Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday welcomed Russia’s provide for direct peace talks, however insisted there have to be a full, short-term ceasefire in place earlier than negotiations can begin.
Zelenskyy, writing on X, known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s counter-offer to start out talks with no ceasefire a “constructive signal,” and stated that “your entire world has been ready for this for a really very long time.”
He added, nevertheless, that “the very first step in really ending any warfare is a ceasefire.”
In the meantime, Russia resumed mass drone assaults in Ukraine early on Sunday, after its self-declared three-day pause expired.
Russia launched 108 assault drones and simulator drones from six totally different instructions, Ukraine’s Air Power stated on Sunday. It stated 60 drones have been shot down and one other 41 simulator drones failed to succeed in targets on account of Ukrainian countermeasures.
The Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday accused Ukraine of “violating” Moscow’s three-day ceasefire greater than 14,000 occasions. Ukraine has additionally accused Russia of violating its personal truce, with the Ukrainian overseas minister calling it a farce.
Ukraine didn’t conform to the Might 8-10 ceasefire, which Russia unilaterally declared, and accused Russia of repeatedly violating it.
The Ukrainian president appeared to insist on his proposal to start out a 30-day unconditional ceasefire on Monday. “There isn’t any level in persevering with the killing even for a single day. We anticipate Russia to verify a ceasefire — full, lasting and dependable — beginning tomorrow, Might 12, and Ukraine is able to meet,” Zelenskyy stated.
With the Trump administration pulling again help for Ukraine, CBC’s Terence McKenna examines Europe’s scramble to step up as its primary defender towards Russia and whether or not European nations might ever totally change America’s navy and diplomatic energy.
In remarks to the media in a single day, Putin successfully rejected that ceasefire provide and proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday “with out preconditions.”
A ceasefire is perhaps agreed on in the course of the negotiations, he stated.
Putin’s counteroffer got here after leaders from 4 main European international locations threatened to ratchet up stress on Moscow if it doesn’t settle for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine that they supplied on Saturday in a powerful present of unity with Kyiv.
In a social media put up a number of hours after Putin’s remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump stated it was “a probably nice day for Russia and Ukraine!”
“I’ll proceed to work with either side to be sure that it occurs. The USA desires to focus, as a substitute, on Rebuilding and Commerce. A BIG week upcoming!” he added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in feedback aired by Russian state TV on Sunday, known as Putin’s proposal “very severe” and stated it confirms an actual intention to “discover a peaceable answer.”
The U.S. and Ukraine signed an settlement that can give the U.S. entry to Ukraine’s important minerals. Andrew Chang breaks down what it means for Ukraine. Plus, why predicting the end result of the Canadian election was so difficult.
“The targets of the talks are clear: To eradicate the foundation causes of the battle and in addition to make sure the pursuits of the Russian Federation,” Peskov stated.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed France’s Emmanuel Macron in a phone name that Turkey was able to contribute to peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with internet hosting negotiations.
Throughout the name on Sunday, Erdogan stated a “historic turning level” had been reached in efforts to finish the warfare, in response to a press release from the Turkish presidential communications workplace.
The Turkish chief additionally spoke to Putin on Sunday, his communications workplace stated, and affirmed his readiness to host negotiations “that might result in a long-lasting decision.”
Erdogan additionally stated he welcomed Putin’s assertion relating to the resumption of peace talks in Istanbul.
