This Monday's call between Putin and Trump has not changed anything in the Ukraine war. Drones and missiles continue to fall on Ukrainian territory, and Kiev continues to attack Russian regions. The President of the United States seems to no longer trust in a quick solution mediated by himself for the conflict and has passed the 'hot potato' to the new Pope Leon XIV, who has confirmed to the Italian Government that he is willing to host the next round of talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Vladimir Putin, who visited the Kursk region for the first time since the expulsion of Ukrainian forces this Wednesday, stated after the two-hour call that he was willing to draft a memorandum with Ukraine on a peace agreement. Trump also spoke with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, who explained that they were considering the Vatican, Turkey, or Switzerland as possible negotiating venues, along with several European leaders.
Another night of drone launches has been experienced on the front. Russian air defenses shot down 159 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions early this morning. Most of them were over western regions of Russia, but at least six were shot down over the Moscow region.
Kremlin Denies Trying to Delay Peace Process to Gain Time
The Kremlin stated today that "nobody is interested" in delaying the peaceful settlement process in Ukraine, after European countries approved sanctions against Russia for not declaring a ceasefire. "Nobody is interested in delaying the process. Everyone is working actively," said Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, in his daily phone press conference, as reported by Efe.
Peskov responded to the question of when Moscow will present the memorandum that Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed by phone this Monday with US President Donald Trump.
Russia Welcomes Any Country, Including the Vatican, to Contribute to Peace
Russia welcomed today the willingness of any country to contribute to a "prompt" peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, referring to the Vatican's readiness to host the next round of negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians, as reported by Efe.
At the same time, he emphasized that a decision has not yet been made on the venue for the next negotiations, as it is up to "all interested parties."
Russia Sentences Crimean to 18 Years in Prison for Transporting Explosives on Ukraine's Orders
The Supreme Court of the annexed Crimea sentenced a resident of Sevastopol to 18 years in prison for high treason and for transporting explosives on the orders of Ukrainian intelligence, according to the regional branch of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), as reported by Efe.
Anti-Aircraft Defenses Shoot Down Three Ukrainian Drones Heading to Moscow
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down three drones heading to Moscow on Wednesday, as reported by Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the Russian capital, according to Efe.
According to Defense, a total of 204 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down since last night, with 39 of them during the last hours.
Russia Says It Will Defend Navigation of Its Ships by All Means Available
Russia warned on Wednesday that it will defend the navigation of its ships by all means available, always within the framework of international law, following recent incidents in the Baltic Sea, as reported by Efe.
Kremlin Calls for Resuming Strategic Dialogue with US in Response to 'Golden Dome' Project
The Kremlin called on Wednesday for the resumption of dialogue on strategic security with the United States following the project announced by US President Donald Trump to build the "Golden Dome" missile system, as reported by Efe.
At the same time, he emphasized that the creation of an antimissile system is a "sovereign matter" of the United States.
Kyiv Reports Drone Attack on Russian Missile Component Factory
Ukraine reported on Wednesday a drone attack on various infrastructures of the Russian military industry that targeted a factory producing components for tanks, missiles, and electronic systems located in the Oryol region in western Russia, as reported by Efe.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the infrastructure is one of the most important in the Russian military industry and supplies components to at least 19 factories producing, among other things, Sukhoi aircraft and Iskander and Kinzhal missiles.
Ukrainian Accused of High Treason Shot Dead in Spain
Andriy Portnov, a 52-year-old Ukrainian accused of high treason in his country, was shot dead this morning after receiving five shots near the American College in Pozuelo de Alarcón, a municipality in Madrid. The victim had taken his children to the educational center.
The deceased, a former advisor to former Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych, apparently worked in support of Russia, which has been in a war for over three years after invading the former Russian republic. He also had a history of embezzlement and could be linked to organized crime.
Beijing Opposes EU Sanctions on Russia Affecting Chinese Companies
China expressed its "firm opposition" on Wednesday to the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia, which affect Chinese entities that allegedly supply critical components to the Russian army, as reported by Efe.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in a press conference that the EU has a "double standard" in its economic and trade relations with Russia, claiming that "most countries, including Europeans and the United States, continue to trade with Russia."
Ukraine to Ask EU to Lead Sanctions Against Russia Amid US Hesitation
Ukraine will ask the EU next week to consider significant new measures to isolate Moscow, including the confiscation of Russian assets and imposing sanctions on some buyers of Russian oil, as US President Donald Trump has backed away from toughening sanctions, as reported by Reuters.
An unpublished Ukrainian white paper, to be presented to the EU, urges the 27-member bloc to take a more aggressive and independent stance on sanctions, while uncertainty remains about Washington's future role. Among the 40 pages of recommendations were calls to adopt legislation that would streamline the EU's seizure of assets from sanctioned individuals and send them to Ukraine. Those subject to sanctions could then seek compensation from Russia.