Overview

• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskow reiterated that any peace agreement must be negotiated directly with Ukraine, not the United States.
• Russia has declined Ukraine's proposal to extend a 30-day ceasefire, citing unresolved questions that need clarification before further steps.
• US President Donald Trump continues to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praising his efforts but acknowledging unresolved complexities.
• Domestic skepticism in Russia persists, with commentators warning against over-reliance on Trump's intentions and questioning the feasibility of a durable peace deal.
• Russian intelligence accused European NATO members of attempting to undermine Trump’s peace efforts, while Ukraine has yet to formally respond to Moscow’s call for direct talks.