seize the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
Yesterday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russian army had captured three towns in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine. This is seen as part of Moscow’s expanded operations aimed at controlling more Ukrainian territory.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi explained that heavy fog allowed Russian forces to infiltrate Ukrainian positions in Zaporizhzhia. He added that Ukrainian units are engaged in “fierce battles” to repel the Russian offensive. He emphasized that the most intense fighting is centered around the besieged city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine.
Fighting has also escalated recently in the cities of Kupyansk and Lyman in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine. The situation remains fluid as both sides continue to engage in heavy combat across multiple fronts.
The Kremlin’s statement suggests a continued belief in Russia’s ability to dictate the terms of any future negotiations. However, Ukraine’s resistance remains strong, and the outcome of the conflict remains uncertain.
