During a high-profile conference in Turkey on Saturday, top diplomats from Russia and Ukraine exchanged sharp accusations regarding violations of a fragile U.S.-mediated agreement aimed at pausing attacks on energy infrastructure. This exchange highlighted the ongoing difficulties in finding a resolution to the protracted conflict that has lasted for three years.
Both foreign ministers addressed separate events at the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum, occurring just a day after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore potential pathways to peace. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s European allies pledged billions of dollars to support Kyiv in its defense against Russia’s ongoing military invasion.
Last month, both Moscow and Kyiv had reached a tentative agreement to observe a limited, 30-day ceasefire. However, following discussions in Saudi Arabia, both sides released conflicting statements regarding the ceasefire’s implementation and accused one another of immediate breaches.
“The Ukrainians have been attacking us consistently, with perhaps two or three exceptions,” stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, asserting that Moscow intends to provide a record of Kyiv’s attacks over the last three weeks to the U.S., Turkey, and relevant international bodies.
A Russian Foreign Ministry representative additionally informed state media that Moscow has shared intelligence with the U.S. detailing over 60 alleged violations of the deal by Ukraine.
Trump states ‘Russia needs to act’
Lavrov maintained on Saturday that Russia had adhered to the agreement’s terms.
In stark contrast, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha refuted Lavrov’s claims, asserting that Russia had launched “almost 70 missiles, over 2,200 drones, and more than 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine, primarily targeting civilians,” since the limited pause on strikes was established.
“This clearly illustrates to the world who genuinely seeks peace and who is intent on continuing warfare,” he remarked.
With Russian forces currently holding the upper hand in Ukraine, Kyiv has expressed concerns that Moscow is planning a renewed offensive aimed at exerting greater pressure on Ukraine and enhancing its negotiation stance.
Ukraine has shown support for a wider U.S. ceasefire proposal; however, Russia has hindered progress by imposing extensive conditions. European leaders have accused Putin of stalling negotiations.
“Russia has to get moving” when it comes to concluding the war, tweeted U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, describing the conflict as “terrible and senseless.”
On Saturday, Lavrov reiterated that any prospective U.S.-backed agreement, also discussed in Saudi Arabia, aimed at ensuring safe passage for commercial ships in the Black Sea cannot be realized until restrictions affecting Russian access to shipping insurance, port docking, and international payment systems are lifted.
Details regarding the proposed agreement remain undisclosed; however, it signifies another effort to secure safe navigation in the Black Sea, following a 2022 accord brokered by the UN and Turkey, which Russia subsequently suspended the following year.
Ukraine reports death of F-16 pilot
Ukraine’s air force announced the tragic loss of a second F-16 fighter jet supplied by Western allies, with the pilot, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov, being killed during the incident.
The General Staff of Ukraine indicated that the F-16 went down while engaging in defense against a Russian missile attack. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to Ivanov’s family, stating, “We take pride in our soldiers. We will ensure a strong and appropriate response.”
This incident follows the downing of the first F-16 last August, which had successfully intercepted three Russian missiles and a drone.
Since July, Ukraine has received several batches of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands, with the endorsement of the U.S., though the total number has not been made public.
Additionally, Russian drone strikes claimed the lives of at least two civilians in the southern region of Kherson, according to local Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
