No buffer zone, no outside rule: Kremlin crushes Zelensky’s Donbas settlement proposal |Watch, Putin

Russia and Ukraine traded sharply contrasting messages over the future of the war, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejecting any proposal for third-party administration of Donbas and insisting the region is part of Russia. Peskov also criticised Western leaders, accusing them of prolonging the conflict and saying Russia remains open to a peaceful settlement while continuing its military operation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said Ukraine would not give up Donbas and urged Europe, the US and other partners to provide Kyiv with the support needed to end the war. Zelensky also called for stronger sanctions and greater international pressure on Russia.