Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon what he called “unnecessary demands” in ongoing peace talks. Speaking at a news conference, Zelensky rejected Russia’s conditions for a potential peace deal, particularly regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership, which Russia wants taken off the table. His comments came after addressing a summit of European Union leaders, where he reinforced Ukraine’s stance on the ongoing conflict and the need for a fair resolution.

Zelensky also confirmed that Ukrainian officials will meet with their U.S. counterparts in Saudi Arabia next Monday to discuss the situation further. This comes after the Kremlin acknowledged a planned U.S.-Russia discussion. Meanwhile, in a separate development, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of a firm response from the UK should a peace agreement be reached. He made these remarks ahead of a meeting of a “coalition of the willing,” a group of top military leaders from around 20 countries coordinating support for Ukraine.

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues. Overnight Russian airstrikes killed at least two people, while Ukrainian drone attacks targeted key Russian positions. The full scale of casualties in the Ukraine-Russia war remains uncertain, with estimates varying widely due to the difficulty in verifying figures from both sides.

As the war rages on, international efforts to find a diplomatic solution are intensifying. However, major sticking points, including Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and Russia’s territorial demands, remain key obstacles to any peace agreement.