Moscow appears to be taking a cautious approach towards reaching a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, as indicated by remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a recent interview with state media.
Negotiators from both Ukraine and Russia engaged in separate discussions with US officials in Geneva, as part of ongoing efforts initiated by President Donald Trump aimed at bringing an end to the hostilities.
Despite multiple rounds of talks, a definitive agreement has yet to be reached, with Moscow standing firm on demanding territorial and political concessions that Kyiv has refused to entertain, viewing them as surrender.
Russian officials reiterated that no specific deadlines have been set for reaching a deal. Lavrov was quoted by state news agencies emphasizing the focus on accomplishing tasks rather than adhering to timelines.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that it was premature to predict the progress or stage of the peace process.
Simultaneously, Russian airstrikes in various Ukrainian cities caused injuries to at least 23 individuals, including a child, according to officials.
Reports from the Ukrainian air force indicated the detection of high-speed targets approaching the capital just before Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed drone and ballistic missile strikes by Russia on the city.
Tkachenko urged residents to seek shelter until the all-clear was given, citing ongoing air defense operations. Damage assessments revealed fires and structural damage in multiple areas, including non-residential buildings and residential units.
While there were no reported casualties, emergency teams and investigators mobilized to secure the affected locations and assess the extent of the destruction.
The attacks were not limited to Kyiv, as the city of Kharkiv in the northeast and a nearby village witnessed 14 injuries, including a seven-year-old boy, as reported by regional chief Oleg Synegubov.
Further south in Zaporizhzhia, heavy bombardments resulted in seven injuries, with significant damage to residential buildings and other structures, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.
In Kryvyi Rig in the Dnipropetrovsk region, two individuals were wounded due to overnight strikes, prompting Poland to scramble fighter jets in response.
The escalation in violence coincided with Ukrainian negotiators meeting US officials in Geneva to discuss post-war reconstruction plans, including a proposed “prosperity package” aimed at revitalizing Ukraine’s economy, despite the ongoing stalemate in peace talks with Russia.
