Ukraine reacts to Russia’s Pokrovsk takeover claim, warns West of possible peace negotiation trap

Russia’s shock announcement that Pokrovsk has finally fallen has triggered a new wave of confusion in Kyiv and concern in Washington. As Putin calls the city a major breakthrough, Ukraine avoided directly confirming or denying the loss — instead issuing a cryptic warning that Moscow is preparing a massive “information offensive” to sway upcoming peace talks. The timing is explosive: a U.S. delegation led by Steve Witkoff has just landed in Moscow to renegotiate the ceasefire plan. With battlefield maps shifting and diplomacy in motion, the real picture remains far from clear.