The D Brief: Putin’s summer offensive in Sumy; ‘Largest combined strike’ vs. Ukraine so far; Fordow repairs underway; More Israeli strikes in Gaza; And a bit more.
Defense One2 days
US Envoy to Ukraine Labels Kremlin's Comments on Peace Talks 'Orwellian'
Above: U.S. special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg pictured on June 12, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. Image copyright: Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Russian claims that the U.S. and Ukraine are stalling peace talks are unfounded and Orwellian. President Trump has been consistently calling for an end to the war and the U.S. urges Russia to move towards a ceasefire.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia's position on peace is well-defined and has been clearly communicated. Whether progress is made depends on what positions Ukraine takes and whether Washington is able to effectively maintain its role as a mediator.