Both Ceasefire Talks and Russia's Push on Kyiv See Scant Progress

LOCAL NEWS

• Ceasefire talks yesterday saw scant progress with Russian officials downplaying progress towards any sort of settlement after the 15-point peace plan brought optimism for a solution on Wednesday.
  • Ukrainian neutrality and restrictions on its military remain key components of a deal. Negotiations continue, with Turkey’s Erdogan telling putin he could host a meeting with him and Zelensky in Turkey. Russian media reported this morning that such a meeting could take place ‘in the coming weeks’ – RTRS,
• Overnight US officials noted that little progress had been made by Russian forces in the past 24 hours with limited shelling outside of some blasts noted in Lviv this morning.
  • Naval activity has been seen off the coast of Odesa, which is preparing for a Russian assault, but the US said there are no signs of an imminent amphibious assault.
  • Also cited anecdotal evidence of flagging morale due to poor leadership and lack of information given to Russian troops. - RTRS
• The UK’s MoD supported US claims of little military progress with logistical problem as causing the move on Kyiv to falter. Ukrainian counteroffensives targeting supply lines have forced Russia to divert a large number of troops from the frontlines – slowing the assault.
  • Western officials now question whether Kyiv will be the main target as the costs of taking the capital mount. US intelligence officials said Putin could resort to nuclear threats if the war drags – RTRS, Sky