Differing views on the impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory

On Thursday, the Kremlin responded to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. President Trump had suggested that increased Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets could pressure Moscow into negotiating an end to the conflict. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected this view, stating that such escalation only extends the military operation. Peskov further warned that continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure would force Moscow to expand its defensive 'security zone' along the front lines. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Russia is facing increasing difficulty in defending its airspace. The U.S. government expressed hope that current military pressures could create conditions conducive to peace negotiations. Peskov characterized the U.S. position as a misjudgment, arguing that military escalation will not lead to a peaceful settlement.