Washington predicts a « decisive week » for peace talks in Ukraine

Negotiations on Ukraine are coming into a « decisive week » today, the United States predicted. These hopes were expressed by US Secretary of State Marko Rubio, although fighting showed no signs of calm.

« Russia launched 150 drones and rockets on Sunday night, killing four people in eastern Ukraine, » Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said.

Moscow, on the other hand, announced a « complete release » of the Kurish area, which Ukraine denied.

« We are close (to an agreement), but not close enough, » US Secretary of State Marko Rubio told NBC television yesterday. « I think this week will be crucial, » he added.

Washington did not reveal details of its peace plan, but suggested that the front line be frozen and Kiev to give Russia in exchange for cessation of hostilities – a proposal that Kiev refuses to even discuss.

Contrary to Great’s statements, Trump said yesterday that he believes the Ukrainian leader is ready to give up Crimea.

– I think yes. That work with Crimea was 12 years ago – Trump said in response to a journalist’s question whether he believes Zelenski is ready to « hand over » the peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.

The US president has expressed doubts about Vladimir Putin’s readiness to end the war in recent days.

– I want him to stop shooting. Sit down and sign the deal – Trump insisted yesterday.

« We have the basis for an agreement, I believe it and I want it to sign it, » the US president added.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, for his part, said yesterday that Ukraine should not give up all the territories occupied by Russia, as Donald Trump would like.

« Ukraine, of course, has long known that ceasefire or lasting and credible peace treaty may include territorial concessions, » he said on ARD de.

« But they certainly won’t go so far – or they don’t have to go so far – as the latest proposal by the US president, » he added.

Russia occupies about 20 % of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.

On Saturday, Russian Chief of Staff Valeriy Gerasimov assured President Vladimir Putin that the Kurish area was completely « liberated » by the presence of Ukrainian troops.

The general particularly praised the « heroism » of North Korean troops fighting on the side of Russia – Moscow’s first official recognition for their participation in the war.

North Korea today confirmed for the first time the presence of its own troops in Russia to participate in « in the Kursk area » operations « within the framework of the mutual defense agreement between the two countries. The state -run KCTA agency assured that the military efforts of these troops were « crowned with victory ».