Wed Jan 29 06:38:41 UTC 2025: **Putin Says He’s Open to Ukraine Talks, But Not with Zelenskyy; Fighting Continues**
**Moscow, January 29, 2025** – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday that Russia is open to peace negotiations with Ukraine, but only if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not involved, calling him illegitimate. Zelenskyy responded by accusing Putin of fear and employing delaying tactics.
The conflicting statements come amidst ongoing fighting and territorial gains by Russian forces. Russia claims to have captured the village of Dvorichna in the Kharkiv region and reports advancing near Chasiv Yar. The Russian military also reported shooting down over 100 Ukrainian drones in an overnight attack. Ukraine confirmed a Russian drone attack.
US President Donald Trump, who assumed office on January 20th, has pressured both sides to negotiate, threatening sanctions against Russia while claiming Zelenskyy is prepared to negotiate. Putin claims that Western support for Ukraine is prolonging the conflict, asserting that the fighting would end within one to two months if this support were cut off.
Kyiv has warned against being excluded from any US-Russia peace talks, alleging Putin is attempting to manipulate Trump. The situation remains tense, with no signs of immediate de-escalation despite Trump’s earlier promises of a swift ceasefire. Furthermore, Ukraine dismissed a deputy defense minister over alleged ammunition supply failures.
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