Kremlin: Ukraine Peace Deal Remains Complex, Stalled

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that ending the Russia-Ukraine war will be a lengthy process due to complex details and unresolved issues that negotiators must address before a peace deal can be reached. Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to a ceasefire and direct talks without preconditions, but insists on safeguarding Russian national interests and addressing security concerns, such as Ukraine's NATO aspirations. U.S. President Donald Trump, who made a swift settlement a central campaign promise, has admitted frustration over the slow progress and now acknowledges that achieving peace is proving more difficult than expected. Trump has criticized both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Putin for prolonging the conflict, while U.S. officials warn that without concrete proposals from both sides, Washington may withdraw its mediation and military support. Meanwhile, civilian casualties in Ukraine have surged recently, and Russia has rejected a proposed 30-day U.S. ceasefire, tying any pause in fighting to conditions on Ukrainian mobilization and Western arms deliveries. Western leaders accuse Russia of stalling peace talks to consolidate territorial gains, with nearly a fifth of Ukraine now under Russian control since the 2022 invasion.