• Putin is open to peace talks but insists on achieving Russia's strategic goals.
• Trump has set a 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
• Russian officials have rejected accusations of stalling negotiations, while long-range attacks continue.
• Ukraine proposes new peace negotiations after previous talks failed to yield results.
• The Kremlin's main objectives include Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed territories and limits on its armed forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated a readiness to engage in peace talks regarding the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, yet Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Moscow's "main goal" remains paramount. Peskov clarified that while peace is desirable, it must be achieved on Russia's terms, a stance that aligns with Putin's long-stated objectives for the region, which were reiterated amid President Trump's threats of new sanctions if a ceasefire is not reached within 50 days, according to Reuters and India Times.

The Kremlin's position on peace talks comes amidst ongoing military actions, including intensified drone strikes across Ukraine, which the administration asserts are necessary to protect Russian interests. According to Peskov, pursuing a peaceful outcome for Ukraine is a "long process," complicated by external factors, thus Russia's military objectives remain influential in the negotiation landscape. He remarked, “The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,” as reported by TRT Global and Los Angeles Times.

In response to the stalled negotiations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for renewed discussions with Russian officials, with hopes to reinvigorate the peace process. However, the Kremlin insists that any potential deal must include significant concessions from Ukraine, such as withdrawal from regions annexed by Russia and a renouncement of NATO aspirations, fundamentally complicating any forthcoming agreements, as highlighted by both Los Angeles Times and The Hill.

As the 50-day deadline set by Trump approaches, he has reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to providing military support to Ukraine, including advanced weaponry, while expressing growing frustration with Moscow's actions. Trump warned of severe economic sanctions targeting Russia's trading partners unless a peace agreement is reached, further escalating the stakes in this protracted conflict, as detailed by Reuters, India Times, and The Hill.