Is Russia ‘simulating diplomacy’ because of war losses in Ukraine?
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- Russia said its defence ministry shot down more than 1,000 drones in a 24‑hour period on Sunday after a drone strike killed at least three people in Moscow, including an Indian citizen.
- Putin indicated during the May 9 Victory Day parade that he was willing to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a neutral country to sign peace accords, while asserting “victory has always been and will be ours.”
- Simon Schlegel, director of the Center for Liberal Modernity, told Al Jazeera that the promised ceasefire and prisoner exchange have not materialised, casting doubt on Moscow’s diplomatic overtures.
- Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said the peace process is “on pause” following the recent drone attacks and a Russian assault on Kyiv that killed 24 people.
Why it matters: Ukraine and Russia each lose civilians as drone strikes intensify, while the Kremlin's pause on peace talks stalls any diplomatic resolution, prolonging the war’s humanitarian and economic toll on European markets.
