Russian drones assault Ukraine after Kremlin turns down a ceasefire proposal

[ad_1] KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched greater than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime assaults, the Ukrainian air drive mentioned Monday, after the Kremlin successfully rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire within the more than three-year war , however reiterated that it could participate in potential peace talks later this week with out preconditions.

There was no direct response from the Kremlin, in the meantime, to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s challenge for Russian chief Vladimir Putin to satisfy him for face-to-face peace talks in Turkey on Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday refused to say who would possibly journey to Istanbul from the Russian aspect.

“Total, we’re decided to significantly search for methods to realize a long-term peaceable settlement. That's all,” Peskov mentioned.

The US and European governments are making a concerted push to cease the combating, which has killed tens of 1000's of troopers on each side, in addition to greater than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians. Russia’s invading forces have taken round one-fifth of Ukraine in Europe’s largest battle since World Battle II.

U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned Monday that he’s optimistic concerning the Istanbul talks. There may be “the potential for a superb assembly” between Putin and Zelenskyy, Trump mentioned in Washington, including that he was “serious about flying over” to the talks from his go to to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates that day.

In a flurry of diplomatic developments over the weekend, Russia shunned the ceasefire proposal tabled by the U.S. and European leaders, however offered direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday.

Ukraine, together with European allies, had demanded that Russia settle for a ceasefire beginning Monday earlier than holding peace talks. Moscow successfully rejected that proposal and as a substitute referred to as for direct negotiations in Istanbul.

West will increase strain on Putin U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that Ukraine settle for the Russian provide of talks. Zelenskyy went a step additional Sunday and put strain on Putin by providing a private assembly.

France added its voice to that supply Monday, with International Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urging Putin to simply accept — although Barrot repeated the European place {that a} truce should be in place earlier than the talks.

Russia’s failure to affix the ceasefire provided by Ukraine would convey additional sanctions on Moscow, European leaders say. Germany on Monday reminded Russia of that intention.

“The clock is ticking. There are 12 hours till the top of the day and, if the ceasefire doesn’t stand by then, the European aspect will preserve to the settlement” to implement additional sanctions, German authorities spokesperson Stefan Kornelius mentioned.

Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, mentioned that giving ultimatums to Russia was “unacceptable” and wouldn’t work.

“You can not discuss to Russia on this language,” he advised reporters.

Additionally Monday, U.Ok. International Secretary David Lammy was internet hosting in London senior diplomatic officers from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the European Union to debate how greatest to combat again towards Russian aggression.

Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned that he anticipated the 2 sides to succeed in a compromise in coming days that may break the impasse over whether or not talks may start with no truce in place.

Russian and Ukrainian officers are conscious of public opinion of their nations and are attempting to safe the help of the USA for his or her stances, he mentioned in explaining the delay.

Ukrainians react to peace prospects In Kyiv, residents expressed a combination of hope and despondency on the newest peace efforts.

Putin doesn’t need a truce to halt the struggle, as a result of “it can imply that he has misplaced,” Antonina Metko, 43, advised The Related Press. “That's the reason they're suspending it. And every little thing will proceed in the identical approach. Sadly.”

Vladyslav Nehrybetskyi, 72, was extra upbeat, saying that “the seeds” of a peace settlement are being sown, regardless that “a tough course of” lies forward. “So let’s hope.”

Ukraine’s authorities has tried to maintain up the momentum for a peace deal began by the Trump administration.

“Ukraine desires to finish this struggle and is doing every little thing for this,” Zelenskyy mentioned on Telegram Monday. “We count on applicable steps from Russia.”

The Ukrainian chief mentioned that he advised Pope Leo XIV about peace efforts throughout his first telephone dialog with the brand new pontiff.

Ukraine is relying on the Vatican’s assist in securing the return of 1000's of youngsters that the federal government says have been deported by Russia, Zelenskyy mentioned, including that he had invited the pope to go to Ukraine.

In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Leo referred to as for a real and simply peace in Ukraine.

“I carry in my coronary heart the sufferings of the beloved Ukrainian folks,” he mentioned.

In 2022, within the struggle’s early months, Zelenskyy repeatedly referred to as for a private assembly with Putin however was rebuffed, and ultimately enacted a decree declaring that holding negotiations with him had change into inconceivable.

Putin and Zelenskyy have solely met as soon as, in 2019. Trump says that “deep hatred” between the perimeters has made it tough to push peace efforts ahead.

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Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Danica Kirka in London, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, and Geir Moulson in Berlin, contributed to this report.

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Comply with AP’s protection of the struggle in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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