Russia Opens Door to Talks, Says Europe Must Stop Ultimatums

Russia has said it is ready to talk with European nations but will not accept demands that force it into a corner. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that the world faces many complex problems, and these need conversation. He added that Europeans often think they can win talks by putting Russia in a weak spot, which he says is wrong. He called this approach “the biggest mistake” and warned it would lead nowhere. The leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has also said that he is open to discussions. He believes Europeans should make the first move because they are the ones who cut ties. Since the war began, the European Union has imposed 20 rounds of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. After staying away from talks for over a year, the EU has started to reach out cautiously. The office of European Council President Antonio Costa said it had made brief diplomatic contacts with the Kremlin to open communication channels. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker urged the EU to use the current momentum around peace talks in Ukraine to push for negotiations with Putin.Peskov said Russia would talk if Europeans were willing to engage in real dialogue instead of making moral judgments or issuing ultimatums. He pointed out that the EU’s new approach shows some divisions, as not all leaders agreed on how to handle the situation. Some EU officials believe more pressure should be applied instead of opening talks. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims its drone attacks are turning the tide of the war. The drones target Russian ports, refineries, and other key infrastructure. Moscow denies that these attacks are significant and says it will keep fighting if no diplomatic solution is found. The governor of the Moscow region reported that a young girl was killed in a recent drone strike on the capital. The Kremlin said it is taking measures to reduce damage and will continue its attacks.