Zelenskyy challenges Putin to fulfill him in Turkey ‘personally’ for ceasefire talks

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday challenged Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to fulfill him personally in Turkey on Thursday, the most recent transfer in a weekend-long alternate of proposals from either side on the following steps within the U.S.-led peace effort.

Zelenskyy mentioned that he nonetheless hopes for a ceasefire with Russia beginning Monday, and that he’ll “be waiting for Putin” in Turkey “personally” after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted Ukraine settle for Russia’s newest provide — to carry direct talks in Turkey on Thursday. Ukraine, together with European allies, had demanded Russia settle for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning Monday earlier than holding talks, however Moscow successfully rejected the proposal and referred to as for direct negotiations as a substitute.

It was not clear if Zelenskyy was conditioning his presence in Turkey on the Monday ceasefire holding, and there was no instant remark from the Kremlin on whether or not Putin would go. In 2022, the warfare’s early months, Zelenskyy repeatedly referred to as for a private assembly with the Russian president however was rebuffed, and finally enacted a decree declaring that holding negotiations with Putin had change into unimaginable.

“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in (Turkey) on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelenskyy wrote on X on Sunday.

Trump mentioned in a social media submit earlier Sunday that Ukraine ought to conform to Putin’s peace talks proposal “IMMEDIATELY.”

“At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!” Trump wrote, including: “HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”

Ukraine, allies insist on a ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday and issued a coordinated name for a 30-day truce beginning Monday. The plan has obtained backing from each the European Union and Trump.

The leaders pledged harder sanctions on Russia if Putin didn’t settle for the proposal.

Putin in remarks to the media in a single day successfully rejected the provide and proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday as a substitute “without preconditions.” He didn’t specify whether or not the talks on Thursday would contain Zelenskyy and himself personally.

He mentioned a ceasefire may be agreed on through the negotiations — however harassed that the Kremlin wants a truce that will result in a “lasting peace” as a substitute of 1 that will permit Ukraine to rearm and mobilize extra males into its armed forces.

Zelenskyy mentioned on X on Sunday morning that it was a “positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” however insisted on a ceasefire first.

Putin and Zelenskyy have solely met as soon as — in 2019. After repeated unsuccessful requires a private assembly with the Russian chief early on within the warfare, and following the Kremlin’s choice in September 2022 to illegally annex 4 areas of Ukraine, Zelenskyy enacted a decree declaring that holding negotiations with Putin had change into unimaginable.

Macron mentioned Sunday that Putin’s provide of direct negotiations with Ukraine is “a first step, but not enough,” signaling continued Western skepticism towards Moscow’s intentions.

“An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations,” Macron advised reporters on the Polish-Ukrainian border, based on French media, including that Putin is “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time.”

Moscow presses on with peace talks provide. Turkey says it is able to host

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in feedback aired by Russian state TV on Sunday, referred to as Putin’s proposal “very serious,” geared toward eliminating “the root causes of the conflict,” and mentioned it “confirms a real intention to find a peaceful solution.”

With out immediately mentioning Moscow’s proposal, Trump mentioned in a social media submit a number of hours after Putin’s in a single day remarks that it was “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!”

“Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end,” Trump wrote. “I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!” he added.

In one other submit on Sunday, the U.S. president mentioned Ukraine ought to settle for Putin’s provide “to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH.” He added, nevertheless, that he was “starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin.”

Putin spoke Sunday to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who expressed readiness to host the talks, the Kremlin mentioned.

In response to the Kremlin’s readout of the cellphone name, Erdogan “fully supported the Russian proposal” and was prepared to offer a platform for the talks and help in organizing them.

In a separate cellphone name to Macron on Sunday, Erdogan mentioned {that a} “historic turning point” had been reached in efforts to finish the warfare, based on a press release from the Turkish presidential communications workplace.

Questions over subsequent steps persist as assaults proceed

Zelenskyy in his nightly video tackle on Sunday mentioned he nonetheless anticipated a ceasefire to take maintain on Monday, and that he was nonetheless ready for a “clear answer” from Russia about it.

Zelenskyy mentioned he was additionally ready to see response from Western allies who on Saturday promised sturdy sanctions in opposition to Russia if Putin didn’t abide by the Monday truce.

“We have repeatedly heard from partners that they are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin refuses a ceasefire. We will see,” he mentioned.

He reiterated he can be current in Turkey on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov didn’t instantly reply to a message from The Related Press asking for a remark.

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 mentioned. It mentioned 60 drones have been shot down and one other 41 simulator drones failed to achieve targets as a consequence of Ukrainian countermeasures.

The Russian Protection Ministry on Sunday accused Ukraine of “violating” Moscow’s three-day ceasefire greater than 14,000 instances. Ukraine, which didn’t conform to the Might 8-10 ceasefire, has additionally accused Russia of violating its personal truce, with the Ukrainian overseas minister calling it a farce.

A Russian official on Sunday night additionally accused Ukrainian forces of a missile strike on a city in Russia’s Kursk area that borders Ukraine. Appearing Gov. Alexander Khinshtein mentioned on Telegram that the strike “seriously damaged” a lodge in Rylsk, a city east of the Ukrainian border, and wounded three individuals.