Russia Demands Ukraine Troop Withdrawal Before Ceasefire Talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not withdraw its troops from its own territory under any conditions, emphasizing the defense of the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russian negotiators at recent peace talks in Istanbul demanded that Ukraine pull back troops from regions claimed by Moscow before agreeing to a ceasefire, a proposal Ukraine rejects as it sees it as a precondition that undermines genuine peace efforts. The talks, the first face-to-face meeting since March 2022, lasted under two hours and resulted only in a prisoner exchange agreement, with no ceasefire or territorial concessions agreed upon. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified military operations near the Russian border, specifically in the Kursk and Sumy regions, redeploying elite forces and conducting heavy airstrikes, though Ukrainian forces have made gains by moving the front into Russian territory. Zelensky called for stronger international sanctions on Moscow following a deadly Russian drone attack on civilians in the Sumy region, insisting that without increased pressure, Russia will not pursue real diplomacy. Both sides, supported by the United States and Western allies, continue to grapple with the conditions and willingness to negotiate a genuine ceasefire.