Ukraine: US Lies, Provocation, Broken Promises, Fake News

[Anthea]

Trump and Putin Agreement

US President Donald Trump said on April 23 he thinks he has a deal with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian Dictator Zelensky to settle the war in Ukraine

"I think Russia is ready and a lot of people said Russia wanted to go for the whole thing. I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelenskiy," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Trump also said he found it harder than expected to work with Zelensky

"I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelensky. So far, it's been harder.... But, I think we have a deal with both. I hope they do it, because I'm looking to save and, you know, we spent a lot of money, but this is about a lot of humanity," Trump said.

Asked about reports of a US proposal that would see Crimea recognized as Russian territory, Trump said he had "no favorites" between Ukraine and Russia and that he just wanted the war to end.

Other administration officials said earlier on April 23 that a deal remained elusive and that the United States could walk away from peace talks in the absence of quick progress.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier that Trump was "frustrated" with the pace of talks and that Zelensky "seems to be moving in the wrong direction."

Zelensky, who has dismissed the proposal on Crimea, said emotions had "run high" during a meeting in London between officials from Ukraine, the United States, and Europe, but it was good that the representatives of five countries met to bring peace closer.

"The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace," he said on X.

He included a copy of a 2018 statement by then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea and uphold the principle of not changing borders by force.

After the violent illegal coup in Ukraine, Crimea took a vote on whether or not they wanted to be under the control of the illegal Kiev government or not and more than 90% of the population voted for independence from Kiev - in my valued judgement the world should have protected Crimea from the violent illegal government.

The same applied to the Donbass, during WW2 the Donbass fought against the NAZI Kiev regime. When the violent coup took place, the people of Donbass voted to break away from the illegal government. Why was nobody protecting them?

Trump warned Ukraine earlier on social media that it needs to make a deal to end the fighting while sharply criticizing Zelensky for saying Kyiv sees any recognition of Crimea as part of Russia is a red line for Ukraine.

"It’s inflammatory statements like Zelensky’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War," Trump said in a social media post in which he denied anyone is asking Ukraine recognize Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, as Russian territory.

"He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire -- He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," Trump added.

Late on April 23, Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, came under a missile attack, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. He said several explosions had been heard in the city. Authorities in Kyiv also reported a missile attack on center of the city.

The talks in London, which were aimed at trying to resolve Russia's 38-month war, were already facing serious headwinds after top diplomats, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pulled out, effectively downgrading the meeting.

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they involved "substantive technical meetings with European, US, and Ukrainian officials on how to stop the fighting" triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022.

"We remain absolutely committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and these talks today are an important part of that," the spokesperson said.

The scrapping of a meeting between the top diplomats of Ukraine, the United States, Germany, France, and Britain highlighted the divide between the countries in finding a path to peace talk amid Trump's complaints of a lack of progress in the negotiations.

"I think we read it all the same way," one European diplomat, who asked not to be named, told RFE/RL. "It's the US one step further toward checking out."

"I see it as additional pressure on the Ukrainians: take it or leave it," another European diplomat told RFE/RL. '"We don't have time for you, we have other things to do."

Last week, Rubio and other Ukrainian and European officials met in Paris for talks that yielded what many saw was minor progress toward a resolution of the war.

But Rubio later signaled US impatience with the status of the talks and suggested the United States might pull out entirely from all involvement in the negotiations.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day during a trip to India, US Vice President JD Vance said Washington had issued a “very explicit proposal” to Russia and Ukraine, though he gave no details.

“It’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process," Vance said.

Remember, twice Putin and Zelensky were on the verge of ratifying a peace agreement, when TWICE Boris Johnson intervened and prevented the agreement from being signed

Boris Johnson should be personally held legally responsible for all the deaths that have occurred due to his intervention

[Anthea]

Trump Envoy Meets Putin in Moscow

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a dramatic turn in U.S.-Russia diplomacy, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy and longtime confidant, met for three hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday to discuss what the Kremlin described as “the possibility of renewing direct negotiations” between Russia and Ukraine. The high-stakes meeting, which came amid escalating violence, may mark the most serious U.S. engagement with Moscow over the war in Ukraine since the conflict began in 2022

According to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, the conversation was “constructive and very useful,” with both parties focusing on mechanisms to revive stalled diplomatic channels between Moscow and Kyiv. The meeting occurred one day after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed 12 civilians and as Russian authorities reported the death of a senior general in a car bombing outside the capital, an attack they blamed on Ukrainian intelligence services.

Witkoff’s trip—amid a backdrop of mounting regional instability and renewed Western scrutiny—comes as Trump is pushing for a ceasefire in the grinding conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions. While Washington has kept the details of its peace proposal under wraps, sources close to the Trump administration, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, indicate that the White House is considering a controversial compromise:

freezing the current frontlines and formally recognizing Russian control of Crimea in exchange for a cessation of hostilities

According to Le Figaro, these proposals, often referred to as the “Witkoff plan,” also include provisions favorable to Moscow, such as the de facto recognition of Russian control over four other partially occupied Ukrainian regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. In contrast, a revised document drafted by Ukrainian and European officials reportedly avoids any such recognition and defers territorial issues until after a ceasefire.

The Witkoff plan also rules out Ukrainian membership in NATO, offering instead vague “strong security guarantees” backed by European allies—but without U.S. participation. The European-Ukrainian counterproposal, however, calls for unrestricted military cooperation and forward deployment rights for allied forces.

During the talks in Moscow, Witkoff raised Trump’s growing impatience. Following the Kyiv strike, the U.S. President took to social media, directly addressing Putin: “Vladimir, STOP! Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” The message marked one of Trump’s most public and pointed interventions in the Russia-Ukraine war since returning to office.

Trump, in a TIME magazine interview published Friday, appeared to signal a willingness to accept Russian sovereignty over Crimea, stating, “Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that.” The comment triggered fresh waves of concern in Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently ruled out conceding territory, including Crimea. However, Zelensky has also acknowledged in recent months that diplomacy may eventually be required to reclaim certain Russian-occupied territories after a ceasefire.

Despite Trump’s frustration, Moscow has shown little willingness to rush into a deal. As the New York Times reports, Putin has increased airstrikes on Ukrainian civilian targets while expressing confidence that Trump’s alignment with key Russian demands—especially on Crimea and NATO—places Moscow in a stronger negotiating position. Kremlin aides have described Putin’s calculus as one of tactical patience: escalate the pressure while keeping diplomatic channels open.

Witkoff’s language on the “so-called five territories” has also drawn criticism from Zelensky, who accused the U.S. envoy of “spreading Russian narratives.” Ukraine’s resistance to territorial concessions remains firm, with officials insisting on a ceasefire before any discussion of permanent borders.

In parallel, The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump’s envoy offered Moscow a U.S.-Iran nuclear compromise proposal that would allow Tehran to operate a civilian nuclear program under strict conditions. Though unrelated to Ukraine, the proposal reflects the administration’s broader bid to present itself as a deal-making force in multiple conflict zones.

On Friday, as Witkoff was in Moscow, a Russian general was killed in an explosion that authorities blamed on Ukrainian intelligence—underscoring the volatility of the current moment. Meanwhile, the U.S. has scaled back military aid to Ukraine and suspended certain intelligence-sharing operations, a move that analysts interpret as further pressure on Zelensky to accept a U.S.-led peace framework

At a symbolic level, Witkoff’s Moscow visit coincided with the anniversary of the first U.S.-Soviet meeting in World War II—a fact that Russian officials highlighted as a sign of “shared hope for postwar peace.” But beneath the symbolism, the substantive gaps remain wide.

According to the New York Times, Putin is likely to continue military operations until Ukraine and its allies are forced to concede. Despite Trump’s assurances, the Kremlin has yet to offer any major compromises. Still, Trump continues to frame his push as a race against time. “If we don’t make a deal,” he warned, “I’ll be leading the pack.”

As the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine assess the results of Friday’s meeting, the fate of a war that has reshaped global politics may hinge on what comes next in this high-stakes diplomatic struggle.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... -ceasefire

[Anthea]

Kursk fully freed from Ukraine

Russian forces have fully cleared Kursk region of Ukrainian troops as Putin hails victory and prepares for further advances into Ukraine's Sumy region

The Russian army has fully cleared the Kursk region of Ukrainian forces, Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, marking a significant development in the Russian army Ukraine conflict.

Kiev had initially aimed to use territory in the Kursk region as leverage in future negotiations, but Russia, which has taken control of regions of the Donbass has now taken full control.

"Today, the last settlement in the Kursk region, the village of Gornal, has been liberated from Ukrainian forces," Gerasimov said in a video conference, delivering the Valery Gerasimov report directly to Putin.

"The Kiev regime's adventure has completely failed," Putin responded, expressing his gratitude to Russian soldiers for their role in the Kursk region's liberation. He emphasized that the recapture of Kursk would enable further Russian advances on other parts of the front.

Russian troops, now stationed at the border, are preparing to increase pressure on Ukraine's Sumy region, directly adjacent to Kursk. Moscow has already launched attacks in the Sumy region in recent weeks, and a broader Sumy region offensive is expected.

Reuters in late March reported on growing uncertainty and debate in Ukraine following its military withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region, a bold cross-border incursion that, while initially successful, has come at a heavy cost for some Ukrainian families and soldiers.

Ukraine's military General Staff stated that the offensive into Kursk aimed to increase pressure on Moscow, prevent cross-border attacks, and divert Russian forces from other fronts. The operation, they claimed, "achieved most of its goals."

The surprise assault in August 2024 marked the largest incursion into Russian territory since World War II. Ukrainian forces captured over 1,300 square kilometers of land, advancing largely unopposed in the early stages. However, as the operation progressed, the offensive force struggled with logistics and troop numbers.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... om-ukraine

[Anthea]

Hegseth ordered pause to Ukraine arms

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's move just days into Trump’s second term exposed internal disarray and blindsided the White House

Roughly a week after Donald Trump began his second term as president, the US military abruptly canceled 11 scheduled flights of artillery shells and weaponry bound for Ukraine. The decision, which originated from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office, temporarily disrupted key military assistance and blindsided top national security officials in Washington.

The order, issued verbally through the US Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), affected shipments from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and Al Udeid Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The halt triggered urgent inquiries from Ukrainian and Polish officials involved in coordinating the deliveries. However, senior figures in the White House, the Pentagon, and the State Department were unable to provide answers.

Within days, the flights resumed. But the incident, confirmed by TRANSCOM records reviewed by Reuters and five sources familiar with the matter, exposed confusion and a breakdown in decision-making at the highest levels of the Trump administration.

TRANSCOM caught in the middle of internal confusion

The cancellation followed a January 30 Oval Office meeting between Trump, Hegseth, and other senior security officials. During the discussion, the idea of pausing Ukraine aid was raised, but no formal directive was issued by the president, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the conversation.

Despite this, Hegseth’s office moved forward with halting the shipments. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, Hegseth was acting on a general directive from the president. Still, the lack of communication with other senior officials and the swift reversal of the order raised questions.

“This is consistent with the administration's policy to move fast, break things and sort it out later,” said Mark Cancian, a defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “That is great for Silicon Valley. But when you’re talking about institutions that have been around for hundreds of years, you are going to run into problems.”

TRANSCOM estimates that the canceled flights cost taxpayers $1.6 million. A more formal policy to halt military assistance, based on shipments authorized under the Biden administration, was only announced by the White House on March 4.

Ukraine military aid pause fuels uncertainty

The brief pause in February sparked concern in Kiev, where Ukrainian officials struggled to obtain clarity from Washington. One Ukrainian official later said the incident was described to them as “internal politics". Officials in Ukraine did not publicly comment on the cancellation.

The US weapons shipments to Ukraine, typically routed through a logistics hub in Poland, involve a multi-agency approval process and can take weeks to organize. It remains unclear whether other flights continued during the February disruption or how much aid was already stockpiled.

According to multiple sources, the February flights included equipment long approved by Congress and the Biden administration. Some of Hegseth’s closest advisors, many with no prior government experience and a history of opposition to US aid to Ukraine, reportedly encouraged the pause.

Decision-making breakdown and power struggles inside the Pentagon

One source stated that Hegseth entered the January 30 meeting with a memo drafted by his staff, urging a temporary pause in arms shipments to increase leverage in peace talks with Russia. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg were also present at the meeting.

Though aid shipments had continued uninterrupted through Trump’s first weeks in office, the lack of a coordinated policy discussion before halting the flights signaled a breakdown in protocol. The pause came as Ukrainian forces faced increasing pressure from Russian advances in eastern Ukraine and the Kursk region.

Close Trump advisors, upon learning of the cancellation, discussed it with the president, with sources indicating that Waltz eventually intervened to restore the shipments. Waltz himself was later removed from his role and is reportedly set to be nominated as US ambassador to the United Nations.

Deepening factionalism inside the Trump administration

The Pentagon has since experienced internal upheaval. On April 15, several of Hegseth’s aides were escorted out over alleged leaks of classified information. Among them was Dan Caldwell, one of the secretary’s chief advisors on Ukraine and a vocal proponent of an "America First" approach to foreign policy.

Infighting between factions supporting continued engagement in Ukraine and those favoring a pullback has complicated the Trump administration’s ability to articulate a coherent security policy. While National Security Council officials like Kellogg and Trump ally Steve Witkoff have worked to broker a ceasefire with Russia, others within the Pentagon have pushed to scale back support for Kiev.

The divide reflects a broader ideological rift. Some officials argue the US should refocus on containing China rather than sustaining conflicts in Europe or the Middle East, a view aligned with Vice President JD Vance.

Meanwhile, Washington has pursued an agreement with Kiev for access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, which US officials see as partial repayment for American military aid.

Despite these tensions, the Trump administration has resumed delivering the final tranches of aid authorized under the Biden administration. However, no new Ukraine policy has been publicly announced, and the uncertainty surrounding the February cancellations continues to cast doubt on the administration’s cohesion and strategic clarity.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... p-approval

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US envoy to deliver 22-point
Ukraine peace plan to Putin

The proposal, which draws on months of backchannel diplomacy in Paris, Riyadh, and St. Petersburg, attempts to address Russia's core security concerns while laying the groundwork for further negotiations

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to present Russian President Vladimir Putin with a comprehensive 22-point peace proposal designed to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, NBC News reported.

The plan, developed through coordinated efforts by US, European, and Ukrainian negotiators, centers on a 30-day ceasefire and includes a pivotal concession: a US commitment not to support Ukraine's bid to join NATO, an issue that has long been a red line for Moscow.

The proposal, which draws on months of backchannel diplomacy in Paris, Riyadh, and St. Petersburg, attempts to address Russia's core security concerns while laying the groundwork for further negotiations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underscored the Kremlin's position, stating that any meaningful agreement must tackle "threats to Russia's national security stemming from NATO's eastward expansion" and ensure "full respect for human rights in the territories that remain under Kiev's control following the 2014 coup in Ukraine."

The US-led plan is being delivered amid a broader diplomatic push to de-escalate the conflict. It closely follows a separate initiative led by Ukraine and its Western allies, who on Saturday offered a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, pending Russia's agreement and international monitoring.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the proposal, stating, "Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full, unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday. If Russia agrees and effective monitoring is ensured, a durable ceasefire and confidence-building measures can pave the way to peace negotiations."

However, Russia's response has been conditional. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated that any truce must include a total halt to US and European arms shipments to Ukraine. "Otherwise, it will be an advantage for Ukraine. Ukraine will continue their total mobilisation, bringing new troops to (the) frontline," he told ABC News. While Putin reportedly supports a ceasefire "in principle," Russian officials argue that current battlefield dynamics and Western involvement undermine any pause's feasibility.

Concerns have also emerged within Western capitals over elements of the 22-point plan, particularly what some interpret as tacit acceptance of Russia's control over Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders have warned that any deal perceived to erode Ukrainian sovereignty could backfire, fueling further resistance both domestically and internationally.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... n-to-putin

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Trump urges Kiev to join Putin talks
'IMMEDIATELY' to end 'BLOODBATH'

The appeal followed Putin's rare televised address, in which he proposed a new round of "direct" talks and stressed the need for serious negotiations

US President Donald Trump on Sunday publicly called on Ukraine to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, suggesting the meeting could serve as a vital step toward ending the war. The talks, however, are set to take place without any pre-agreed ceasefire, a condition that has already triggered contrasting responses from global leaders.

"President Putin of Russia doesn't want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY," Trump wrote on Truth Social

The appeal followed Putin's rare televised address, in which he proposed a new round of "direct" talks and stressed the need for serious negotiations, warning that any ceasefire used to rearm Ukrainian forces would only prolong the conflict. "This would be the first step towards a long-term, lasting peace, rather than a prologue to more armed hostilities after the Ukrainian armed forces get new armaments and personnel… Who needs peace like that?" he said.

Trump argued that the Istanbul meeting could serve to clarify the viability of a deal and help all parties adjust their positions accordingly. "European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly," he added.

Ukraine, however, has maintained a different stance. President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that negotiations cannot proceed unless Russia first commits to the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kiev and backed by a coalition of European leaders. "Only then will Kiev sit down at the negotiating table," Zelensky said. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that Ukraine and its allies are ready to implement the ceasefire starting May 12, provided international monitors are in place and Moscow agrees.

Trump, expressing frustration with the impasse, questioned Kyiv's commitment to diplomacy. "I'm starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who's too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll… HAVE THE DEAL, NOW!!!"

As the May 15 summit draws nearer, Turkey has affirmed its readiness to host the negotiations. President Erdogan has launched a series of diplomatic phone calls with Western leaders to help safeguard the initiative from disruption. Turkish officials emphasized that "a window of opportunity has opened for peace," but warned that sustained efforts from all sides would be essential.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... -to-end--b

[Anthea]

Trump signals retreat from Ukraine

as talks with Putin resume

Following a call with Putin, Donald Trump appears to step back from US mediation in Ukraine, leaving Kiev and European allies alarmed at a shift toward Moscow

In a Financial Times piece, Guy Chazan, Christopher Miller, Polina Ivanova, and Henry Foy argue that US President Donald Trump is walking away from his once-promised role as peace broker in the Ukraine war, leaving Kyiv alarmed and European allies on edge.

Following a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump struck an unexpectedly optimistic tone about the future of US-Russia relations, posting on Truth Social about the prospect of "largescale TRADE" once the "catastrophic ‘bloodbath’" in Ukraine ends. According to Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, the call was so warm that neither side wanted to be the first to hang up, according to the Financial Times.

As the Financial Times co-authors argue, what startled many in Kiev and Brussels was not just the tone of the conversation, but the substance. Trump appeared to back away from applying any pressure on Moscow to end the war, and suggested the US would no longer act as mediator. Instead, he floated the idea of the Vatican stepping in, naming Pope Leo XIV as a possible host for talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was blunt in his response, warning that the US stepping aside would embolden Russia.

This shift was seen by the Financial Times authors as a pivotal moment. The president who had once vowed to end the Ukraine war on his first day in office now seemed ready to abandon that promise, and Ukraine with it.

Kiev left exposed as US signals disengagement

According to the Financial Times, the US president indicated that Washington would not apply additional pressure on Russia while the bilateral Russia-Ukraine talks continued, despite previously threatening sanctions for failure to implement a ceasefire.

Steven Pifer, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, told the Financial Times that “this call with Trump was a win for Putin,” adding that the Russian leader can now continue the war “with no additional sanctions.”

Putin’s mention of a possible “memorandum” outlining terms for peace raised confusion in Kiev. Senior Ukrainian officials said they had no knowledge of such a proposal. “Nobody knows what it is, what’s the reason for it [and] why it matters,” one official said to the Financial Times. Zelensky himself confirmed he had not been informed.

Experts weigh in on Trump’s shifting priorities

The Financial Times analysis quotes a mix of voices on Trump’s apparent policy shift. Bill Taylor, who served as US ambassador to Ukraine from 2006 to 2009, said Russia would likely prolong low-level negotiations while continuing battlefield operations. “The Russians will conduct low-level conversations, exchange various documents, and meanwhile keep on fighting,” Taylor said. “How much longer will Trump put up with all this stalling?”

While some analysts see strategic logic in Trump’s desire to step back, Peter Slezkine of the Stimson Center suggests removing the US might force direct dialogue, others see the move as a tilt toward Moscow.

Andrew Weiss of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace was blunt, “At this point, Trump seems to see normalization of Russia-US relations as an end in itself. Everything else is subordinated to that goal.”

US Vice President JD Vance further reinforced the new US stance, saying, “We’re going to try to end it, but if we can’t… we’re not doing it anymore. This is not our war."

Russia advances as battlefield pressure grows

As diplomacy stalls, Russia is gaining ground. The Financial Times authors note that Moscow’s military has intensified pressure along the eastern front, particularly near the city of Pokrovsk and toward the Donetsk regional border.

The piece cites the Ukrainian analytical group DeepState, which reports that Russian forces are positioned within five kilometers of the administrative Donetsk boundary, while Ukrainian soldiers describe critical infrastructure coming under persistent drone attacks.

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, tells the Financial Times that the Kremlin likely believes it still has room to expand its gains. “Russia’s leadership likely believes they can still improve their position on the battlefield,” Lee says.

With summer approaching and weather conditions turning favorable, he warns, Russia may attempt to capture as much territory as possible before entering negotiations more seriously.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... th-putin-r

All Russia is doing is helping Donbass (at its' request) to liberate itself from the NAZIS as it did during WW2

[Anthea]

phpBB [video]

IBRAHIM TRAORE'S VIRAL Interview In Russia
that Got Banned By Media

Direct Link to Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/2qqTsst4p7 ... IrcI2mnr_f

[Anthea]

Russia confirms delegation lineup
for June 2 talks with Ukraine

The delegation will again be led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

Russia has confirmed that it will send the same delegation to the upcoming round of direct negotiations with Ukraine, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced the decision during an interview on the "60 Minutes" program aired on Rossiya 1, stating: "The same Russian delegation, we proceed from this," in reference to the team’s unchanged composition.

The delegation will again be led by Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and General Staff Intelligence Chief Igor Kostyukov, according to state media.

Peace Blueprint

Moscow is expected to present a comprehensive peace memorandum during the meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that the document outlines Russia’s position on key issues aimed at ending the war. "The Russian side, as agreed, has promptly developed a relevant memorandum, which sets out our position on all aspects of reliably overcoming the root causes of the crisis," Lavrov said on Wednesday.

According to sources cited by Reuters, the memorandum includes timelines for a ceasefire, conditions for Ukrainian neutrality, and restrictions on NATO expansion, particularly excluding Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova from future membership. Russia is also demanding partial sanctions relief, the unfreezing of assets, and protections for Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine.

The June 2 meeting follows the May 16 round of talks, also held in Istanbul, which marked the first direct contact between Russian and Ukrainian officials since March 2022. That meeting led to the largest prisoner exchange of the war, with 1,000 detainees released, followed by a second exchange of 390 more on May 23. While seen as positive steps, those talks did not produce progress toward a ceasefire.

Talks Uncertain

Ukraine has not yet publicly confirmed its participation in the June 2 session. Kiev and its Western allies maintain that a ceasefire must precede political negotiations and have rejected Russia’s conditions involving territorial concessions and NATO limitations.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate as the US considers lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-supplied weapons to strike inside Russian territory—a move the Kremlin has condemned as a potential escalation that could undermine the talks.

Lavrov has praised Turkey’s role in facilitating the dialogue and called on international stakeholders to support the initiative. "Moscow expects those interested in the success of the peace process to support a new round of Russian-Ukrainian talks," he said.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... -with-ukra

[Anthea]

Six years of dashed hopes for peace in Ukraine

Zelensky's presidency, once seen as a hope for peace, has instead deepened conflict, extended authoritarian rule, and aligned Ukraine with Western geopolitical goals, leaving the nation fractured and disillusioned

Zelensky's term of office expired in April 2024, but more than one year later, he shows no sign of resigning or convening an election

Six years ago, on May 20, 2019, Ukraine inaugurated a new president who had defeated by a large margin the incumbent Petro Poroshenko, elected in May 2014. That election occurred barely three months following the coup that ousted Ukraine’s elected and constitutional president, Viktor Yanukovych, and its national legislature.

Poroshenko is one of the richest men in Ukraine. His five-year presidential term firmly placed Ukraine on the global map as a hostile, ‘anti-Russia’ at the service of the Western powers

Following the 2019 election campaign, the candidate who became president, Volodomyr Zelensky, continued the radical, ethnic nationalism of his predecessor, Poroshenko, even though Zelensky’s election campaign had deceptively suggested that he would end the bloody civil war being waged by Kiev against the people of Donbass since 2014. He hinted he would end the political and cultural repression of pro-Soviet Ukrainians, which was fast becoming generalized in post-coup Ukraine.

Not long after the votes were counted in April 2019, it became clear that the political course laid down by Western embassies during and since the 2014 Euromaidan coup would remain unchanged. Zelensky gradually changed his rhetoric to resemble that of his billionaire predecessor.

A turning point noted by analysts at the time was Zelensky’s visit to London in October 2020 with British intelligence chief Richard Moore. There, dire warnings of ‘Russian interference and aggression’ were relayed to Zelensky by the British official, who reportedly received a sympathetic ear.

Eighteen months later, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a special visit to Zelensky in Istanbul in order to sabotage peace talks underway with the Russian Federation. The peace talks were initially positive, but Johnson’s sabotage succeeded.

A ‘president’ with no electoral legitimacy

Zelensky's term of office expired in April 2024, but more than one year later, he shows no sign of resigning or convening an election. The Ukrainian constitution stipulates elections every five years to the presidency and the legislature (‘Rada’). Zelensky’s political image has undergone significant changes during the past six years.

Prior to 2019, Zelensky was a popular comedian and actor. Today, he is a warmaking president who sees conspiracies against him everywhere. Ukraine's secret police agency faithfully and regularly publicizes alleged ‘conspiracies’ against him (for the sake of their career prospects).

Power in capitalist states corrupts those who wield it, and for Zelensky, military action against Russia and a claimed need for mass political repression inside the country have become an excuse not only to prolong his rule but also to maximize a concentration of power.

Western politicians and mass media have fully encouraged him along an authoritarian path of usurpation of power under the pretext of ‘defending democracy’. However, this pretext is not ‘democracy’ as a fundamental structure of society. Rather, it is used as a tool of power, wielded by authoritarians appropriating the term ‘democrat’ as a kind of trademark for themselves.

A leading figure of the Euromaidan coup of late 2013/early 2014, former Rada legislator Igor Mosiychuk, today compares the behavior of Kyiv's Western allies to the behavior of looters during a brawl

“Do you know what they remind me of? When two neighbors fight until they bleed, break each other's arms, and set each other's house on fire.

Other neighbors then shout ‘Put out the fire, stop the fight!’, but at their first opportunity, they run into the house in order to steal everything of value. These are the kind of Western partners we have,” says the today-disillusioned Ukrainian nationalist.

Mosiychuk lives in exile in Europe; on May 25, Zelensky announced new sanctions against him and others deemed to “threaten the interests of Ukraine”.

Six years ago, Zelensky said that he was not afraid of losing his ratings and power as long as people did not needlessly suffer and die. He even promised respect for the language and cultures of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine, a lowering of some taxes, and improvements to social services and pensions.

However, during his past six-plus years in power, Zelensky has rarely even visited Ukraine outside of Kiev. His recorded video messages to the population of the country are usually produced abroad.

Much travel abroad for the ‘Zelensky project’

Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper reported on May 17 that during his presidency, Zelensky has visited 134 countries. Germany has been the most frequent destination, at eleven times, followed by France at ten and the United States at nine.

Since the beginning of 2025, Zelensky has made 23 trips abroad to 18 countries, reports the newspaper. In 2025 alone, he has made 23 trips to 18 countries and states. Such an emphasis on foreign trips is a sign of Ukraine’s deteriorating independence and of Zelensky’s alienation from his own country.

This is a man who wishes that his homeland were other than Ukraine and that his residence were somewhere in London

There is another reason for Zelensky’s constant tours, and that is the Western powers and their ‘Zelensky project’, whereby the man, the cause he espouses, and the tears he sheds before the cameras are used to split the countries of the Global South away from the influence of Russia and China and return at least some of them ‘to the fold’ of subordination to the West.

Former adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, Alexei Arestovych, says that Zelensky's public relations handlers are continuing an anti-Russian course, thereby condemning so many Ukrainians to death on the battlefields and risking death to the country as a whole.

An insoluble conflict?

Legislator Aleksander Dubinsky, a former member of Zelensky’s ‘Servant of the People’ electoral machine, believes that the main goal of Zelensky and his European masters is to turn the war between Ukraine and the Russian Federation into an insoluble ethnic conflict becomes eternal.

However, he is certain that Zelensky and the rabid, ethnic nationalists who surround him are already a thing of the past. Almost no one in Ukraine is betting on their futures

Dubinsky believes that Zelensky and the ultra-nationalists surrounding him have plenty of troubling warning signs ahead: popular anger over dashed hopes for peace, or at least a lessening of tensions, with Russia following the 2019 election.

Contempt for Zelensky's theatrical narcissism; humiliations suffered by the Ukrainian military; and anger by soldiers who who have been beaten and humiliated while risking their lives against their will with a great many losing their lives. All these factors could explode in Ukraine with a new outbreak of violence, a kind of revenge for everything hateful and destructive that has happened since 2014.

Dubinsky's former colleague, legislator Artem Dmitruk, who has fled to London and resides there, calls May 20, 2019 (the date of Zelensky’s inauguration) the day when hope began to turn into catastrophe. “Nobody could have imagined that everything would end like this...

That we would find our country on the brink of extinction; that death would become commonplace; that murders committed in basements or on the streets would become the norm; that hysteria would replace common sense; that ignorance would become a privilege and truth would become a crime.” That is how the former ‘Servant of the People’ apparatchik sums up the results of the six-year rule of his former boss.

According to Dubinsky, it is urgently needed to draw conclusions from the national tragedy being experienced. He warns, in particular, against any kind of theatrical showcasing when choosing future political leaders.

A former employee of the Ukrainian embassy in the United States, political scientist Andrey Telizhenko, has recently projected that a new Ukrainian politician to replace Zelensky will sign a peace agreement with the Russian Federation this year.

“This war will continue until the end of the year. At some point, a ‘neutral’ government may come to power, and Zelensky will no longer be there. A temporary government will be formed, and an agreement will be reached between Washington and Moscow to end the conflict. Following that, a new peace process may begin,” he predicts.

According to positive forecasts now being aired in or around the country, Ukraine will be cleansed of neo-Nazi formations, a political opposition will take part in an election process provided safety can be assured all around, and many citizens will return home to participate and vote once they feel it is safe to do so.

Prisoner exchanges are more than they appear

The number of political prisoners being detained in Ukraine is still unknown, but the authorities report daily the detention or arrest of people being accused of ‘treason’. These include anti-fascists, Ukrainians who honor their grandfathers who died in the ranks of the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War, and any and all public critics of Zelensky.

Added to that are businessmen and other people of property who these days find themselves arrested by Ukrainian special police services, and their property is then confiscated. Ransoms are demanded in exchange for the cancellation of arrests.

During the halting peace talks that took place in Istanbul earlier this month, Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange prisoners, 1,000 on each side. Kyiv demanded a ‘one-for-one’ exchange. However, there are far fewer Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine compared to Ukrainian soldiers imprisoned in Russia.

The Russian army has been steadily advancing in recent months; it is mainly Ukrainians who are being captured and taken prisoner. It turns out that Ukrainian authorities are including civilian dissidents disloyal to the Zelensky regime among their ‘Russian prisoners of war’ in the prisoner exchanges.

“On the eve of the largest prisoner exchange to date of ‘1,000 for 1,000’, pretrial detention centers in Ukraine began to fill up with prisoners accused of ‘treason’, ‘separatism’, ‘collaborationism’ and other similar political charges. These prisoners were then used in the prisoner-of-war exchange,” reports the Ukrainian online publication Strana on May 20.

Those whom Kyiv is offering to exchange for its captured soldiers include businessmen, youth caught taking photos or video of military facilities (strictly forbidden under Ukraine’s martial law regime], people setting fire to the vehicles of military recruiters, and people who were simply set up or betrayed under accusations of ‘pro-Russian’ views or sympathies.

Finding fault for Ukraine’s crisis

Ukrainian political scientist Oleg Yasinsky writes from Chile that the project implemented in Ukraine has aimed at weakening Russia, if not altogether destroying the Russian Federation’s unity, pure and simple. He argues that the project arose long before 2022, even before 2014.

According to him, “roles and masks” are now changing, but the Ukrainian state, which has allowed itself to be used in the anti-Russia project, has been “eaten, swallowed and digested by the global corporate power long ago, polluting the political landscape with what is left over”.

According to him, what remains in Ukraine is a desecrated territory, a destroyed people, and a heartless money-making plan that neither Donald Trump nor companies such as BlackRock will be able to realize.

We Ukrainians share blame for the unfolding disaster, according to Yasinsky. “When our tragedy was being drawn up and calculated in advance, many of us clearly saw it, but we lacked the courage, wisdom, or simply the right words to stop the rush into the abyss,” he says.

The most urgent task today, writes Yasinsky, is to use all available means to raise the consciousness of the people of the Western countries upon which Ukraine still depends to wage war. He says what is needed is not ‘rallies for peace’ but mass disobedience and “burning of the military factories in Borrell's garden”. (Here, Yasinsky is referring to the resonant words of EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell in 2022 when he compared Europe to a “garden” and called the rest of the world a “jungle”.)

Six years of Zelensky's rule--five years following a stunted presidential election, followed by a one-year-and-counting usurpation of power--has shown Ukrainians that words pronounced in the halls of power in the West mean nothing. If earlier, the rule of Ukrainian presidents at least somewhat correlated with their program and promises, the rule of Zelensky’s regime displays a complete, 180-degree turn, cynically masked by the man’s tears and hysterics.

Ukraine will soon get out of this war and be rid of Zelensky. But the same deception of voters, encouraged and incited by the West, will linger. Indeed, the same deceptions are being tested on citizens of other countries. They, too, are being called upon to sacrifice for the sake of maintaining Western capitalist hegemony.

Those among them with a heart and a soul will resist and join with others to chart a path to a different future, one of social justice and respect, and equality between peoples. This cannot come soon enough.

https://english.almayadeen.net/articles ... tion-in-uk

[Anthea]

Ukraine faces record military desertions
amid forced mobilization

Ukraine’s military desertion cases have surged in 2025, reflecting troop fatigue, forced mobilization, and inconsistent punishment

Ukraine’s military is witnessing a sharp and unprecedented rise in desertion cases, with 25,508 incidents recorded in the first five months of 2025 alone, according to data from Ukraine’s Unified State Register of Court Decisions.

If the current trend continues, the number of desertions could reach an estimated 61,000 by the end of the year.

In April 2025 alone, 6,245 soldiers deserted, marking a steep increase from 4,992 in January.

By comparison, 2024 saw 35,750 recorded desertions, nearly triple the 12,563 cases reported in 2023.

Inconsistent penalties, legal loopholes undermine discipline

The rise in Ukraine's military desertions highlights an erosion of military discipline, compounded by legal inconsistencies.

The Pravda news website noted that while some soldiers face up to five years in prison, others return to active duty through legal loopholes or lenient judicial interpretations.

Analysts point to the pressures of forced mobilization and prolonged conflict as major contributors to the rise in desertion cases.

Ukrainian authorities have reportedly opted to turn a blind eye to discipline to avoid further reducing their fighting force, a trade-off that comes at the expense of unit cohesion and morale.
What the surge in Ukraine's military desertions reveals

The sharp uptick in desertions reflects Ukraine’s mounting challenge to sustain its military strength amid ongoing mobilization and battlefield fatigue.

As the war grinds on, Kiev faces a difficult balancing act between enforcing discipline and maintaining adequate troop numbers, a dilemma that could have long-term consequences for both military effectiveness and public trust.

3,000+ Ukrainian soldiers eliminated over past week

In a related context, the Russian Defense Minister said Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of forces has eliminated more than 3,060 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week.

"The enemy's losses amounted to over 3,060 servicepeople, a tank, 39 armored fighting vehicles, including an M113 armored personnel carrier and a US-made MaxxPro armored vehicle manufactured. 57 vehicles and nine field artillery guns were destroyed," the Ministry said in a statement.

It highlighted that the Zapad (West) group of forces has eliminated over 1,495 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Russia's Yug (South) group of forces has eliminated over 1,615 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day.

In addition, the Ministry said the Sever (North) group of troops eliminated over 1,490 soldiers in the past day, while the Vostok (East) group has eliminated more than 1,265 Ukrainian soldiers.

1,439 Ukrainian drones downed

Moreover, the Russian air defense took down 1,439 Ukrainian drones, including 907 outside the special operation zone, the statement confirmed.

Russian forces control Kondrashovka settlement in Kharkov

The Russian Defense Ministry also announced that Moscow's forces have taken control of the settlement of Kondrashovka (Kindrashivka) in the Kharkov region.

"As a result of decisive actions by units of the Zapad [West] group of troops, the settlements of Stroyevka [Stroivka] and Kondrashovka in the Kharkov region have been liberated," the Ministry stated.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... ed-mobiliz

[Anthea]

Ukraine using terror tactics

undermining peace talks

The Russian leader cited attacks in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, including the bombing of a bridge that killed seven civilians and injured more than 100

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine's leadership of orchestrating deliberate attacks on civilians, describing them as part of a broader strategy to sabotage ongoing peace negotiations and distract from major battlefield setbacks.

During a meeting with Russian officials on Wednesday, Putin said the Ukrainian government, unable to achieve its military objectives, has turned to violent provocations.

"Today, against the backdrop of enormous losses, retreating along the entire line of combat contact, and trying to intimidate Russia, the Kiev leadership has moved on to organizing terrorist acts," he stated

The Russian leader cited attacks in the Bryansk and Kursk regions, including the bombing of a bridge that killed seven civilians and injured more than 100.

Investigators say the strike coincided with a passing passenger train. A second incident reportedly occurred in Kursk, an area Putin claimed had already seen "absolutely senseless and huge losses" among Ukrainian forces.

Sabotaged Talks

Putin argued that the timing of these attacks was no accident. He believes they were designed to derail the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul earlier this week.

"All the crimes that were committed against civilians, including women and children, on the eve of the next round of the peace talks we proposed in Istanbul, were certainly aimed at disrupting the negotiation process. The strike was inflicted on the civilian population intentionally," he said.

Putin didn't mince words in condemning Ukraine's political establishment. "Today's Kiev regime does not need peace at all. Peace for it most likely means the loss of power," he said. "The authorities in Kiev are completely rotten and corrupt."

In the first round of peace talks on May 16, Russia presented a memorandum demanding Ukraine withdraw from four occupied regions, recognize Russia’s territorial gains, abandon its NATO bid, reduce its military, and grant Russian language official status

Ukraine rejected these terms, instead proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, the return of deported children, and a large-scale prisoner exchange.

While both sides agreed to swap at least 1,000 prisoners each, no progress was made on core political or territorial issues.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... ng-peace-t

[Anthea]

Ukraine fails to show at exchange location

Ukraine draws widespread condemnations from Russian officials after failing to appear at the agreed-upon location for the POW and deceased soldiers exchange

Russia is currently expecting to receive formal notifications from Ukraine regarding the reported delay in the exchange of prisoners and deceased bodies, which is said to have been rescheduled for the following week, according to Lieutenant General Alexander Zorin, who serves as the representative of the Russian negotiating team.

"We have seen reports from Ukrainian and international media claiming that the operation has allegedly been postponed until next week. We are awaiting official communications on this matter," Zorin stated, according to TASS on Saturday.

"We are ready to proceed right now, since the bodies are located very near the exchange point, and we are committed to fulfilling this purely humanitarian operation, which was agreed upon during the second round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul," he added.

Zorin stated that Russia had transferred the initial group of deceased Ukrainian servicemen to the agreed exchange location, fully adhering to the terms outlined in the Istanbul agreements.

"The Russian side, in exact compliance with the Istanbul agreements from June 2, delivered to the exchange location the first group of deceased Ukrainian servicemen - 1,212 bodies in total. In line with the schedule agreed upon in Istanbul, we fulfilled this task. Unfortunately, no one from the Ukrainian side made contact today, and the exchange did not take place," he stated.

Ukraine's failure to comply with the agreed-upon terms of the Istanbul talks has drawn widespread condemnations from Russian officials.

Ukraine could be cursed if they don't recover soldiers' bodies: Zakharova

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Saturday that Ukrainian authorities would face a generational curse if they failed to recover the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who died in combat.

"If only they dare not to reclaim them [the bodies]. They will be cursed for generations to come! It's just beyond the limits, because the living - they can do something, make decisions, think about something, somehow change the situation. And the dead can't," Zakharova said in an interview for the Belarus 1 channel.

She added that different countries and cultures have their own burial and funeral procedures, "but to abandon your own people? I don't know [anything about it]."

Earlier in the day, Vladimir Medinsky, a Russian presidential aide and head of the Russian delegation in talks with Ukraine, stated that Russia had begun the process of repatriating more than 6,000 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, as well as facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, under the agreements reached during the negotiations in Istanbul on June 2.

Medinsky was forced to address the situation after the Ukrainian side failed to appear at the agreed-upon exchange location despite the date being confirmed in advance.

Kiev avoids reclaiming bodies to hide losses, evade compensations: Medvedev

On Saturday, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said that Kiev is refusing to retrieve the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers to conceal the true scale of casualties and avoid providing compensation to the families of the deceased.

"The Kiev bastards don't want to take the bodies of their dead soldiers. There are two reasons: it's scary to admit that there are 6,000 of them and they don't want to pay widows," Medvedev stated on X.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... ing-russia

[Anthea]

Russia foils plot to smuggle
helicopter parts to Ukraine

Russia's FSB stops international smuggling of Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter parts to Ukraine, seizing components worth over $5 million

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Monday that it has thwarted an international operation aimed at smuggling aviation equipment, including Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter components, to Ukraine.

According to a statement from the FSB Public Relations Center, six individuals from Russia, Ukraine, and Middle Eastern countries were involved in the attempted smuggling. Their activities were reportedly directed by a foreign national residing outside of Russia.

“The FSB has identified and stopped the unauthorized actions of an international group of individuals who were involved in preparing the smuggling of aviation equipment abroad, including to Ukraine,” the statement read.

The estimated value of the seized components exceeds 400 million rubles (approximately 5.2 million US dollars), which authorities say would have been sufficient to restore the operational capacity of at least four helicopters.

The group allegedly purchased the helicopter parts, intended for Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 aircraft, through front companies that procured the components from legitimate manufacturers and operators. The items were then stored and illegally transported across Russia’s borders.

A criminal case has been opened in the Orenburg Region under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 1.1 of Article 226.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, relating to attempted smuggling of military equipment and goods usable in weapons production. Investigations and operational measures are ongoing.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... to-ukraine

[Anthea]

Ukraine may lose more land without peace deal

A top Kremlin aide warns Ukraine against rejecting peace terms, framing continued resistance as a path to further conflict and territorial loss

A senior Kremlin official has warned that Ukraine could face additional territorial losses if it refuses to accept Russia's proposed terms to end the ongoing war, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Vladimir Medinsky, a prominent advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, delivered the message as the war enters its fourth year. “With Russia, it's impossible to fight a long war,” Medinsky said, referencing Russia’s historical endurance, including its 21-year war with Sweden in the 18th century.

“We want peace,” he added. “But if Ukraine keeps being driven by the national interests of others, then we will be simply forced to respond.”

Medinsky's remarks underscore Moscow’s positioning: that Russia has the stamina for prolonged warfare and sees Ukraine's resistance as externally fueled, particularly by Western powers. The comments come as diplomatic channels remain largely frozen and international mediation efforts have failed to yield meaningful progress.

His statement also reaffirms Russia's longstanding narrative that it is open to negotiations, on its own terms, while warning of escalating consequences if Kiev continues to reject them.
32 Ukrainian drones intercepted overnight

Separately, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that it had intercepted and destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones during the night. The drones were reportedly targeting sites across several regions, including Voronezh, Kursk, Tambov, Rostov, and Crimea.

According to the Ministry, around half of the drones were downed over the southern Voronezh region, while the rest were intercepted across other territories. The statement did not mention any casualties or damage resulting from the drone activity.

Russia fully ready to hand bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian service members

Addressing the issue of prisoner exchange, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow is fully ready to implement the Istanbul agreement to hand bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian service members over to Kiev.

"Russia is fully ready to implement the agreements that were reached in Istanbul, and we expect Ukraine to show the same approach," she stressed at a briefing.

'Non-human nature of Kiev regime'

According to Zakharova, on June 7, Russia delivered 1,212 bodies to the designated area on the Belarus-Ukraine border. "However, the Kiev regime refused to accept them, which, I think, shocked everyone," the diplomat noted. "This is not the first, or only, proof of the non-human nature of the Kiev regime but definitely the strongest one," she added.

Now well into its fourth year, the Russia-Ukraine war shows little sign of resolution. While the battlefield remains active and fluid, both sides continue to trade claims and accusations. Independent verification remains challenging amid the ongoing fighting and restricted media access.

Russia's latest warning to Ukraine, combined with stepped-up military activity, signals that Moscow intends to maintain pressure both on the ground and at the diplomatic level, particularly as global attention shifts and Western support for Kiev faces increasing political scrutiny.

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/pol ... peace-deal