Russia ‘Working On’ Peace as It Pummels Ukraine

Russia is still working on a draft peace accord with Ukraine, Kremlin officials said Monday, even as Moscow launched its deadliest aerial assault in the war’s three-year history, triggering renewed calls for sanctions and casting doubt on US President Donald Trump’s attempts to broker a ceasefire, Reuters reported. 

On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow had not yet submitted its draft memorandum, noting that “serious work is continuing” based on terms discussed during the May 16 talks in Turkey.  

The proposal reportedly hinges on a recent prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees from each side, which Moscow says marked “the first stage” toward a broader agreement.  

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Russia would finalize its peace draft once that swap was complete. 

While the prisoner exchange was completed Sunday, it was overshadowed by a series of Russian strikes: Between Sunday evening and Monday morning, Russia launched more than 360 drones and missiles across Ukraine – marking the largest drone assault since the war began in February 2022, according to the Ukrainian air force, as the Guardian reported. 

At least 12 people were killed – including children – and dozens were injured. 

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of acting with “total impunity,” while also criticizing “the silence of America” following the attacks.  

He also urged the United States and Europe to respond with “increased sanctions” against Moscow, including seizing Russian assets and halting its oil trade. 

European leaders and others have repeatedly questioned the Kremlin’s intention to end the war or reach a ceasefire deal, despite recent discussions between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. French President Emmanuel Macron called on Washington to back its diplomacy with the threat of “massive sanctions.”  

Analyst Elina Beketova of the Center for European Policy Analysis told Newsweek that Russia is “not interested in meaningful concessions” and will continue attacking Ukraine as it feigns interest in negotiations. 

Following the Russian strikes, Trump said on social media that Putin “has gone absolutely crazy,” adding the Russian leader is “needlessly killing a lot of people.”  

He also criticized Zelenskyy, claiming the Ukrainian leader “is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does.” 

On Sunday, the US president told reporters that he was considering new sanctions against Russia, but no new levies have been announced, Bloomberg added. 

Meanwhile, the Kremlin dismissed Trump’s remarks as “emotional overload” but welcomed his continued engagement in peace efforts, the BBC noted.