U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has pinpointed two core issues blocking a Russia-Ukraine peace deal: the fate of occupied territories and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Moscow is said to be demanding formal recognition of its control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Crimea, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, as well as Ukrainian neutrality and demilitarization. Ukraine, in return, insists on “ironclad” protection from future attacks and refuses any territorial concessions. Watch for more