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
Photo of Darcy Deefholts.

Teen Surfer’s Dramatic Rescue: Swept 9 Miles Out to Sea and Stranded Overnight on Deserted Island

A 19-YEAR-OLD surfer was miraculously found alive and well after getting marooned…
Woman in hospital bed recovering from dog attack.

Woman, 55, Attacked by Dogs While Delivering Uber Eats Order – Dogs Grabbed Her Head

A GRAN was left seriously injured after being mauled by two dogs…
Justin Bieber confirms Hailey marriage struggles in album 'Swag'

Justin Bieber Opens Up About Marriage Challenges with Hailey in New Album ‘Swag’

Justin Bieber is hitting rumors head-on. The singer addressed his and Hailey…
Chicago's 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. wants son to replace him in City Council after retirement, drawing criticism

Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. faces backlash for proposing his son as successor in City Council’s 27th Ward after retirement

The longest-tenured member of the Chicago City Council is stepping down at…
Aryna Sabalenka recalls testy Wimbledon exchange with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka Reflects on Tense Wimbledon Moment with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka is expanding on her perspective following a tense moment Thursday…
Anti-ICE Protestors Douse Themselves in Milk to Fight Off Pepper Spray at Cannabis Facility in California

Protesters Against ICE Use Milk to Counteract Pepper Spray at California Cannabis Facility

An extensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid occurred at Glass House…
Here's What We've Learned About Those Multiple Suspended Secret Service Agents

Lessons from the Multiple Suspensions of Secret Service Agents

Susan Crabtree, a National Political Correspondent for RealClearPolitics, mentioned on X that…
Sheriff Cook discusses safety and crime at town hall

Sheriff Cook Talks Crime and Safety Issues at Community Town Hall

During Thursday’s town hall, Sheriff Michelle Cook announced that crime in Clay…
Airport security subdues a disruptive passenger.

Dramatic Scene: Woman Throws Temper Tantrum at Airport, Screams at Police Before Being Arrested

THIS is the shocking moment a furious passenger had a full-blown foot-stomping…
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…
World's oldest domesticated dog breed has cohabited with humans for 1,000 years, new study shows — but their population is plummeting

Ancient Dog Breed, Living Alongside Humans for a Millennium, Faces Rapid Decline, New Research Reveals

It gives new meaning to dog years. For nearly 10,000 years, people…
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…