The Kremlin announced on Thursday that new Ukrainian attacks have derailed the prospects for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov made these remarks after Moscow experienced one of the largest Ukrainian aerial assaults since the war began.
Kremlin Aide's Statement
Yuri Ushakov, a close advisor to Putin, stated that the recent escalation in hostilities makes it impossible to organize a summit. "These attacks set back the possibility of a meeting between the two presidents," Ushakov said in a press briefing. He emphasized that Russia remains open to dialogue but only under conditions that ensure its security interests.
Ukrainian Aerial Assault
The comments came after Ukraine launched a massive drone and missile attack on Moscow, causing damage to several buildings and disrupting air traffic. Russian air defense systems intercepted most of the projectiles, but debris fell in residential areas, injuring at least 12 people. This was described as one of the largest aerial operations by Ukraine since the conflict started in February 2022.
International Reactions
The United Nations called for de-escalation, while the European Union urged both sides to return to negotiations. However, Ukrainian officials stated that they would continue military operations until Russian forces withdraw from all occupied territories. The Kremlin insists that any meeting must address what it calls "special military operation" goals.
Analysts believe that the prospects for a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy remain slim, given the ongoing hostilities and mutual distrust. The last face-to-face talks occurred in March 2022 in Istanbul, which failed to produce a ceasefire.
