"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Russian first responders are working on the site of the drone debris falling near Istra, Moscow Oblast, on Aug. 21, 2023. (Governor Andrey Vorobyov/Telegram)
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that two Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Moscow Oblast on the morning of Aug. 21.
Kyiv hasn't commented on the allegation.
One drone was neutralized by electronic warfare and fell near Pokrovskoe in the Ruza district, around 80 kilometers from Moscow, according to the ministry.
Another was reportedly shot down over the northwestern Istra district, closer to the city.
According to Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov, drone debris fell on a dacha (country house) near the town of Istra, injuring two people.
“Windows were also shattered in three houses. All emergency services are on site,” Vorobyov said on Telegram.
The Kyiv Independent is unable to verify any of those claims.
Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency said, as cited by BBC Russia, that flight restrictions were introduced at all four Moscow airports — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky.
Due to the attacks, 47 flights were redirected to alternate airfields, according to the Agency. As of 9 a.m. Moscow time, all airports have reportedly returned to regular operation.
Drone attacks against Moscow have intensified over recent weeks. Two drone strikes on the same target, the high-rise "Moscow City" building where several Russian ministries are housed, caused damage on July 30 and Aug. 1.
Russia usually blames the Ukrainian military for strikes on Russian soil, while Ukraine rarely claims direct responsibility.
In a video message on July 30, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it's natural and fair that the war is returning to Russian territory.
Daria Shulzhenko
