Overview

• President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine are close to finalizing a peace agreement, with core points reportedly agreed upon.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj acknowledged Ukraine's current inability to retake Crimea by force and expressed openness to a deal involving security guarantees.
• Kyiv is drafting a counter-proposal to the U.S.-led peace plan, which includes potential compromises on NATO membership and territorial claims.
• U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held another round of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, discussing the possibility of direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
• Despite ongoing diplomacy, Russian military strikes on Ukrainian regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, continue to result in civilian casualties.