Russia says it may agree to local humanitarian ceasefires but will not limit combat during planned trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States, AFP reported Monday.
Asked about further local pauses, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov replied, “For humanitarian purposes, absolutely.” He said the decision to resume talks among the three countries would place no restrictions on combat operations. Peskov added that Russian forces were continuing what he called “massive strikes” against Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
Separately, a truce was scheduled to start Tuesday in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine. U.S. first lady Melania Trump helped broker the arrangement, AFP reported. Residents had faced months of reported shortages of food, water and medicine.
AFP reported a rise in Russian drone and missile strikes in recent weeks, including attacks on energy facilities near major cities. Kyiv says the campaign aims to deprive the country of heat and electricity during winter. Attacks the previous year left millions without power or heating as temperatures fell to minus 20 C, AFP reported.
Russia and Ukraine are expected to meet U.S. envoys next month to discuss ending the war. AFP said earlier negotiating rounds had made little progress toward an agreement. Moscow seeks more territory in eastern Ukraine and broad limits on Kyiv’s military and political authority, AFP reported. Ukraine and its allies say those conditions amount to surrender and could leave the country exposed to another Russian attack.
EconoTimes has previously covered the proposed trilateral format for talks. The meeting with U.S. envoys is expected next month; AFP gave no specific date or location.
