Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a new intelligence operation set to last forty days, aimed at persuading Russia to come to the peace table, according to a social media post by President Zelensky following a meeting with the head of the Ukrainian Security Service, though no specific details were disclosed.
Zelensky described drone strikes targeting military and arms facilities, as well as Russian oil and gas installations, as long-range sanctions.
The Kremlin stated on Wednesday that U.S. envoys Steve Witkov and Jared Kushner are preoccupied with other issues. However, they believe that communication with them regarding Ukraine will resume once these matters are resolved.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made these comments in response to a question about the possibility of involving other envoys in talks on Ukraine, given Witkov and Kushner's current engagements.
Witkov and Kushner are members of the U.S. negotiating team in talks aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the war with Iran.
These positive remarks came following accusations earlier this week from senior Russian officials that the United States is failing to adhere to "understandings" reached between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. counterpart Donald Trump at the Alaska summit held last August.
Russian officials consistently refer to what they call the "Spirit of Anchorage," a term analysts suggest describes Moscow's perceived potential for an agreement involving the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the remaining Donbas areas not under their control, in exchange for Moscow freezing combat lines on other fronts. Kyiv has repeatedly asserted it will not cede any of its territory to Russia.