After a three-day ceasefire, the Kremlin expects negotiations to resume soon regarding an end to the war in Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin's representative for negotiations, stated that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US Donald Trump, will be coming to Moscow "quite soon." However, he did not specify a concrete date.
Ushakov emphasized that Russia is ready to end the war, provided Ukraine withdraws its forces from the Donbas region. "They know in Ukraine that they have to do this – and they will do it sooner or later anyway," Ushakov said. However, this condition is categorically rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The focus is on the Donetsk region, which is largely occupied by Russia. Zelensky rebuffs the demand to surrender the strategically important cities of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk without a fight, as Russian troops have not yet managed to advance into these cities. The situation remains tense, with both sides reporting massive violations of the ceasefire.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported over 16,000 violations, while the Ukrainian General Staff spoke of more than 150 attacks from Russia. In Kharkiv, a drone was spotted in a residential block, resulting in five injuries, including two children. However, these figures are hardly verifiable from independent sources.
Additionally, rumors are circulating in Moscow about a possible coup involving former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. However, he is considered isolated within the power apparatus and perceived as a distraction.
