Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy Sunday, Russia’s offer for direct peace talks, but insisted that there must have been a full, temporary cease In place before negotiations can begin.
Zelenskyy, writing on X, said that it was a “positive sign that the Russians finally began to consider putting an end to war” and said that “the whole world has been waiting for this for a very long time”.
However, he added that “the very first step at the end of any war is a ceasefire”, in a reference to his proposal to start an unconditional truce of 30 days on Monday.
“There is no point in continuing the murder even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, sustainable and reliable – from tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet,” said Zelenskyy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin In the media remarks, the night actually rejected this ceasefire offer and proposed restart direct talks with Ukraine In Istanbul on Thursday in place “without prerequisites”. He said that a cease-fire could be agreed during negotiations.
Putin’s counter-offer came after the leaders of four major European countries threatened to Ratchet up pressure on Moscow if he does not accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
Get daily national news
Get the best news of the day, the titles of political, economic and current affairs, delivered in your reception box once a day.
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met Zelenskyy in kyiv on Saturday and launched a coordinated call to the truce from Monday. The plan has received support from the European Union and US President Donald Trump.
In an article on social networks several hours after Putin’s remarks on peace talks, Trump said that it was “a potentially formidable day for Russia and Ukraine!”
“I will continue to work with both parties to make sure it happens. The United States rather wants to focus on reconstruction and trade. A big week to come! ” He added.
Macron said on Sunday that Putin’s offer of direct negotiations with Ukraine is “a first step, but not enough”, signaling the continuous Western skepticism towards the intentions of Moscow.
“An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations,” Macron told journalists on the Polono-Ukrainian border, according to French media.
Macron also warned that Putin “is looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time”.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, in the comments broadcast on Sunday by Russian state television, described Putin’s proposal “very serious”, aimed at eliminating “deep causes of the conflict” and said that “confirms a real intention to find a peaceful solution”.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on Sunday to Macron and Putin and told them during separate telephone calls that Turkey was ready to organize peace talks. He also declared that a “historic turning point” had been reached in efforts to end the war, according to a press release from the Turkish Presidential Communications Office.
Meanwhile, Russia has resumed Mass drone attacks In Ukraine early on Sunday, after the expiration of his three -day self -proclaimed break.
Russia has launched 108 attack drones and simulation drones of six different directions, the Air Force of Ukraine said. He said 60 drones have been killed and that 41 other simulator drones have not achieved objectives due to Ukrainian countermeasures.
On Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of “raping” the three-day Moscow ceasefire more than 14,000 times. Ukraine, who did not accept the ceasefire from May 8 to 10, also accused Russia of having raped his own truce, the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs calling him a farce.
& Copy 2025 the Canadian press