Peace within months is a plausible scenario, according to Vance's viewpoint

Achievable Peace Within the Coming Months, Believes Vance.

In the past few days, Ukraine has been the centre of numerous significant events, as the conflict with Russia continues to escalate.

On the ground, cities such as Sumy and Romny have experienced a drone attack, resulting in at least ten impacts and fires in several residential buildings. Tragically, the city of Herson was also shelled with artillery, injuring a 76-year-old woman and causing damage to several residential buildings, a business, and a bus stop. Ukrainian forces, however, have managed to retake the village of Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region.

In the political sphere, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains the democratically elected leader of Ukraine, according to an interview with NBC News, despite Russian diplomat Lavrov's assertions to the contrary. Zelenskyy has been identified as the legitimate representative of Ukraine to sign a peace agreement in a potential bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the Kremlin has stated that it will not accept a peace agreement signed by Zelensky.

International efforts to resolve the conflict are underway. US President Donald Trump is attempting to arrange a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin to achieve a peace agreement. US Vice President JD Vance expresses optimism that US peace efforts can end the war in Ukraine. Canada, meanwhile, has agreed to jointly produce defense weapons with Ukraine, an agreement that was signed in Kyiv by Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with Zelenskyy present at the signing.

Diplomatic tensions remain high, with Lavrov's statements directly contradicted by the interviewer in the NBC News interview. The Kremlin considers Zelensky the "de facto head of the regime," but not a legitimate leader of Ukraine.

Amidst the turmoil, Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day, with Trump praising its "indomitable spirit" and "inspiring courage" in a message marking the occasion. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was also in Kyiv to mark the day.

In Moscow, two Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down by the Russian air defense, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Russia has also announced that it has captured another settlement in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to be a source of concern for the international community, with both sides showing no signs of backing down. The hope remains that diplomatic efforts and international cooperation can lead to a peaceful resolution.