Russia talks hit deadlock, situation can only be resolved on battlefield — media

The Wall Street Journal reported the information.

The article states that this is part of a large-scale summer offensive meant to create the impression in the West that a Russian victory is inevitable. The Kremlin is trying to convince Western capitals that supporting Ukraine is a waste of resources.

Russia is actively advancing on multiple fronts, using its numerical advantage and searching for weak points in Ukraine’s defense. In the east, the key target is the city of Kostiantynivka — an important logistics hub that is now nearly encircled. Technological advances, particularly in strike drones, are making it harder to supply Ukrainian forces.

In the north, Russians have concentrated over 50,000 troops near the Sumy region and have crossed the border. Russian forces enjoy a numerical advantage, attempting to stretch Ukrainian defenses and exhaust resources. A possible goal is to capture the regional center of Sumy, the publication notes.

According to a Ukrainian captain fighting in the area near Pokrovsk, Russia is attacking around the clock, though such assaults have not resulted in major progress for months.

“They want to reach the border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast—it’s important to them symbolically,” a Ukrainian captain in the area said. “That’s why they keep going through open fields and dying there.” 

Ukrainian officials also say that Moscow is building up forces in the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region. According to sources familiar with the situation, some Ukrainian special forces have been deployed there to help contain a potential offensive.

Ukrainian military personnel point to fatigue among troops, a lack of rotation, and constant pressure. The situation on the front is expected to become even more difficult in the summer.

• The first round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul took place on May 16, 2025, and the second on June 2.
• According to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during the second meeting in Istanbul on June 2, Russia presented a set of old ultimatums in response to Ukraine’s constructive proposals that could have brought a just peace closer. The talks resulted only in an agreement on a prisoner exchange, but not on a ceasefire.