Putin ‘ready for peace talks’ with major conditions

WorldPolitics
21 Jul 2025 • 3:11 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Vladimir Putin is reportedly open to peace talks with Ukraine following a suggestion from Volodymyr Zelensky, though the Kremlin insists on achieving its objectives, including Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed territories and renouncing NATO membership.
  • Zelensky's offer for new peace talks comes after Donald Trump set a 50-day deadline for a ceasefire or face sanctions, threatening severe tariffs on Russia's trading partners and increased US military aid to Ukraine.
  • Russia launched at least 57 Iranian-made Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian forces shooting down 18; drone strikes injured two women in Zaporizhzhia and two civilians in Kharkiv.
  • Ukraine conducted a drone strike across Russia, causing 140 flight cancellations and the closure of Moscow's four major airports.
  • Russia's defence ministry claimed its forces shot down 93 Ukrainian drones targeting Russian territory, including at least 15 aimed at Moscow.

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