Russian officials stated there is no point continuing US-led peace talks with Ukraine unless Kyiv cedes the eastern Donetsk region, according to people familiar with the negotiations reported by Bloomberg on February 28, 2026, at approximately 11:45 AM UTC within the past 59 minutes. Russia is ready to sign a draft memorandum if Ukraine withdraws, followed by a presidential summit. Talks planned for next week will be decisive, with Russia prepared to walk away if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy refuses the territorial concession, the Bloomberg report via an X post from @Maks_NAFO_FELLA detailed. This position reflects Russia's stance amid ongoing conflict in Donetsk. The demand comes hours after Lasar’s Group of the NSU destroyed two Russian BM-21 'Grad' systems in the Donetsk region during missions in the 20th Army Corps area, as reported earlier at 10:45 AM UTC today via corps7DSHV Telegram linked by @moklasen on X. Earlier Ukrainian SIGNUM FPV drone strikes targeted Russian logistics vehicles in the nearby Donbas region between 9:15 AM and 10:15 AM UTC, destroying an airboat, multiple loaves, a quad bike, a Niva, a UAZ, and a ground robotic complex, according to @umftteam on X.
