Russia launches new offensive amid ongoing peace talks with Ukraine

Russia has initiated a new and intensified phase of its military offensive against Ukraine, escalating attacks on multiple fronts even as diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire and peace negotiations continue. This complex dual approach has raised concerns among Western analysts and officials about Moscow’s true intentions, The New York Times reports.

Russian forces have stepped up large-scale assaults aimed at gaining strategic advantages in key regions of Ukraine. These renewed military operations are viewed as an effort to pressure Kyiv into making concessions during ongoing talks about ending the war.

This month, they have more than doubled the area that they seized in April, capturing an average of 5.5 square miles each day, according to data from Deepstate, a Ukrainian war monitoring group. Russia this month is advancing at the fastest pace since November, the data shows.

Western intelligence and defense experts note that while Russia publicly expresses willingness to negotiate, it is simultaneously intensifying combat operations to strengthen its bargaining position on the ground. This tactic risks prolonging the war and inflicting further suffering on civilians and soldiers alike.

“Russia is used to the idea of fighting and talking at the same time,” said Samuel Charap, a Washington-based senior political scientist focused on Russia at the RAND Corporation, a security research organization. Mr. Charap does not expect a diplomatic breakthrough in the near future, given how far apart the two sides are. Warring sides often “attempt to get as much as possible before the guns fall silent,” Mr. Charap added.

Ukraine, for its part, has maintained firm resistance despite facing increased attacks and continues to prepare for potential negotiations. Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for international support, including military aid and economic sanctions, to sustain their defense and push for a favorable resolution.

The international community remains cautious but hopeful that diplomacy can ultimately prevail. Observers warn, however, that Russia’s simultaneous offensive actions complicate peace efforts, suggesting that Moscow may be using negotiations as a stalling tactic to regroup and resupply.