The Ukrainian leader accused Moscow of preparing a fresh wave of ‘offensive operations.’
Russia and Ukraine have accused one another of seeking to prolong the war in Ukraine, which in February entered its fourth year.
On May 27, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said that Kyiv, with the support of some European countries, had taken provocative steps aimed at derailing peace negotiations.
“At the initiative of the Russian Federation, direct Russian–Ukrainian dialogue on a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine was resumed,” the ministry said on its official Telegram channel. “At the same time, the Kiev regime, backed by certain European countries, has taken a series of provocative steps intended to disrupt the negotiation process.”
On May 16, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in Istanbul, where they held direct talks for the first time in three years.
They agreed on a sizeable prisoner swap, which was implemented over the weekend, and called for further talks aimed at reaching a cease-fire.
According to Moscow, Kyiv has stepped up attacks on Russian territory—using Western-supplied missiles and drones—over the past week.
Since May 20, Russian air defenses have intercepted more than 2,300 Ukrainian drones, including 1,465 outside the conflict zone, the defense ministry said.
Moscow made the assertions one day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country, along with other allies of Kyiv, would no longer impose range restrictions on Western missiles supplied to Ukraine.
“There are no longer any range restrictions for weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine—neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, and not by the Americans either,” Merz said in televised comments. “That means Ukraine can also defend itself by, for example, attacking military positions in Russia.”
A Kremlin spokesman said Merz’s remarks were dangerous and “contrary to our aspirations for reaching a political settlement.”
By Adam Morrow
