Britain and France on Friday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling ceasefire talks aimed at ending the invasion of Ukraine, urging Moscow to respond swiftly after weeks of U.S.-led diplomacy.
A deadly Russian drone strike late Thursday on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killed five civilians and underscored the urgency for a ceasefire. Emergency crews pulled charred bodies from a burning apartment building as flames shot through shattered windows. Thirty-two others were injured, many limping out in shock or carried on stretchers.
"Now it’s clear who wants peace and who wants war," Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said at a NATO meeting in Brussels, referencing the Kharkiv attack. "We must pressure Russia into peace."
Russia has essentially rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day truce.
“Putin continues to stall and obscure,” said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, speaking alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot at NATO headquarters in a show of unity. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that Russia’s intentions will become apparent “very soon.”
“We’re at the point where progress must be made,” Rubio said.
Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy in Washington for talks with Trump administration officials said further negotiations are needed. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and under U.S. sanctions since the invasion, called the talks “constructive” but accused Western politicians and media of distorting Russia’s stance.
Civilian targets in three additional Ukrainian regions were hit in overnight strikes. Ukraine reported that Russia launched 78 drones, while Moscow claimed its air defenses destroyed 107 Ukrainian drones.
“We see you, Vladimir Putin. We know what you are doing,” Lammy said.
Russia Prepares New Offensive
Russian forces are reportedly gearing up for a new ground offensive across the 1,000-kilometer front line, aiming to strengthen their hand in negotiations. With fields drying up, tanks and heavy equipment are expected to move into new positions.
Britain and France are leading a coalition of 10 to 12 countries preparing to enforce any future peace deal. A senior Ukrainian official confirmed the multinational force is taking shape.
‘Russia Has Been Flip-Flopping’
Barrot noted that Ukraine had agreed to ceasefire terms three weeks ago, and now “Russia owes an answer to the United States.” President Donald Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after vowing last year to end the war quickly.
“Russia keeps flip-flopping—striking infrastructure, committing war crimes,” Barrot said. “It needs to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Quickly.”
He added that Russia has no real intention of halting hostilities. On Monday, Putin ordered the conscription of 160,000 troops for a one-year term, signaling continued escalation. Lammy and Barrot pledged ongoing support to Ukraine’s military, particularly since the U.S. has shelved the idea of Ukraine joining NATO.
Western analysts aren’t surprised by Russia’s cautious pace in talks, given its advantage on the battlefield. A recent U.S. intelligence assessment noted that Russia now sees strategic value in delaying negotiations.
“Russia has regained the upper hand in Ukraine and is positioning itself to extract concessions from Kyiv and its allies,” the report said.
Coalition military leaders were set to meet in Kyiv on Friday, with defense ministers scheduled to gather at NATO headquarters next Thursday.
Russia Rebuilds Its Forces
U.S. Gen. Christopher Cavoli told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Russia is rapidly rebuilding its military. He said there are now over 600,000 Russian troops in Ukraine—nearly double the size of the original invasion force.
Russia is also on pace to replace lost tanks, vehicles, artillery, and air defense systems. Cavoli noted that Russia is producing 250,000 artillery shells per month—enough to create a stockpile three times larger than those of the U.S. and Europe combined.
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