Russia has rejected renewed appeals for a ceasefire as its military continues to advance in Ukraine. Speaking during a visit to China after attending a large-scale military parade, President Vladimir Putin said Moscow would pursue all of its goals through force if Kyiv does not agree to a settlement.
The parade was widely viewed as a symbolic challenge to the US-led global order. While former US President Donald Trump has urged Putin to end the conflict, Putin praised Trump’s “genuine efforts” but stopped short of making concessions.
In Kyiv, UK Defence Secretary John Healey told the BBC that Trump had at least managed to bring Putin into discussions, but more steps might be needed. Healey emphasized that Britain and other allies were ready to increase sanctions on Russia and expand military assistance to Ukraine to ensure it can continue resisting.
Last month, Trump attempted to ease Russia’s international isolation by hosting Putin in Alaska. He also pushed for a potential meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Putin, however, cast doubt on the usefulness of such talks. He said a meeting would only be worthwhile if it was properly prepared, adding that Zelensky could visit Moscow — something Ukraine’s foreign ministry immediately dismissed as unacceptable.
Ukrainian leaders continue to highlight Putin’s unwillingness to meet directly, pressing Trump to consider stronger sanctions and greater defense aid.
When asked later, Trump told reporters at the White House that Putin already “knows where I stand” on the conflict. He pushed back against criticism that he has been too lenient, pointing to sanctions imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil. Trump made the comments while hosting Poland’s newly elected President Karol Nawrocki.
