Putin holds firm on Ukraine demands as Starshield restrictions return

Russian President Vladimir Putin remained inflexible on his maximalist demands to end the war in Ukraine while proposing a temporary truce in a key frontline city during Thursday's meeting with Donald Trump's envoys at the Kremlin. Putin reiterated Russia's claims on annexed territories and stated that any deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine would mean "the continuation of the war." He proposed a "humanitarian" operation in Kostiantynivka, a city in the Donetsk region. Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were scheduled to meet Volodymyr Zelensky in Dublin afterward. Ukrainian President Zelensky reported that SpaceX's military satellite communication system Starshield is again restricted in Ukraine, limiting terminals at speeds above 160 km/h. The European Union called for its "urgent restoration." Separately, the UK announced sanctions on ten major Russian oil producers, including Slavneft and the Vostok Oil project.