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Russia open to peace in Ukraine war but achieving goals is priority, Kremlin says after Trump's 50-day ultimatum
Russia is open to a peace settlement with Ukraine but achieving its military and political objectives remains a top priority, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday (July 20), days after US President Donald Trump warned Moscow to agree to a ceasefire within 50 days or face stiffer sanctions.
Speaking to state TV journalist Pavel Zarubin, Peskov said President Vladimir Putin still wanted a peaceful resolution to the war but reiterated that Russia's conditions for a deal had not changed.
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'President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy,' Peskov said.
'The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear,' he added.
Russia has demanded that Ukraine withdraw from the four regions Moscow annexed in September 2022 but does not fully control. It also wants Ukraine to abandon its bid to join Nato and to accept strict limits on the size and capabilities of its armed forces– conditions that Kyiv and its Western allies have rejected.
Peskov and other Russian officials have denied stalling negotiations, though Moscow continues to escalate its long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities. Analysts say drone attacks in particular are becoming more frequent, with Russia recently launching more drones in a single night than during some full months in 2024.
Trump's warning to Moscow
On July 14, Trump hardened his stance towards Moscow, announcing a 50-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face 'severe tariffs'. The US president, who had previously expressed frustration over failed negotiations, also said the new measures would target Russia's trading partners in an effort to further isolate the Kremlin economically.
Trump also unveiled plans to accelerate US military support for Ukraine, stating that European allies would purchase 'billions and billions' of dollars' worth of American defence equipment to transfer to Kyiv. The package is expected to include Patriot air defence systems, which Ukraine has identified as a key priority to counter Russian missile and drone attacks.
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The Pentagon had paused some military shipments earlier this year due to concerns over diminishing US stockpiles, prompting doubts over Washington's ability to maintain steady support for Ukraine.
With inputs from AP

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14 minutes ago
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Iran says open to nuclear talks only if US rebuilds trust
Iran is open to nuclear talks with the US if Washington takes steps to restore trust, a senior diplomat said. The statement comes before a crucial EU meeting following a ceasefire and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities read more Iran is willing to negotiate its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington makes genuine efforts to re-establish trust, a top Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a major meeting with European officials. The conference will be the first since a truce was agreed upon during Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June, during which US B-52 bombers targeted nuclear-related sites in Iran. Iranian officials will participate in the talks alongside representatives from the E3 countries, which include Britain, France, and Germany, as well as Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union's foreign policy. In May, a similar meeting had taken place in the Turkish city. 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Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
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Iran says ready for nuclear talks with US, but on one condition
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Iran's conditions In a social media post, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Thursday that for talks with the Unites States, Tehran would seek that 'several key principles' be upheld. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," he said, adding there could be no room 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to respect and recognize Iran's rights under the international agreement known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. "We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.