Despite renewed efforts to broker peace in Istanbul, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to continue drone strikes on Russian military targets unless Moscow halts its offensive. Monday’s talks — the latest round of U.S.-mediated negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s three-year-old invasion — ended with no agreement on a ceasefire, leaving the conflict deadlocked and tensions high.
Ukraine’s negotiating team, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, demanded a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to allow for prisoner exchanges, the return of abducted children, and humanitarian relief. Russia’s delegation, led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, offered only a limited two- to three-day truce in certain areas to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers, falling far short of Ukraine’s demands. Moscow’s core conditions — including the annexation of occupied Ukrainian regions, recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, Ukraine’s demilitarization, and a permanent block on its NATO membership — remain unchanged.
The lack of progress underscores the deep divisions between the two sides. “Unless they stop, we will continue,” Zelenskyy said Monday, referencing Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Russian air bases. Over the weekend, Ukrainian forces carried out one of the most audacious strikes of the war, using drones smuggled deep into Russian territory to target long-range bombers responsible for attacks on Ukrainian cities. According to Ukrainian officials, the operation damaged or destroyed more than 40 military aircraft, including bombers that had launched cruise missile strikes. Zelenskyy claimed that 34% of Russia’s cruise missile-carrying aircraft were hit, significantly reducing Moscow’s offensive capability.
Russia’s Defense Ministry called the attack a “terrorist operation,” but acknowledged that several aircraft had caught fire. Videos published by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) showed damage at airfields in Irkutsk and Murmansk. Meanwhile, Russia responded overnight with a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukrainian cities, with Ukraine’s air force reporting 80 drones and four missiles launched, of which 52 drones were shot down. Russia claimed it had intercepted 162 Ukrainian drones overnight across nine regions.
Zelenskyy’s remarks followed a tense exchange with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz, in which he dismissed concerns that Ukraine’s attacks might anger Russia. “Russia’s being enraged or not enraged — this is something we’re not interested in,” he said, pointing to Russia’s massive drone assault on Ukraine the night before. “This is happening daily,” he added, calling Ukraine’s drone strike a “strategic operation” that reduces Russia’s military potential and demonstrates Ukraine’s capability to respond.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which has been mediating the peace talks, has so far failed to bring the sides closer together. Zelenskyy urged Trump to take “strong steps” to pressure Russia, including supporting sanctions and demanding an immediate ceasefire. Trump has publicly criticized both Putin and Zelenskyy in recent weeks, calling Putin “absolutely crazy” while saying that Zelenskyy “better stop” making comments that could derail negotiations. Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, acknowledged growing frustration with Moscow’s position.
The current round of negotiations comes at a time when both sides are bracing for escalation. Ukrainian lawmakers warn that Putin is using the talks to avoid new sanctions while preparing a summer offensive aimed at capturing more territory in eastern Ukraine. “Putin is not interested in negotiations and a ceasefire, because he hopes to start an offensive during summer,” said Oleksandr Merezhko, head of Ukraine’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee. He also warned that if Trump pulls out of the negotiations, Ukraine could find itself facing Russia alone.
Ukraine’s military is also bracing for retaliation. Ivan Stupak, a former SBU officer, said he expects Russia to respond with mass drone attacks on Ukrainian cities or even ballistic missile strikes. Meanwhile, long-range drone and missile attacks continued overnight into Monday, highlighting the war’s grinding nature.
Addressing European allies at a summit in Lithuania on Monday, Zelenskyy framed Ukraine’s drone attack as a defensive measure and a diplomatic lever. “Russia must realize what it means to suffer losses. That is what will push it toward diplomacy,” he said. He called the moment “a challenge and also a real opportunity for all of us,” underscoring Ukraine’s determination to continue fighting — and negotiating — until Russia halts its offensive.
