Putin Ally Urges Ukraine War End Ahead Trump Talks

Dmitry Kozak, a longtime and trusted aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has privately urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine and initiate peace talks, presenting plans for ceasefire and internal reforms. Despite warning Putin before the 2022 invasion about possible fierce Ukrainian resistance and even attempting to negotiate a truce, Kozak has since lost influence over Ukrainian affairs, with others taking charge of the occupied territories. He remains in covert contact with foreign officials to gather support for ending the conflict, although Putin has steadfastly rejected unconditional ceasefire proposals, demanding that Ukraine make significant concessions including abandoning NATO aspirations and withdrawing from occupied regions. Meanwhile, Russian forces have recently intensified military pressure in eastern Ukraine, advancing near key locations and raising concerns about escalating demands on Ukraine, whose President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on a fair peace without territorial concessions. Ahead of the upcoming summit between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, Russian state media voices, such as Vladimir Solovyov, have downplayed hopes for an end to the war, suggesting the conflict will continue and even hinting at potential new military operations in other regions like the South Caucasus. The White House is considering inviting Zelensky to the Alaska talks, which could mark the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders since Trump resumed office, with high stakes for diplomacy amid ongoing hostilities.