Putin not swayed by Trump’s Ukraine war ultimatum

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to further peace talks with Ukraine but emphasized that Russian forces are advancing along the entire front. His comments followed a deadly missile strike on Kyiv and came amid U.S. threats of new sanctions if a ceasefire isn’t reached soon. Putin reiterated demands Ukraine sees as surrender—neutrality and recognition of occupied territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he’s ready to meet Putin but questioned Russia’s sincerity, the BBC has reported. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned Russia’s actions and set an August 8 deadline for a ceasefire, warning of further sanctions, though Moscow remains skeptical of U.S. follow-through.