Putin masses 50,000 troops on Ukraine's north front as Trump again agrees to meet Russian, Ukrainian leaders
Share this @internewscast.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stationed around 50,000 troops near Ukraine’s northern border, even though both the U.S. and Ukraine are jointly urging Moscow to participate in substantial ceasefire talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned on Wednesday that Putin is gearing up for a large-scale summer assault, aiming to drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia’s Kursk region and initiate a fresh incursion into Ukraine’s Sumy region — just 200 miles from Kyiv, the capital city.

This week, Zelenskyy reinforced his willingness to engage in direct discussions with Putin and suggested that if a one-on-one meeting is not agreeable for the Kremlin leader, then a trilateral meeting including President Donald Trump could be an alternative.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy surrounded by media

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, on May 16. (Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The movement of Russian troops comes as Putin looks to create a roughly 6-mile wide “buffer zone,” which Moscow reportedly has been attempting to carry out since 2024, but which was thwarted by Ukraine’s Kursk invasion. 

Implementing a buffer zone on Ukraine’s northern territory will likely be used as a bargaining chip if Moscow engages in ceasefire negotiations, which Kyiv has said Russia has failed to do in good faith after delegations from both sides met in Istanbul earlier this month, but failed to advance peace talks. 

Ukrainian T64 battle tank fires

A Ukrainian T64 battle tank fires on a Russian troop position in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Jan. 9, 2024. (Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Russia late on Wednesday suggested a second Istanbul meeting, where it said it would present its “memorandum” of ceasefire terms.

Ukraine has thus far not accepted another meeting with Russia and on Thursday said Moscow “promised” to supply its memorandum ahead of any future talks. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting at desk

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets a Russian delegation and some officials ahead of the Istanbul talks in Moscow on May 14. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“They are scared to share it because they filled the document with ultimatums and demands,” Tykhyi said Thursday. “They understand this document is needed not to advance the peace process but to stall.”

Tykhyi argued that “[i]f they have nothing to hide, if this document is workable” then there “should be no problem in sharing the document,” which he said is needed to ensure the negotiating parties can achieve a “meaningful result.”

Ukraine has already submitted their ceasefire terms. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Fifth paralyzed patient implanted with Musk-backed Neuralink chip

Neuralink Installs Brain Chip in Fifth Paralyzed Patient

A fifth paralyzed patient has been implanted with a Neuralink chip backed…
Texas flood: Search for missing flood victims is personal for local volunteers in Hunt

Search for Missing Flood Victims in Texas Becomes Personal for Hunt Volunteers

HUNT, Texas (KTRK) — Crews from various regions are aligning along the…
Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier in the English Channel.

Russia’s Sole Ailing Aircraft Carrier, Once Struggling Through the Channel, Set to Be Retired

VLADIMIR Putin’s only rustbucket aircraft carrier that struggled through the Channel is…
Ovidio Guzmán López, son of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman, expected to plead guilty in Chicago court Friday

Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of drug kingpin ‘El Chapo’, anticipated to enter a guilty plea in Chicago court this Friday

CHICAGO (WLS) — The son of convicted Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El…

Hakeem Jeffries discreetly removes Instagram photos following Photoshop mishaps with his waistline

A TOP Democrat has been blasted for posting what appear to be…
ABC News holds NAHJ reception at ABC7 Chicago amid 2025 National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference and Expo

ABC News Hosts Reception in Chicago for Hispanic Journalists During 2025 NAHJ Conference and Expo

Journalists from across the nation have gathered in Chicago this week to…
Friends who discovered Idaho murder victims reveal eerie omen before the massacre

Mother of Idaho murder victim finds surprising solace in controversial plea deal by the killer

The mother of University of Idaho victim Xana Kernodle has broken her…
Utah judge schedules execution by firing squad for a man with dementia

Utah Judge Orders Firing Squad Execution for Inmate with Dementia

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah judge on Wednesday set an execution…
'High Potential' star Javicia Leslie teases a villain twist you won't see coming: "You'll never guess who it was." 

‘High Potential’ Star Javicia Leslie Hints at Unexpected Villain Plot Twist: “You’ll Be Surprised Who It Is.”

LOS ANGELES — The filming of Season 2 of “High Potential” on…
Caribbean police work to ID body found during search for missing American as nearby security guard was killed

Caribbean Authorities Seek to Identify Body Found During Search for Missing American After Nearby Security Guard Killing

A security guard was killed about 9 miles from where an American…
Judge considers Abrego Garcia request to try to avoid deportation before trial

Judge Reviews Abrego Garcia’s Request to Prevent Deportation Prior to Trial

Abrego Garcia became a focal point concerning President Trump’s immigration policies when…
Man in suit reviewing documents.

Evidence of Torture Discovered on Fired Putin Minister’s Body Before Alleged Suicide

The Kremlin has been charged with concealing the demise of a dismissed…