A meeting between Trump and Putin is not currently considered

A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is not currently being planned due to unresolved tensions, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on June 19.

While Trump has expressed interest in face-to-face talks to end the war in Ukraine, Peskov said it’s premature until key bilateral issues are resolved. Recent diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia stalled, with Moscow blaming Washington for canceling the next round.

Despite Trump’s initially softer stance on Russia, he has recently criticized Moscow’s refusal to agree to a truce. However, his administration has not imposed new sanctions, prompting calls from Ukraine for stronger action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that continued U.S. silence only emboldens Putin, especially after a Russian strike on Kyiv killed 28 people and injured over 130.

Ukraine must accept Moscow's demands or surrender - Russia’s ambassador to UK

Russia’s ambassador to the U.K., Andrei Kelin, warned that Ukraine must accept Moscow’s terms to end the war or face further military advances and eventual "surrender," in a June 18 interview with CNN.

Kelin dismissed U.S.-backed ceasefire efforts, saying Russia is on the offensive and gaining ground, claiming 600 km² taken in May, though independent sources report closer to 449 km².

He issued an ultimatum: accept a ceasefire now or face harsher conditions later. Moscow's demands include Ukrainian recognition of Russia’s claimed annexations, full military withdrawal from those regions, NATO neutrality, and alleged rights guarantees for Russian-speaking minorities — demands Kyiv and the West reject as pretexts for war.

Despite talk of a third negotiation round, no date is confirmed. Kelin insisted the war is not straining Russia’s economy, claiming it uses just 5–7% of its budget — around $126 billion — on the war. However, there is now independent verification of these numbers.

Russia has been ignoring a ceasefire proposal for 100 days – Ukraine's FM

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reminded that Russia has ignored a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire for 100 days, despite Kremlin claims about readiness for peace talks.

Sybiha noted on X that Ukraine accepted the proposal unconditionally, while Russia continued to escalate its attacks.

"Ukraine remains committed to peace. Unfortunately, Russia continues to choose war," he said, emphasizing that only "peace through force"—stronger sanctions and more support for Ukraine—can stop Russian aggression.

Putin held a press conference and affirmed his previous points of view on the war in Ukraine

Last night, on June 18, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the heads of major international news agencies, marking a significant public address. During the conference, Putin expressed readiness for peace talks with Ukraine, emphasizing his willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, though he questioned Zelensky's "legal legitimacy" due to the ongoing martial law in Ukraine. He reiterated Russia's adherence to the principles of the Istanbul negotiations, suggesting that failure to reach an agreement could worsen Ukraine's situation.

Putin highlighted the strategic partnership with China, noting joint investment projects worth $200 billion that are set to be implemented, alongside growing interest in the Chinese language in Russia. He also addressed global concerns, dismissing claims of Russia planning to attack NATO as "nonsense" and asserting that the decision to use military force in Ukraine was not a precursor to aggression against Eastern Europe.

Additionally, Putin offered to mediate Tehran's interests in the nuclear sphere and indicated Moscow's interest in improving relations with American businesses. The conference also touched on humanitarian efforts, with Putin stating Russia is prepared to transfer 3,000 more bodies of the deceased, likely related to ongoing conflict casualties.

The event, described by some as a staged performance, reflected Putin's defiant stance, blending diplomatic overtures with demands that could be interpreted as calls for Ukraine's capitulation, though the overall tone suggested a mix of compromise and strategic posturing amid ongoing tensions.

Russian President claimed readiness for the new round of peace talks with Ukraine after June 22.

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