Despite holding peace talks in Turkey, the talks appear to have been a passing wind or just ‘empty talk’ as Russia has become increasingly ‘heated’ by Ukraine’s relentless attacks on Russia.
Most recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to retaliate against Ukraine after it launched a series of dramatic and unprecedented drone strikes on Russia’s nuclear bomber fleet and several strategic bases—attacks that came just before peace talks were scheduled to begin in Turkey.
In a 75-minute call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Putin described the Ukrainian attack as an “act of terrorism” and signaled that Moscow would respond harshly.
Trump, who is now trying to position himself as a war mediator, admitted that the talks “will not lead to peace in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has flatly rejected Russia’s peace proposal, calling it an “ultimatum” that Kyiv cannot accept.
Instead, he proposed an unconditional ceasefire and a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin.
However, Putin rejected the proposal outright, accusing the Ukrainian leadership of a “terrorist regime” and blaming the West for “sponsoring terrorism”.
Describing the Ukrainian government as “illegitimate” and “developing into a terrorist organization”, Putin dismissed any prospect of negotiations under the current circumstances.
Russia has now launched a series of missile strikes across Ukraine, while making small but steady advances in the Sumy region.
The United States and its allies appear increasingly divided on whether to side with Russia or Ukraine.
The UK and Germany have pledged to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine, with Britain promising to deliver 100,000 drones, but the absence of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a key NATO meeting in Brussels has raised questions.
The Trump administration has yet to confirm new military aid, leaving Ukraine’s defense future increasingly uncertain.
