Russia Reaffirms Ukraine War Goals Despite Trump’s Ceasefire Ultimatum

Russia Reaffirms Ukraine War Goals Despite Trump’s Ceasefire Ultimatum

 


MOSCOW — Russia remains open to peace talks with Ukraine but insists that achieving its strategic objectives remains paramount, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday. His remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 50-day deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire or face harsh new sanctions.

While rejecting accusations by Kyiv and Western nations of stalling negotiations, Moscow has intensified long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Analysts warn that the scale and frequency of Russian drone strikes — now exceeding monthly levels seen in 2024 — are likely to continue escalating.

President Vladimir Putin, Peskov noted, “has repeatedly expressed his intention to resolve the conflict peacefully as soon as possible. But it’s a complex and demanding process.” He added, “The key objective remains unchanged — to accomplish our goals. Those goals are clear.”

The Kremlin has maintained that any peace agreement must include Ukraine’s withdrawal from four regions illegally annexed by Russia in 2022 — areas that remain only partially under Russian control. It also demands that Ukraine abandon its NATO membership ambitions and agree to strict military limitations — terms that Kyiv and its Western partners have categorically rejected.

In his Saturday night address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government had proposed a new round of peace talks this week. While Russian state media confirmed that negotiations were likely to resume in Istanbul, no specific date has been set.

Trump’s Warning: Truce or Tariffs



On July 14, Trump hardened his stance toward Moscow after months of stalled diplomacy. He threatened to impose steep tariffs unless a ceasefire deal is reached within 50 days and announced a revitalized U.S. arms pipeline to support Ukraine’s defense.

Though details were scarce, Trump indicated that the sanctions could extend to Russia’s trading partners, aiming to deepen its economic isolation. He also said that European allies would be purchasing “billions and billions” of dollars’ worth of U.S. military equipment for Ukraine, including Patriot missile defense systems — a critical asset in the fight against Russian drone and missile strikes.

Trump’s announcement followed recent doubts about his administration’s commitment to arming Ukraine, particularly after the Pentagon briefly halted shipments due to concerns over diminishing U.S. stockpiles.

Escalating Drone Attacks

Overnight Sunday, Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 18 of 57 Russian-launched Shahed-type and decoy drones, with another seven disappearing from radar.

In southern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region — partially under Russian occupation — two women were wounded when a drone struck their home. In northeastern Kharkiv province, another drone hit a residential building, injuring two civilians, according to local officials.

Later Sunday, drones targeted a central square in Sumy, wounding a woman and her 7-year-old son. The strike also damaged power infrastructure, leaving around 100 homes without electricity, said Serhii Krivosheienko of the local military administration.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces shot down 93 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory overnight. Among them, 15 appeared to be headed toward Moscow. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 13 more drones were intercepted on approach to the capital, with one striking a residential building in Zelenograd, causing property damage but no injuries.


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