Kremlin Calls Europe Blocking President Trump's Peace Efforts In Ukraine

JAKARTA - The Kremlin says European powers are blocking US President Donald Trump's efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine, while Russia will continue its operations in Ukraine until Moscow sees clear signs that Kyiv is ready for peace.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state media reporters the "European war party" continues to hinder US and Russian efforts in Ukraine.

"We are ready to resolve this issue through political and diplomatic means," Peskov said.

"But so far we have seen no reciprocity from Kyiv in this regard. So, we will continue special military operations," he added.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on Friday, the Russian army had accelerated its progress in Ukraine and controlled an area of 600-700 square kilometers (502 square miles) per month, compared to 300-400 square kilometers at the start of the year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces.

The United States says more than 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022. Russia currently controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory.

Meanwhile, European countries said they were unsure President Putin wanted peace in Ukraine. President Putin has repeatedly stated that he is ready to discuss peace, but Russia will not hand over a piece of land he has seized in Ukraine.