KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday expressed his openness to Russia's offer for direct peace talks but emphasized that a full, temporary ceasefire must be established before any negotiations can commence. Zelenskyy took to social media platform X to describe Russian President Vladimir Putin's counter-offer to begin talks without a ceasefire as a "positive sign," noting that "the entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time."
Despite acknowledging the diplomatic overture, Zelenskyy firmly stated that "the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire." His remarks came in the context of escalating tensions and continued hostilities, particularly following Russia's renewed mass drone attacks on Ukraine, which resumed early on Sunday after a self-proclaimed three-day hiatus.
According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched 108 attack drones and simulator drones from six different directions on Sunday. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted around 60 of those drones, while an additional 41 simulator drones were reportedly thwarted from reaching their intended targets due to effective countermeasures.
In light of the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy reiterated his call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, stating, "There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day." He urged Russia to confirm a ceasefire that is "full, lasting, and reliable," expressing readiness for negotiations to take place as early as May 12th.
However, Putin's remarks to the media implied a rejection of the proposed ceasefire, as he suggested resuming direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday "without preconditions." Putin indicated that the establishment of a ceasefire might be discussed during these negotiations, thereby leaving open the possibility for future dialogue.
This latest development followed a coordinated response from leaders of four major European countries, who threatened to increase pressure on Moscow if it does not accept the unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal made on Saturday, demonstrating solidarity with Ukraine.
In a subsequent social media statement, U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the situation as "a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!" He expressed his commitment to working with both parties to facilitate peace talks, asserting that the United States aims to focus on "Rebuilding and Trade" in the upcoming week.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, appearing on Russian state television, hailed Putin's proposal as "very serious," asserting that it reflects a genuine intention to find a peaceful resolution. Peskov outlined that the talks would address the underlying causes of the conflict while ensuring the interests of the Russian Federation are accounted for.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements complicating diplomatic efforts and highlighting the challenges both sides face in reaching a sustainable agreement. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, anticipating further actions from both Ukraine and Russia.
