Daily brief
Armenia votes in parliamentary elections as Russia intensifies pressure on the pro-Western government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with the Kremlin criticizing the vote and warning of a 'Ukrainian scenario'.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy sent a message to Russian President Putin via billionaire Roman Abramovich; the Kremlin mocked the move, with spokesperson Peskov comparing Zelenskyy to Rambo and calling the letter a provocation to secure more weapons.
UK Prime Minister Starmer hosted Zelenskyy, French President Macron, and Chancellor Merz as Russian strikes killed three in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov demanded Russian language rights as a core condition for peace in Ukraine.
A Kyiv official predicted harsher terms for Russia following rejected peace talks, calling it a missed window for negotiation.