Three Killed in Russian Attacks Amid Zelenskyy-Trump Vatican Talks

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has reiterated that Russia is willing to end the war in Ukraine if Ukrainian forces withdraw from the four regions Russia claims to have annexed—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia—asserting these territories are now enshrined in Russia’s constitution. Peskov emphasized that hostilities would cease immediately if Ukraine complies, and that Moscow also seeks Ukraine’s neutrality and recognition of the current territorial realities. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has firmly rejected these conditions, demanding a full and unconditional ceasefire before any negotiations on political or territorial matters. Meanwhile, the United States has reportedly presented a peace plan involving recognition of Russian control over the contested regions, but Zelenskyy remains opposed to ceding any territory. Despite these diplomatic overtures, Russian forces continue missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Both Moscow and Washington signal willingness to negotiate, but a diplomatic breakthrough remains elusive due to fundamental disagreements over territory and sovereignty.