Russia on Wednesday announced it had conducted a major training exercise involving nuclear weapons, a day after the United States delayed plans for a second summit between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
The Kremlin released footage showing General Valery Gerasimov, head of the General Staff, reporting to Putin on the drills, which included practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States.
At various points in the war in Ukraine, Putin has often highlighted Russia’s nuclear strength as a warning to Kyiv and Western allies. NATO has also been conducting nuclear deterrence exercises this month.
Putin and Trump spoke last week and agreed to hold a summit in Hungary that the Kremlin said could take place within weeks. However, after a phone call between top diplomats from both countries on Monday, the White House said Trump had no plans to meet Putin “in the immediate future.” Trump said he did not want to have a “wasted meeting,” a view Moscow also shared.
Despite the delay, Russian officials said preparations for the summit were ongoing. “The dates haven’t been set yet, but thorough preparation is needed before then, and that takes time,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The postponement followed renewed discussions about Russia’s terms for a peace deal with Ukraine. Three sources told reporters that Moscow had reiterated its demand for Kyiv to cede full control of the southeastern Donbas region, effectively rejecting Trump’s suggestion that both sides should hold positions along current front lines.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency RIA he could not confirm whether Moscow had conveyed that position as reported by Reuters. “Preparations for the summit are continuing,” Ryabkov was quoted as saying. “I don’t see any major obstacles.”
He added: “It’s a difficult process, I admit – but that’s precisely what diplomats are for.”
Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy missile fire overnight as uncertainty deepened around the US-led peace effort. Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes killed six people, including two children, in Kyiv and nearby areas, triggering widespread power outages nationwide.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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