Ukrainian intel strikes Russia's Far East as Kyiv lays out terms for talks with Russia - Friday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
On the morning of May 30, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) conducted a successful operation near the Desantnaya military bay in Vladivostok, Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine has established conditions for a second round of negotiations with Russia in Istanbul.
Read more about what happened on Friday, May 30.
Ukraine's intel operation in Russian Vladivostok
On the morning of May 30, two powerful explosions occurred near the Desantnaya (Landing) Bay in Vladivostok, Russia. According to reports, this resulted from a successful operation by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence.
Sources reported at least two explosions in the area of the 47th Separate Air Assault Battalion of the 155th Separate Guards Marine Brigade (military unit 30926). One blast occurred near a checkpoint, and the other at the location of the unit's personnel and command.
The operation resulted in casualties among personnel, as well as damage to military equipment and special assets.
'We won’t fall for a pig in a poke.' Zelenskyy's Office lays out conditions for talks
According to Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyiv is ready for new negotiations with Russia, but only under clear and well-considered proposals.
Yermak emphasized that Ukraine seeks peace above all, but not at any cost.
“Compromise does not mean capitulation. Moscow is proposing a new round of negotiations. And we are ready for dialogue. However, we demand clarity – clear and, most importantly, reasonable proposals. We will not fall for a pig in a poke called a memorandum. We have already had one. That is enough. Diplomacy must be built on specifics, not empty promises,” he noted.
Not just Trump and Putin. Zelenskyy wants another leader at negotiating table
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine supports the idea of a four-party summit to discuss a peace agreement, involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States.
“I just had a good and very meaningful conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I thanked him personally, as well as of Türkiye for their principled position in support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state,” said Zelenskyy.
He noted that he and Erdoğan discussed the first round of Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul.
The two also discussed the potential next meeting in Istanbul and under what conditions Ukraine would be willing to participate.
“We both agree that this meeting cannot and should not be meaningless. We also discussed the possibility of organizing a four-party meeting at the level of leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States,” Zelenskyy added.
Russian rep threatens escalation at UN Security Council: Ukraine demands response
Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya declared that Moscow is ready to continue and escalate its military operations in Ukraine for as long as it deems necessary.
During a UN Security Council meeting, he stated that the goals of the special military operation could be achieved either militarily or through diplomacy.
Nebenzya said that Russia is ready to "continue and step up military activities as long as necessary."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that while the world calls for an end to the violence and a shift to meaningful diplomacy, Russia uses top diplomatic platforms to spew aggressive rhetoric.
“This is Russia's slap in the face to all who advocate for peace. Not just Ukraine but also the United States, European countries, China, Brazil, and others,” he said.
Sybiha underscored that Ukraine demands a response to Russia’s provocative statements, which threaten the peace process.
“We insist that the pressure on Moscow be increased already now. They do not understand normal attitude or diplomatic language; it is time to speak to them in the language of sanctions and increased support for Ukraine,” he added.
Trump threatens again to withdraw from Ukraine peace talks
Keith Kellogg, US Special Envoy for Ukraine, stated that the United States might withdraw from the negotiation process regarding the war in Ukraine if former President Donald Trump believes he is being "used."
“I think when you talk about walking away if he believes he's being used and that there is no hope in progress going forward, he goes: 'We’re done with this. Europe, we leave it over to you'," Kellogg said, commenting on Trump's threats to exit the peace talks.
