President Donald Trump announced that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine would commence “immediately,” following a two-hour conversation with Vladimir Putin. This announcement came amidst escalating tensions, highlighted by the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuries to 69 others when two bridges were destroyed in Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions. These attacks coincided with preparations for peace discussions intended to resolve the ongoing conflict that has persisted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Bryansk region was particularly affected when a passenger train, carrying 388 people, was involved in an incident where a highway bridge collapsed on it. Reports from Russian authorities described chaotic scenes, with passengers attempting to escape from damaged carriages. The Russian Investigative Committee linked the bridge explosions, labeling them deliberate acts of sabotage.
In the wake of these events, Russian officials pointed fingers at Ukraine, suggesting these incidents aimed to undermine peace negotiations. Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliamentary defense committee, emphasized that the sabotage was linked to Ukrainian special services. Meanwhile, President Putin received updates on the explosions and held discussions with local officials about the situation.
Despite the U.S. pushing for dialogue, the conflict appears to be escalating, with both Moscow and Kyiv launching drone strikes and exhibiting military advancements. Ukraine has yet to commit to attending the proposed talks in Turkey, insisting on receiving and evaluating Russia’s proposals first. As these diplomatic efforts unfold, a leading U.S. senator warned that further sanctions would be imposed on Russia should they hinder negotiations.
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