Russian overtures welcome however ceasefire should come earlier than peace talks, says Zelenskyy

[ad_1] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday welcomed Russia's supply for direct peace talks, however insisted there have to be a full, non permanent ceasefire in place earlier than negotiations can begin.

Zelenskyy, writing on X, referred to as Russian President Vladimir Putin's counter-offer to begin talks with out a ceasefire a "constructive signal," and stated that "your complete world has been ready for this for a really very long time."

He added, nonetheless, that "the very first step in actually ending any battle 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 achieve targets resulting from 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 comply with the Could 8-10 ceasefire, which Russia unilaterally declared, and accused Russia of repeatedly violating it.

The Ukrainian president appeared to insist on his proposal to begin a 30-day unconditional ceasefire on Monday. "There isn't any level in persevering with the killing even for a single day. We count on Russia to substantiate a ceasefire — full, lasting and dependable — beginning tomorrow, Could 12, and Ukraine is able to meet," Zelenskyy stated.

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With the Trump administration pulling again assist for Ukraine, CBC’s Terence McKenna examines Europe’s scramble to step up as its predominant defender in opposition to Russia and whether or not European nations may ever totally substitute America’s navy and diplomatic energy. In remarks to the media in a single day, Putin successfully rejected that ceasefire supply 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 nations 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 publish a number of hours after Putin's remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump stated it was "a doubtlessly nice day for Russia and Ukraine!"

"I'll proceed to work with each side to make it possible for it occurs. The USA needs to focus, as an alternative, on Rebuilding and Commerce. A BIG week upcoming!" he added.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in feedback aired by Russian state TV on Sunday, referred to as Putin's proposal "very severe" and stated it confirms an actual intention to "discover a peaceable answer."

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan advised 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.

Through the name on Sunday, Erdogan stated a "historic turning level" had been reached in efforts to finish the battle, in line with an announcement 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."