From the Guardian · · 2m
Putin rejects Ukraine peace terms as Starlink fails again
Russian president demands full control of four regions and warns against foreign troops, while Ukraine's military faces fresh satellite disruptions.
In brief
Russian president demands full control of four regions and warns against foreign troops, while Ukraine's military faces fresh satellite disruptions. Putin rejected softening territorial demands and warned Russia would target foreign troops in Ukraine, dampening peace hopes as Starlink service disrupted Ukrainian…
Putin's demands in Moscow talks
During talks with US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Thursday, Vladimir Putin insisted on full control over four Ukrainian regions Moscow claims to have annexed.
Putin rules out foreign peacekeepers
Putin ruled out accepting foreign peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, describing such a move as a continuation of war and warning Russia would target any foreign troops deployed there.
“continuation of war”
Peace hopes dampened
Putin's hardline remarks severely dampened hopes for a peace deal, despite Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying there was a window of opportunity to reach an agreement before the end of twenty twenty-six.
“window of opportunity”
Europe debates single negotiator
Putin and Washington urged European leaders to appoint a single representative to lead negotiations.EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested she and António Costa represent the bloc, but EU leaders declined to nominate one person.
“Once a representative is appointed, a chief negotiator authorised to speak on Europe's behalf, there will be a four-way dialogue”
Kallas warns against distraction
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia already has agreements to keep, pointing to the Helsinki accords and Budapest memorandum. She called focusing on European security architecture a distraction without a ceasefire.
“We already have a European security architecture in place”
Starlink speed limits hit Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service of damaging Ukraine's defence after military officials reported Starshield, the Pentagon-funded military version, faced speed limits of one hundred sixty-one kilometres per hour along the frontline.
Restrictions hamper drone defence
The speed limits made it harder for Ukrainian forces to intercept Russia's increasingly sophisticated jet-powered drones.Zelenskyy said the restrictions appeared deliberate rather than a technical fault and accused Starlink of helping Russians kill more Ukrainians.
“helping the Russians kill more Ukrainians and carry out more accurate strikes against Ukraine”
Kyiv seeks explanation from Washington
Kyiv has contacted Washington to seek an explanation for the Starlink disruption. Similar restrictions last month prompted confusion over who ordered them, with Musk and the Trump administration pointing fingers at each other.
In short
Putin rejected softening territorial demands and warned Russia would target foreign troops in Ukraine, dampening peace hopes as Starlink service disrupted Ukrainian military operations.
