Putin Stalls Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Troop Buildup, Missile Strikes

President Donald Trump announced efforts to arrange direct talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of his push for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but Russia has made clear it will not meet until Ukraine agrees to Moscow's demands. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that security issues for Ukraine cannot be resolved without Russia's involvement, calling such attempts a 'road to nowhere,' while also questioning Zelenskyy's legitimacy due to postponed elections. Both Ukrainian and European officials express skepticism about Russia's intentions, with Finland's Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen stating that Russia is stalling to gain resilience and that peace talks should only occur when there is a real basis for agreement. Reports indicate Russia is continuing military buildup and assaults on Ukraine's southern front, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, further complicating peace efforts. Analysts warn that Russia may use prolonged negotiation tactics to delay substantive talks, with concerns that Trump might eventually withdraw from the peace process if the proposed summit fails to yield results. Overall, while Trump's diplomatic initiative has raised hopes, the situation remains tense and uncertain due to Russia's demands, military actions, and strategic delays.