**Russia Plans New Offensive Operations in Ukraine, Says Zelensky**
In a stark warning to the international community, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia is “preparing new offensive operations” in its full-scale war against Ukraine. This comes after an intelligence briefing on May 26, where Zelensky received information about Russia’s intentions.
**Russia’s Intentions**
Kyiv has previously warned about the threat of a new major Russian offensive targeting Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring and summer. Despite making minimal territorial gains at great cost over the last several months, Moscow has doubled down on its maximalist objectives in recent peace talks.
**No Serious Interest in Peace Settlement**
Ukrainian intelligence reports confirm that Russia is not seriously interested in a peace settlement, according to Zelensky’s evening address on May 26. “We can see from the information that our intelligence is gathering and from open data that Putin and his entourage have no plans to end the war — there is no evidence that they are seriously considering peace and that they are seriously considering diplomacy,” he said.
**Pressure on Moscow**
Zelensky urged partner nations, including the U.S. and Europe, to apply “appropriate joint pressure” on Moscow in response to this new information. He called for new and strong sanctions against Russia to force Putin to accept a ceasefire and show respect for the diplomatic process.
**Recent Developments**
This latest warning from Zelensky comes after three nights of relentless Russian aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities, launched while the Kremlin drags its feet in delivering the terms of its proposed “memorandum” on a possible future peace settlement. The memorandum was Putin’s counteroffer after he again rejected a ceasefire in a two-hour phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19.
**Russia’s Delayed Response**
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia would only submit the draft “settlement document” after Ukraine and Russia concluded their 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, which was completed on May 25. Zelensky called attention to Russia’s delay in submitting the memorandum.
**Increased Pressure Needed**
Zelensky emphasized that Russia launched over 900 strike drones over the last three days, in addition to cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine is looking to increase its production of interceptor drones and direct additional funding to developing its ballistic missile program.
**Western Pressure Could Be Effective**
Officials and experts told The Washington Post on May 24 that Russia likely lacks the military capability to mount an offensive that could successfully break Ukraine’s lines. The decline in Russia’s military advantage could make coordinated Western pressure on the Kremlin more effective, officials said.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
