President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine responded cautiously on Sunday to Russia’s supply of direct talks, calling it a “constructive signal” however insisting that President Vladimir V. Putin should comply with a right away cease-fire first.
The Ukrainian chief’s feedback got here hours after Mr. Putin successfully rejected a cease-fire and as an alternative proposed that direct talks between representatives of the 2 international locations happen on Might 15 in Istanbul. Mr. Zelensky didn’t straight deal with these particulars, however stated in a social media publish that he nonetheless “anticipated Russia to verify 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 simply accept a 30-day cease-fire or face further sanctions. The European leaders, who spoke with President Trump by telephone from Kyiv on Saturday, stated that america would additionally impose sanctions on Russia if Mr. Putin didn’t comply with the truce.
On Sunday, Mr. Trump questioned whether or not both aspect needed to make a deal. In a social media publish, Mr. Trump stated that Russia’s chief “doesn’t need to have a Stop Fireplace Settlement with Ukraine” however as an alternative desires to satisfy in Turkey. Mr. Trump added that he was “beginning to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal” with Putin, however implored either side to take the assembly.
“A minimum of they are going to be capable of 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 every part stands, and might proceed accordingly,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Since initiating efforts to finish the warfare in Ukraine three months in the past, the Trump administration has aligned with Russia on a vote within the United Nations on the warfare and resumed broader diplomatic ties with Moscow. It has left in place current financial sanctions however has not ramped up stress with further restrictions, whilst Mr. Putin has proven little signal of pulling again within the warfare.
In contrast, 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 stated would solely occur if 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 stated 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 beneath further sanctions.
President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey spoke with Mr. Putin and advised him he was keen to host discussions between Russia and Ukraine, in keeping with an announcement posted on social media by the Turkish presidency. It added that Mr. Erdogan stated {that a} complete cease-fire might result in a long-lasting deal to finish the warfare.
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 army confirmed that the majority long-range strikes had halted over that interval, however preventing 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 drive stated, setting off air alarms in a number of cities.
Erica L. Inexperienced contributed reporting.