Kremlin drops Donbass withdrawal precondition for US-Russia-Ukraine talks

Russia has reversed its stated precondition for resuming trilateral talks with the US and Ukraine, no longer requiring Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donbass. This marks a notable softening from May statements by Putin aide Ushakov and Peskov, who had called it essential. The shift suggests Moscow may be seeking a diplomatic off-ramp, though the scope and sincerity of the concession remain uncertain.