Russian demands escalate as Sen. Graham derides Medvedev
Senator Lindsey Graham, co-author of the bill imposing 500% tariffs on any country purchasing Russian energy resources, commented on Dmitry Medvedev's "confessions." "Congratulations to Mr. Medvedev for a rare moment of honesty," he remarked sarcastically.
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, declared on Tuesday that the goal of peace talks with Ukraine is not to reach a compromise but to achieve a "victory for Russia." The former president emphasized that this is exactly what the memorandum Moscow submitted to Kyiv during Monday's talks in Istanbul is for.
Medvedev threatens over "Spiderweb" operation
"The Istanbul talks are not for striking a compromise peace on someone else's delusional terms but for ensuring our swift victory and the complete destruction of the neo-Nazi regime," Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
During Monday's talks between the delegations of both countries in Istanbul, the Russian side presented its demands. These include, among others, the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions within 30 days of the ceasefire announcement, Ukraine's neutrality, reduction of its army size, and the organization of new parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine.
Medvedev also promised retaliation for the successful attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian airbases. On Sunday, as part of the "Spiderweb" operation conducted by the Ukrainian Security Service, which involved simultaneous strikes on four military airfields in Russia, 41 aircraft of the Russian strategic air force were destroyed or damaged. The aggressor's losses are estimated to reach $9.6 billion CAD.
Leading Kremlin propagandists were stunned by the attack: "This is Russia's Pearl Harbor" - they wrote.
US Senator "congratulates" Medvedev
US Senator Lindsey Graham responded to Medvedev's threats.
"Congratulations to Mr. Medvedev for a rare moment of honesty coming from the Russian propaganda machine. I appreciate you making it clear to the world that Putin and Russia are not remotely interested in peace," he wrote.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, Russian forces struck the central part of the city of Sumy. Three people are dead, and over 25 were injured. The condition of eight of the injured is critical, including three children. According to BBC Ukraine, this was the first time Russia attacked the city centre with a multiple rocket launcher system.
