Recent whispers of potential peace talks to end the conflict in Ukraine, fueled in part by former President Trump’s optimistic claims, have been met with a harsh dose of reality from Moscow. Trump had suggested on Tuesday that U.S. negotiators were making progress and and that the Kremlin had even agreed to *some* unspecified concessions.
However, Russian officials quickly poured cold water on these hopes. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, was unequivocal, stating, “There can be no talk of any concessions or surrender of our approaches to the key aspects of resolving the problems facing us, including in the context of the special operation [in Ukraine].” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov further reinforced this stance, calling any talk of a peace deal “premature.” It seems clear: Moscow isn’t backing down from its core demands.
Meanwhile, as these diplomatic denials echoed, the war on the ground continued with brutal intensity. Overnight, Russia launched a massive drone attack across Ukraine, with the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia bearing a particularly heavy impact. This devastating assault left 19 people wounded, sparked multiple fires, and severely damaged numerous apartment buildings and vehicles. Regional governor Ivan Fedorov described a desperate scene, with a “rescue operation currently underway at 12 locations” as emergency services scrambled to aid the victims and contain the destruction.
Despite the relentless onslaught, Ukraine’s air force reported a remarkable defense. They managed to shoot down an impressive 72 out of 90 drones and two ballistic missiles launched by Russia in the country-wide attack. This stark contrast between political statements and the grim reality of the ongoing conflict serves as a sobering reminder: while words about peace are spoken, the people of Ukraine continue to face daily barrages, underscoring that an end to the fighting remains a distant prospect.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/11/26/world-news/russia-defies-trump-ukrainians-pummeled-in-fresh-strikes/
