"Russia maintains war demands despite Trump's sanctions warning"

Russia has expressed willingness to engage in peace discussions with Ukraine but maintains that its objectives must be met. The statement follows a recent declaration by Donald Trump, who set a 50-day deadline for a ceasefire, warning of stricter measures if no agreement is reached. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov repeated Russia’s conditions on Sunday, which include Ukraine withdrawing from territories annexed by Russia and abandoning its pursuit of NATO membership—terms rejected by Kyiv and its partners. “Our priority is to accomplish our goals,” Peskov stated in a televised interview.

Ukrainian officials suggested holding another round of negotiations this week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday. Meanwhile, Russian media reported that while no date has been finalized for the talks, Istanbul is likely to remain the venue. A week earlier, Trump threatened Russia with economic penalties unless a peace agreement was secured within 50 days. He also pledged increased military support for Ukraine, expressing disappointment over stalled efforts to resolve the conflict.

Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company, criticized recent EU sanctions on India’s Nayara Energy refinery, calling them baseless and unlawful. The sanctions, introduced as part of the EU’s 18th package of measures against Russia, seek to further pressure its energy sector. Rosneft, which owns a minority stake in Nayara, dismissed the EU’s reasoning as unfounded. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the sanctions as among the most stringent imposed on Russia, adding that continued pressure is intended to compel Moscow to change course.

In Ukraine, two women were injured in the Zaporizhzhia region after a drone hit their home on Sunday, according to regional authorities. Two other civilians were wounded in Kharkiv province when a drone struck an apartment building. Later that day, a drone attack in Sumy injured a woman and her son while also damaging a power line, leaving around 100 homes without electricity, officials reported.

Ukraine’s air force stated it intercepted 18 of 57 drones launched by Russia overnight, while seven others vanished from tracking systems. Russia’s defense ministry claimed its forces destroyed 93 Ukrainian drones, several of which were directed toward Moscow. Separately, ten more drones were reportedly downed near the Russian capital on Sunday. One struck an apartment in Zelenograd, causing property damage but no injuries, according to Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.