Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated ahead of a key meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that if Ukraine refuses a peace deal, Russia will pursue all military objectives by force.
Russia Threatens Military Action if Ukraine Rejects Peace Deal
Moscow: Amidst efforts to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, tensions appear to be escalating. A crucial meeting is scheduled for Sunday in Florida between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ahead of this meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning to Ukraine, stating that if a solution is not reached through a peace agreement, Russia will achieve all the objectives of its "special military operation" by military force.
According to the Russian state news agency, Putin said that Ukraine is not showing seriousness in pursuing a path to peace. He stated clearly that if Kyiv officials do not want to end the war through negotiations, Russia has military options available. Putin also reminded that he had made a similar statement a year ago during a speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Russia strikes Kyiv with missiles, drones amid Trump-Zelensky peace talks
The Russian president accused the current Ukrainian government of not showing any urgency regarding a peace agreement. According to him, the current situation proves that Kyiv's leaders are not making serious efforts to end the conflict peacefully. Putin's statement is being seen as a strategy to exert pressure ahead of the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting.
Putin's warning comes after Russia launched large-scale attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and surrounding areas. According to reports, hundreds of drones and several missiles were used in the overnight attacks. These attacks resulted in casualties and injuries. Following this, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that this prolonged attack indicates that Russia is not in the mood to end the war.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced that President Putin visited a Russian military command post, where Army Chief Valery Gerasimov and other senior officials briefed him on the situation on the ground. Russian authorities claim their forces have gained control of some new areas in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine.
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The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, scheduled for Sunday, is considered extremely important. The talks are expected to focus on potential ways to end the war that has been ongoing for nearly four years. According to sources, Ukraine's security guarantees, territorial disputes, and the future of areas like Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia will be key issues. The whole world is now watching this meeting to see if it will lead to any concrete steps towards ending the war.
