U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated on Sunday that Russia has made "significant concessions" during negotiations to end its conflict with Ukraine, signaling potential diplomatic momentum. In an interview with NBC News, Vance emphasized Moscow’s "flexibility" on key demands, though he acknowledged that unresolved issues remain. "We’re engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith," he said, while urging cautious optimism.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, however, accused Western nations and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of obstructing peace efforts. In a televised interview with Russia-1, Lavrov claimed Western countries "are just looking for an excuse to prevent negotiations" and criticized Zelenskyy’s insistence on a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He further alleged that European leaders sought to undermine progress made during recent discussions between Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Amid escalating tensions, Canada announced a $1.45 billion military aid package to Ukraine during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Kyiv. The funding, pledged at June’s G7 Summit, includes support for air defense systems, drones, and electronic warfare capabilities. Analysts suggest the aid reflects growing international efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense amid stalled talks.
