Russia rejects Ukrainian, European peace initiatives, says battlefield will decide war

(Tim Zadorozhnyy – The Kyiv Independent) Senior Russian officials on June 8 effectively rejected recent Ukrainian and European proposals aimed at restarting negotiations to end Russia’s full-scale war, signaling that Moscow remains focused on battlefield gains rather than diplomacy. The remarks came after President Volodymyr Zelensky called for renewed talks with Russia and European leaders outlined a framework for a future settlement. In an open letter, Zelensky urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue bilateral negotiations and proposed a meeting between the two leaders. The initiative was later echoed by the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, who issued a joint statement on June 7 outlining five conditions they said were necessary for a “just and lasting peace.” –  Russia rejects Ukrainian, European peace initiatives, says battlefield will decide war