Russia Surrounds Ukrainian Troops in Kupiansk amid US Sanctions Dispute

Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain stalled despite efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump, who postponed a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to avoid "wasteful" discussions. Russia asserts it seeks a peaceful solution but demands respect for its interests and resolution of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis, while condemning recent U.S. sanctions as hostile moves that damage prospects for restoring relations. On the battlefield, Russian forces claim to have surrounded significant Ukrainian troops in strategic locations such as Kupiansk and Pokrovsk, with Putin urging the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers to minimize casualties. Meanwhile, the Kremlin accuses Ukraine of unwillingness to continue peace negotiations, characterizing the process as a "prolonged pause," and promises a strong response to any attempts to strike deep into Russian territory, not just to Western missile supplies. The overall situation highlights ongoing military tensions, diplomatic deadlock, and mutual accusations between Moscow and Kyiv amid the broader conflict in Ukraine.