Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a significant statement, accusing Ukraine of being in no hurry to reach a peace agreement. This declaration comes alongside a major military announcement from Moscow, claiming the capture of two more Ukrainian towns.
Putin's Accusation and the Stalled Peace Process
Speaking at a press conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, President Putin directly addressed the state of negotiations to end the ongoing war. He stated that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that was currently uninterested in serious peace talks. Putin claimed that Kyiv's position had shifted after a conference in Switzerland, suggesting they were now delaying the process.
"After this conference, they themselves refused," Putin said, referring to a recent international meeting on Ukraine. He emphasized that Russia was ready for dialogue but placed the onus on the Ukrainian leadership to resume discussions. This narrative frames Russia as a willing participant for peace, a point often contested by Ukraine and its Western allies.
Russia Announces New Territorial Gains
Concurrent with Putin's diplomatic remarks, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced fresh battlefield successes. Russian forces claimed to have taken full control of the towns of Myrnohrad and Huliaipole in eastern Ukraine. The capture of these settlements represents a continued, albeit slow, advance by Russian troops along the front lines.
Myrnohrad, previously known as Dymytrov, is a town in the Donetsk region. Huliaipole is located in the Zaporizhzhia region and has been a frontline town for a considerable time. These gains, while tactically important, are part of a grinding war of attrition that has characterized the conflict in recent months.
The Context and International Reaction
Putin's comments follow a major international summit on peace for Ukraine, held in Switzerland over the weekend. Notably, Russia was not invited to that gathering. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders used the platform to rally support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and a peace plan based on Zelenskyy's formula.
The Russian leader's statement is widely seen as an attempt to control the narrative around peace efforts, positioning Ukraine as the obstructive party. Meanwhile, the announcement of new territorial captures serves a dual purpose: boosting domestic morale and demonstrating military momentum despite international pressure and sanctions.
The situation presents a complex picture of simultaneous military action and diplomatic posturing. While Russia talks of being open to negotiations, it continues to pursue its objectives on the ground. Ukraine, for its part, insists that any meaningful peace must be based on the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of its 1991 borders.
As the war drags on, the gap between the two sides' conditions for peace remains vast. Putin's latest remarks and the reported military advances suggest that a diplomatic breakthrough is not imminent, and the conflict is likely to continue its costly trajectory.
