Vladimir Putin stated Russia's aim to eliminate the causes of the Ukraine war and ensure Russia's security, coinciding with a record drone attack on Ukraine. Despite recent diplomatic talks in Istanbul,

Peace in Ukraine remains as elusive as when Russian tanks first streamed across its borders more than three years ago. This week’s talks in Istanbul—talks that Vladimir Putin himself proposed—show he isn’t yet ready to do a deal.

President Donald Trump announced he will speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone Monday to discuss the war in Ukraine. After neither Trump nor Putin went to Turkey earlier this week for peace talks to end the war between Russia and Ukraine,