Negotiations for a ceasefire could gain momentum: Kyiv is proposing new talks to Moscow next week. However, an unconditional ceasefire is not in sight – Moscow is making maximum demands.
Ukraine has proposed new ceasefire negotiations to Russia. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Moscow has been offered a meeting next week. He did not specify a specific date."The momentum of the negotiations must be increased," he said in a video message. Zelensky also reiterated his willingness to meet personally with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
"A leadership-level meeting is necessary to truly achieve a lasting peace," Zelenskyy said. He also added that a new prisoner exchange was planned. The warring parties had agreed to this during their first round of negotiations.
"This is a positive signal"
Russia has recently repeatedly called on Kyiv to continue the talks in Istanbul, which began in the spring. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed Zelensky's statement on Friday that the negotiation process needed more momentum."This is a positive signal. And here we absolutely agree: We are also in favor of accelerating the negotiation process," Peskov said.
Ukraine and Russia resumed direct negotiations in Istanbul in the spring for a possible end to Moscow's war of aggression – for the first time since 2022. Talks were held in Istanbul in May and June. So far, these have primarily focused on humanitarian actions such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of soldiers' bodies.
Moscow's maximum demands
However, a full and unconditional ceasefire demanded by Ukraine is nowhere in sight. Russia has been waging a destructive war of aggression against Ukraine for more than three years. Moscow is making maximum demands for an end to the invasion, which Kyiv categorically rejects.
Russia's conditions include Kyiv's renunciation of NATO membership and recognition of the territories annexed by Moscow. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump also increased pressure on Russia and called for a ceasefire within 50 days. He threatened Moscow with sanctions and punitive tariffs, including penalty fees for Russia's trading partners.
Ukrainian drones intercepted
Meanwhile, the fighting continues. Russia reported further Ukrainian drone attacks on the capital Moscow on Sunday night. At least 14 drones were shot down, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote on Telegram. Rescue workers are deployed in the areas where debris has fallen. However, there were initially no reports of serious damage or injuries.
For security reasons, air traffic at Moscow's four airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky, was temporarily suspended, the Russian news agency Tass reported, citing the aviation authority Rosaviatsia.
Already on Saturday, Ukraine, in its defense against Moscow's war of aggression, also attacked targets in Russia with drones. Sobyanin now reports Ukrainian drone attacks daily. With the attacks on targets in the Russian hinterland, Ukraine primarily intends to hit the enemy's military supply lines. The damage and casualties resulting from the Ukrainian attacks are disproportionate to the many dead and injured, as well as the severe destruction caused by the Russian attacks.
Hundreds of drone attacks on Ukraine
According to Zelensky, more than 300 drone attacks and more than 30 attacks with rockets and cruise missiles were recorded overnight into Saturday. Two people were killed in a Russian missile strike in the Synelnykove district, according to the military governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Among other things, a school and a cultural institution were destroyed. In Odessa on the Black Sea, a residential building was damaged, Zelensky said. He confirmed that one person was killed and six others injured there.
