Putin who does not swing from Trump’s ultimatum war

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed hopes for more peace talks with Ukraine – but stressed that his troops are “progressing all over the front line”, despite the threat of US sanctions on the onset of fire.

“All the disappointments arise from the inflated expectations,” Putin said, apparently referring to Trump’s “disappointment” with the Russian leader that he did not end the war.

Speaking the day after One of the most deadly Russian air attacks against KyivHe repeated his demands for Ukrainian neutrality and recognition of the occupied territories, which Ukraine views as capitulation.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said he was ready to meet Putin “at any time.”

Speaking on Friday at the Valam Monastery on an island in northwestern Russia, Putin said he expects negotiations with Ukraine to continue, adding that he was looking at “negotiations positively”.

But in a veiled reference to the increasing pressure from Ukraine and its Western allies to agree to the long -term ceasefire, he said: “As for any disappointment on the part of anyone, all disappointments arise from the inflated expectations.

“Our enemies and unscrupulous … now they have a fiery passion: to stop our advance (on the front line in Ukraine) at all costs.”

Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly accused Russia of stopping peace negotiations and rejection of a meaningful end of fire, saying that Moscow is trying to seize more Ukrainian territories.

Three rounds of Russia-Ukrana speak in Istanbul, Turkey, and in recent months have ended without a major breakthrough. However, the two countries agreed to exchange several thousand prisoners of war.

Speaking shortly after Putin’s comments, Zelenski asked whether Russia was “serious willingness to end the war with dignity and to establish a truly lasting peace” or whether it was “just an attempt to buy more time for war and delay sanctions.”

In recent weeks, Russia has strengthened its deadly strikes on drones and rockets in Ukraine.

On Thursday, at least 31 people – including five children – were killed in a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital.

US President Donald Trump has condemned Russia’s actions, threatening new sanctions.

“Russia, I think it’s disgusting what they are doing,” he told reporters.

When Trump announced his original 50-day period for Russia to end the war, Putin did not respond. When it was reduced to 10-12 days, Putin said nothing.

But on Friday, the Kremlin leader left a little doubt that he would not swing from the White House ultimatum.

Trump may claim to be “disappointed” by Putin that he has not made peace – but the Russian leader is unknown.

His guest on Valam Island, Belarus authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, was more directly in his dismissal at Trump’s deadline.

“50 days, 60 days, 10 days. You don’t make such a policy,” Lukashenko said.

Experience has shown that for Trump, the deadlines are not placed in stone. But at least on paper, its last deadline expires on August 8th.

If until then Russia has not signed up to the cessation of the fire in Ukraine, it will face more sanctions – so in theory the countries that buy Russian oil.

But judging by what the Russian state media has been saying in recent days, many in Moscow doubt that the White House will pass with its threat of more sanctions.

Moreover, what Putin said on Friday that Russia is progressing throughout the front line in Ukraine, he clearly believes that the cessation of fire is now not in the best interest of Moscow.

Ukrainian officials on Friday said Kiev had received “positive signals” from the United States for potential new sanctions.

A day earlier, US senior diplomat John Kelly told the UN Security Council that Russia and Ukraine “should negotiate the cessation of fire and lasting peace.”

“It’s time to make a deal,” he said.

Trump’s special prana Steve Vikof, who is currently in Israel, will visit Russia the next one, US president said earlier this week. It does not give more details.