Russia-Ukraine war: Europe blames Putin – not going to stop

At the same time as the political stagnation, there were dramatic developments on the battlefield. According to an analysis by the Institute of War Research, Ukrainian forces managed to recapture about 202 square kilometers in five days on the southeastern front. This is Kiev’s fastest advance in years, and is attributed to exploiting disruptions in the Russian military’s command and communication systems.

President Zelensky described the negotiations as “difficult” and compared the pressure to cede territory to the Munich Agreement of 1938. The main bone of contention remains Russia’s demand for full control of the Donbas region, a demand that Ukraine rejects outright. In addition, a few days ago, Zelensky revealed that his intelligence officials reported talks between the US and Russia regarding bilateral cooperation deals worth about 12 trillion dollars, a proposal designed, according to estimates, to wink at Russian oligarchs and President Trump.