Russia has been ‘completely ignoring’ proposals for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and is attacking ‘all along’ the front line, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga has said.
Kyiv‘s main European allies have tried to set Moscow an ultimatum to either agree to the cessation of hostilities or face ‘massive’ new sanctions.
But Russian President Vladimir Putin has sidestepped the offer, instead offering to hold ‘direct talks’ with Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday.
‘Russians are completely ignoring the offer of a full and durable ceasefire starting on May 12. They continue to attack Ukrainian positions all along the frontline,’ Sybiga wrote on X after an online meeting with Kyiv’s Western allies today.
He said he had spoken to European ministers meeting in London, and they had discussed steps that could be taken against Moscow, including new sanctions against the Russian banking and energy sectors and the Russian central bank.
Kyiv accused Russia of launching a barrage of 108 drones at Ukraine overnight following the end of the three-day truce called by Putin.
The air force said 55 were shot down but that a civilian freight train had been hit, injuring its driver.
European politicians have urged Putin to stop ‘playing games’ and agree to the temporary 30-day ceasefire before talks about ending the war permanently can begin.
Kyiv ‘s main European allies have tried to set Moscow an ultimatum to either agree to the cessation in hostilities or face ‘massive’ new sanctions
Putin has ignored Europe’s ceasefire ultimatum, instead offering ‘direct talks’ with Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday
‘Russians are completely ignoring the offer of a full and durable ceasefire starting on May 12,’ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said: ‘If they are continuing bombing Ukraine all the time, if there’s no ceasefire, there can’t be talks under fire.
‘It has been over two months already when Ukraine agreed to [an] unconditional ceasefire. Russia has just played games. So I think they are playing games right now as well.’
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who hosted this morning’s meeting, added: ‘This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire and to get serious about talks.’
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot insisted an ‘unconditional truce’ for 30 days was a ‘pre-condition’ for further peace talks.
‘We’ve seen that President Zelenskyy has shown time and time again that he is open to negotiation, that he wants diplomacy, that wants peace,’ he said.
‘Putin’s only response has been more bombing, has been gaining time, has been closing the door to diplomacy.’
And Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares agreed a 30-day ceasefire would be the ‘first step’ to a ‘just and lasting peace.’
He added: ‘We are waiting for the answer of Vladimir Putin without any further delay.’
A German government spokesperson said: ‘The clock is ticking, we still have 12 hours until the end of the day, and if the ceasefire is not in place by then, the European side will [set in motion] preparations for sanctions.’
Europe’s united stance comes despite Trump signalling support for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, even without a temporary ceasefire beforehand.
Kyiv accused Russia of launching a barrage of 108 drones at Ukraine overnight following the end of the three-day truce called by Putin
The air force said 55 were shot down but that a civilian freight train had been hit, injuring its driver
European politicians have urged Putin to stop ‘playing games’ and agree to the temporary 30-day ceasefire before talks about ending the war permanently can begin
‘President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,’ he wrote on social media.
‘Ukraine should agree to this, 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!
‘HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!’
In a late-night address, Putin invited Ukraine to take part in ‘serious negotiations’ over the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin said he could ‘not rule out’ the possibility that the talks could result in Russia and Ukraine agreeing ‘a new truce’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also signalled he is keen to meet Putin directly this week, even if there is no cessation in hostilities.
He said: ‘I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday.
‘Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.’
Although he said a ‘full and lasting ceasefire’ from Monday would provide ‘the necessary basis for diplomacy,’ he did not specify that this would be a precondition for attending the talks.
The pair look set to negotiate in Istanbul this Thursday. The Kremlin said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘fully supported’ Putin’s proposal for peace talks and had gladly offered up a venue.
The Kremlin said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘fully supported’ Putin’s proposal for peace talks and had gladly offered up a venue
Erdogan’s office pointed out that ‘a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks’ this week
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov added: ‘We are focused on a serious search for ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement.’
Erdogan’s office pointed out that ‘a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks’ this week.
The White House has said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Turkey from Wednesday to Friday to meet NATO foreign ministers and discuss ‘ending the Russia-Ukraine war,’ meaning he will be in the country on the day of Putin’s proposed peace talks.
Earlier today Trump told reporters that he was ‘thinking’ of joining Moscow and Kyiv in Turkey this week following his trip to the Middle East.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .