Putin’s 50,000 Troops Threaten Ukraine’s North as Trump Pushes for Peace Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has deployed 50,000 troops along Ukraine’s northern border, signaling a potential summer offensive aimed at pushing Ukrainian forces out of Russia’s Kursk region and invading Ukraine’s Sumy region, just 200 miles from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded the alarm, warning that Putin’s military buildup threatens a major escalation despite ongoing efforts by Ukraine and the U.S. to broker a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy has expressed readiness for direct talks with Putin, even proposing a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to facilitate negotiations. Trump, open to meeting both leaders, voiced frustration over Russia’s relentless attacks, including 120 missiles, 1,500 Shahed drones, and 2,500 guided bombs launched on Ukrainian cities since mid-May. Yet, he’s held off on new sanctions, citing progress toward a potential deal.

Russia’s advance includes capturing four Ukrainian border villages in Sumy, previously contested areas now under Moscow’s control. Putin’s forces are reportedly carving out a 6-mile-wide buffer zone, a tactic seen as a bargaining chip for ceasefire talks. However, Ukraine accuses Russia of stalling, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi calling out Moscow’s secretive ceasefire memorandum as a list of ultimatums designed to derail peace efforts rather than advance them.

After a failed Istanbul meeting earlier this month, Russia proposed a second round of talks, but Ukraine remains skeptical, demanding transparency on Russia’s terms. As tensions rise, the prospect of meaningful negotiations hangs in the balance, with Putin’s military maneuvers casting a long shadow over diplomatic efforts.