Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed international efforts in Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing the Ukraine war. The talks were deemed insignificant due to Russia's exclusion from the discussions, according to the ministry. Representatives from 40 nations convened in Jeddah on Tuesday to address the 17-month-long conflict. With Moscow's absence, the talks held little value from Russia's perspective. The ministry emphasized that Russia is prepared to pursue a diplomatic solution on its own terms.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, Mr. Zelenskyy, rejected demands by Russia that would prolong its occupation of Ukrainian territory. He declared categorically that Russian forces must fully withdraw.

In the second scenario, Ukraine’s security service announced the arrest of an alleged Russian informant who was allegedly gathering intelligence in preparations for President Zelensky's recent visit to the Mykolaiv region. The woman is reported to have had thoughts of offering information for a prospective air strike during Zelenskyy's visit.

Zelenskyy has played an important role in rallying public morale since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He refused to flee Kyiv when Russian forces approached and has been a strong voice for Ukraine on the world stage.

In addition, Russian shelling hit a house in a Kherson residential building and a village in Kharkiv province, causing casualties and injuries. The incidents underline the lingering violence and impact of the conflict on civilian populations.