**Russia’s Putin Hints at Further Peace Talks with Ukraine, Despite Threat of US Sanctions**
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed hopes for further peace talks with Ukraine, but stressed that his troops are “advancing on the entire front line” in the conflict-torn country. This statement comes despite the looming threat of US sanctions if a ceasefire is not agreed upon.
Speaking at the Valaam Monastery on an island in north-western Russia, Putin repeated his demands for Ukrainian neutrality and recognition of the occupied territories, which Ukraine views as a capitulation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to meet Putin “any time” for negotiations.
However, the tone of Putin’s comments suggests that Russia is not yet willing to commit to a long-term ceasefire. Instead, he appeared to suggest that any disappointments arise from inflated expectations, in an apparent reference to US President Donald Trump’s disappointment with Putin for not bringing an end to the war.
**Stalling Peace Negotiations?**
Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly accused Russia of stalling peace negotiations and rejecting any meaningful ceasefire. The two sides had agreed to swap several thousands of prisoners of war after three rounds of talks in Istanbul, Turkey, but no major breakthrough was achieved.
Zelensky questioned whether Russia is showing “serious readiness to end the war with dignity and establish a truly lasting peace” or if it’s just an attempt to buy more time for war and postpone sanctions. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its deadly drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, including a devastating aerial assault on Kyiv that killed at least 31 people.
**US Sanctions Threat**
The US has threatened new sanctions against Russia if a ceasefire is not agreed upon. Trump condemned Russia’s actions, calling them “disgusting”. The deadline for Russia to end the war was initially set at 50 days, then reduced to 10-12 days, but Putin has shown no sign of responding to these ultimatums.
Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko dismissed Trump’s deadline as unrealistic. Experience shows that Trump deadlines are not always set in stone, and it remains to be seen whether the White House will follow through on its threat of tougher sanctions if Russia doesn’t comply.
**A Durable Peace?**
Ukrainian officials have said they have received “positive signals” from the US about potential new sanctions. Senior US diplomat John Kelley told the UN Security Council that Russia and Ukraine “must negotiate a ceasefire and durable peace”.
It’s clear that the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance as both sides continue to engage in a delicate dance of diplomacy and military action. The path to a lasting peace remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the consequences of failure will be dire.
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