30 March 2025, 13:53
The Kremlin has warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine may not be this year
The Kremlin has warned that a ceasefire in Ukraine may not be this year. Picture: Alamy
A ceasefire in Ukraine may not come into effect this year, a top Kremlin official has warned.
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Grigory Karasin, who led Russia's negotiating team with the US earlier this month, said that "it would be naive to expect any breakthrough results at the very first meeting".
Mr Karasin, a former ambassador to the UK, said that a truce may not come "this year or at the end of this year”.
He said that the talks had not led to "any radical breakthrough yet, but the opportunities are there".
Russia rejected a full 30-day ceasefire, which had been supported by Ukraine and the US.
Instead the two sides agreed to a limited halt to strikes on the Black Sea and energy infrastructure. Both Russia and Ukraine have already accused each other of violating this.
Read more: Russia and Ukraine agree to Black Sea ceasefire deal as White House confirms halt to strikes on energy infrastructure
Read more: Russia demands lifting of sanctions before Black Sea ceasefire can begin - as Zelenskyy slams Putin's 'manipulation'
Grigory Karasin
Grigory Karasin. Picture: Getty
Late on Saturday, two people died and 35 others were injured after Russian drones hit a military hospital, shopping centre, apartment blocks and other buildings in Kharkiv late on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a 67-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman were killed in the attack on Ukraine's second-largest city.
Ukraine's General Staff denounced the "deliberate, targeted shelling" of the military hospital. Among the casualties were "servicemen who were undergoing treatment," it said.
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The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia fired 111 exploding drones and decoys in the latest wave of attacks overnight into Sunday.
It said 65 of them were intercepted and another 35 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.
Meanwhile, Russia's ministry of defence said its air defence systems shot down six Ukrainian drones.
According to Ukrainian government and military analysts, Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in the coming weeks to maximise pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin's negotiating position in ceasefire talks.