Overview
- The Kremlin published an interview in which President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to continue talks and will "discuss all details" but is "waiting" for U.S. negotiators until the Iran situation is less intense.
- Putin's comments were given to journalist Pavel Zarubin and posted through Kremlin channels, making the statement an official Russian position rather than an informal remark.
- Russian officials acknowledge repeated Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure have caused localized fuel shortages that Putin called "not critical," even as Moscow says it will keep its military offensive going.
- At the G7 in France, President Donald Trump said Russia "should conclude an agreement" with Ukraine and raised the possibility of reimposing previously lifted sanctions, a stance Moscow and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov say shows the U.S. has abandoned impartial mediation in favor of pressure.
- If talks are delayed until U.S. attention shifts, the near-term outlook is continued fighting and pressure on Russian energy supplies, with possible second-order effects including new sanctions decisions and tighter fuel access for civilians in affected regions.