E3 Ambassadors Push for Direct Russia-Ukraine Talks in Rare Moscow Meeting
Envoys from France, Germany and the UK urged Moscow to hold direct talks with Kyiv during a rare meeting at Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes have crippled Russian supply lines, causing fuel shortages in Crimea.
Diplomatic Initiative
British, French and German ambassadors to Russia met at the Russian foreign ministry on Thursday, urging direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. The meeting, a rare direct engagement since the war began, followed a summit in London with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The three countries, known as the E3, stated they conveyed the key conclusions from the London summit, including support for Zelenskyy's call for direct talks between the warring parties.
Russia responded by accusing the ambassadors' countries of pursuing a "destructive" policy on Ukraine and of wanting to "continue the war against Russia on behalf of and at the expense of" European nations.
Battlefield: Ukrainian Strikes on Crimean Supply Routes
Ukrainian forces have intensified attacks on Russian supply lines, particularly the R-280 highway, dubbed the "highway of death," which snakes through occupied Ukrainian territory from Rostov-on-Don to Melitopol, Mariupol and Crimea along the Azov Sea coast. Ukrainian drone operators report destroying dozens of trucks and tankers in what is called the "middle strike campaign."
Commander of Ukraine's drone forces, Robert Brovdi, said military cargo traffic along the highway had fallen by 71% over the past two weeks. Traffic on the Chonhar Bridge—a key section linking Russia-occupied Kherson province to Crimea—was suspended this week after a series of drone strikes. Video released by the Ukrainian army appears to show attacks on the bridge and trucks.
Fuel Crisis in Crimea
The strikes have triggered fuel shortages across the Crimean peninsula. Reuters witnesses reported that most petrol stations in Sevastopol had no fuel on Thursday, even with rationing in place. In the resort town of Yevpatoriya, a long queue formed outside the only working station. Moscow-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said fuel supplies were disrupted after recent Ukrainian strikes, delaying plans for rationed distribution. Road, rail and barge deliveries to Crimea have all been affected.
Other Developments
Ukrainian strikes also hit southern Russia, causing a fire at the Afipsky oil refinery. The governor of adjacent Adygea reported damage as well. Russia's fuel shortage has become so acute that the government is creating a forecasting system to address deficits, as Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak called for its establishment after a cabinet meeting.
Shelling in Russia's Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, killed two people and wounded two, according to acting regional governor Yegor Kovalchuk. A Russian drone attack on a railway depot in the town of Konotop in Ukraine's Sumy region killed a railway worker and injured four, said Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi. Despite intensified attacks on infrastructure, Ukraine's state railway operator reported an 8% increase in grain shipments for export since June 1.
Russia's seaborne oil product exports fell by 0.2% daily in May compared to April, with southern ports hit by drones but Baltic terminal exports rising.
