Putin’s Military Threat Looms Over Ukraine Peace Talks with Trump

As the Ukraine war approaches its fourth year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a stark warning, stating that Russia will “explore military option” if Ukraine does not achieve peace through negotiations. This declaration precedes a significant summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, aimed at finding a resolution. Putin expressed doubt over Ukraine’s commitment to peaceful dialogue, indicating that Moscow is prepared to use military force if diplomatic efforts fail. The context for these statements is the recent heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv, which involved waves of ballistic missiles and drones, causing at least one fatality and injuring 27 people. The assault on the Ukrainian capital commenced early Saturday and continued for several hours. President Zelenskyy plans to present a detailed 20-point peace initiative to President Trump during their meeting in Florida on Sunday, seeking to secure Ukraine’s future security. While Ukrainian officials have expressed a desire for European participation in the peace process, they acknowledge potential logistical hurdles. The Kremlin has affirmed that Russia and the US are maintaining communication regarding the ongoing situation.