Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded cautiously to a proposal made by Russia on Sunday to direct negotiations, calling it a “positive signal” but insisted that President Vladimir V. Putin must first agree to an immediate ceasefire.
The comments from Ukrainian leaders came hours after Putin effectively refused the ceasefire, but instead proposed that direct negotiations between the two representatives take place in Istanbul on May 15. Instead of addressing the details directly, Mr. Zelensky said in a social media post that he still “hopes Russia confirms the ceasefire” to begin on Monday.
Leaders from France, Britain, Germany and Poland visited Ukraine over the weekend and set a Monday deadline for Russia to accept a 30-day ceasefire or face additional sanctions. European leaders spoke to President Trump via phone via Kiev on Saturday, saying the United States would impose sanctions on Russia if Putin disagrees with a truce.
On Sunday, Mr. Trump questioned whether either party wanted to reach a deal. Trump said in a social media post that Russia's leaders “don't want to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine” but rather want to meet in Türkiye. Mr Trump added that he “begins doubting Ukraine would reach an agreement with Putin” but implored both sides to attend the meeting.
“At least they will be able to determine whether a deal is possible, and if it is not a deal, European leaders and the United States will know where everything is and can proceed accordingly,” Trump wrote.
Since efforts to end the Ukrainian war began three months ago, the Trump administration has voted at the United Nations on the war, consistent with Russia and restored wider diplomatic ties with Moscow. It has left existing economic sanctions, but no pressure to add additional restrictions, even if Mr. Putin shows little sign of retreating in the war.
By contrast, Ukraine agreed in March to a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire.
During a late-night press conference on Saturday, Mr. Putin responded to the European deadline by requesting direct negotiations with Ukraine, which will begin in Istanbul in the coming days. He did not accept the ceasefire proposal that a Kremlin spokesman said earlier, which would only happen if the Western government stopped providing weapons to Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron called Russia's inadequate response, saying it was “the first step, but not enough.” Mr. Macron said Mr. Putin was delaying with his direct negotiations and “want to buy time.”
European leaders who visited Keefe on Saturday were clear that Moscow could avoid additional sanctions only if an unconditional ceasefire was unavailable.
According to a statement posted on social media by the Turkish president, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Mr. Putin and told him he was willing to discuss between Russia and Ukraine. It added that Mr Erdogan said a full ceasefire could lead to a lasting deal to end the war.
The Kremlin announced a one-sided three-day truce last week, celebrating the anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany around the country. Ukrainian troops confirmed that during that period most of the long-range strikes stopped, but the battles along the front line continued.
Russia resumed its prolonged drone attack on Ukraine overnight on Sunday. The Ukrainian Air Force said that from midnight to mid Sunday, Russian forces launched 108 Iran-designed Shah drones.
Erica L. Green Contribution report.
