President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine responded cautiously on Sunday to Russia’s provide of direct talks, calling it a “optimistic signal” however insisting that President Vladimir V. Putin should conform to a direct cease-fire first.
The Ukrainian chief’s feedback got here hours after Mr. Putin successfully rejected a cease-fire and as a substitute proposed that direct talks between representatives of the 2 international locations happen on Thursday in Istanbul. Mr. Zelensky didn’t straight tackle these particulars however mentioned in a social media publish that he nonetheless “anticipated Russia to substantiate a cease-fire” that may begin on Monday.
The leaders of France, Britain, Germany and Poland visited Ukraine over the weekend and set a Monday deadline for Russia to just accept a 30-day cease-fire or face extra sanctions. The European leaders, who spoke with President Trump by telephone from Kyiv on Saturday, mentioned that the USA would additionally impose sanctions on Russia if Mr. Putin didn’t conform to the truce.
On Sunday, Mr. Trump questioned whether or not both aspect needed to make a deal. In a social media post, Mr. Trump mentioned that Russia’s chief “doesn’t need to have a Stop Fireplace Settlement with Ukraine” however as a substitute hopes to fulfill in Turkey. Mr. Trump added that he was “beginning to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal” with Mr. Putin however implored each side to fulfill.
“At the least they’ll be capable to decide whether or not or not a deal is feasible, and if it’s not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know the place all the things stands, and may proceed accordingly,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Since initiating efforts to finish the conflict in Ukraine three months in the past, the Trump administration has aligned with Russia on a vote within the United Nations on the conflict and resumed broader diplomatic ties with Moscow. It has left in place current financial sanctions however has not ramped up stress with extra restrictions, whilst Mr. Putin has proven little signal of pulling again within the conflict.
Against this, Ukraine agreed in March to an American proposal for an unconditional cease-fire.
At a late-night information convention on Saturday, Mr. Putin responded to the European deadline by asking for direct talks with Ukraine that may start in Istanbul within the coming days. He didn’t settle for the cease-fire proposal, which the Kremlin spokesman had earlier mentioned would occur provided that Western governments stopped supplying arms to Ukraine.
President Emmanuel Macron of France known as Russia’s response inadequate, saying as he left Ukraine that it was “a primary step however not sufficient.” Mr. Macron mentioned that Mr. Putin was stalling together with his counteroffer of direct talks and “desires to purchase time.”
The European leaders who visited Kyiv on Saturday had been clear that solely with an unconditional cease-fire would Moscow keep away from coming below extra sanctions.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey spoke with Mr. Putin and advised him he was keen to host discussions between Russia and Ukraine, in accordance with a press release posted on social media by the Turkish presidency. It added that Mr. Erdogan mentioned {that a} complete cease-fire might result in an enduring deal to finish the conflict.
The Kremlin declared a unilateral, three-day truce final week across the nation’s celebration of the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine’s navy confirmed that almost all long-range strikes had halted over that interval, however combating alongside the entrance carried on with out pause.
Russia resumed its long-range drone assaults on Ukraine in a single day on Sunday. From midnight till mid-morning Sunday, Russian forces launched 108 Iranian-designed Shahed drones, the Ukrainian Air Pressure mentioned, setting off air alarms in a number of cities.
Erica L. Inexperienced contributed reporting.
