Ukraine war: Putin’s latest order to Russia army signals he’s not budging from his demands

Key Highlights

• While Ukraine is not yet at the point of capitulation, he added, it “is looking weak enough that the Russians think that they can impose demands.”More from World Ukraine, crude oil, tariffs: Why Putin’s visit to India is being closely tracked by the US Putin in Delhi: How the India-Russia reset could reshape global geopoliticsFollowing the Moscow talks, which included President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Russia signalled it is not easing its demands.
• Putin has ordered preparations for winter combat, and US officials described subsequent discussions with Ukraine’s delegation in Miami as “constructive.”Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a large-scale attack across Ukraine, firing more than 51 missiles and deploying over 650 drones from Friday night into Saturday morning, Ukrainian officials said.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that he had a “long and substantive” phone call with Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss next steps for talks with the United States. On the battlefield, Russian forces have made slow but steady gains on multiple fronts. They are close to capturing Pokrovsk and have nearly encircled its neighbour, Myrnohrad, while advancing in Zaporizhzhia, Kupiansk, and Siversk.
• According to DeepState, a Ukrainian military-affiliated monitoring group cited by NYT, Russian troops captured roughly 505 square kilometres in November, up from 267 square kilometres in October. Quick ReadsView AllRelos deal with Russia expands India's maritime footprint and ambitionsPakistan ready to take back grooming gang convicts if UK extradites rebels too: Report“The future looks really, really grim for Ukraine,” said Kastehelmi.
• Ukraine has enough resources to maintain the front line, but the pressure is mounting.