Russia faces return of wars horrors as Ukraine gains momentum

Russian President Putin Hints at Peace Talks Amid Economic Crisis and Humanitarian Strains

Moscow, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to resume peace talks with Ukraine, citing the country’s economic struggles and humanitarian situation. The decision comes as Ukraine faces widespread shortages of food, petrol, and other essential supplies due to ongoing strikes on oil refineries and fuel storage sites.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian drones have targeted Yekaterinburg, a city in the Urals region over 1,800km from the Ukrainian border, causing significant disruptions to local life. The city’s airport has been shut down multiple times since the first attack, with residents expressing concerns about dwindling food supplies and rising prices.

Putin stated that Russia is willing to engage in peace talks based on the Istanbul agreements reached in 2022. However, observers believe that Kyiv may reject most of Russia’s demands as unrealistic, and that Putin’s primary goal is to buy time.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops have made significant gains against Russian forces, including a recent operation that successfully repelled a larger Russian army from northern Ukraine. This development has led to an increase in desertions among Russian soldiers, with some estimates suggesting that hundreds of men are seeking to flee the war zone.

Moscow’s demands for peace include de-Nazification of Ukraine, demilitarization, and recognition of Crimea as part of Russia. The city also calls for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to step down, citing his term having expired.

Source: Al Jazeera