Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a bold challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to meet in person for peace negotiations in Istanbul on Thursday.
According to reporting by The Guardian and international agencies, Zelenskyy’s call came after Moscow rejected a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by Ukraine and its European allies, though Russia did signal readiness for direct talks without preconditions in Turkey. In his statement, Zelenskyy insisted that a ceasefire starting Monday would create the necessary conditions for meaningful diplomacy and expressed hope that Russia would no longer delay peace talks.
The Ukrainian leader’s comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s pressure on Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s offer of direct talks. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, calling on Zelenskyy to have the meeting immediately, describing the Russian proposal as a chance to determine if peace was achievable. Trump argued that even if talks did not result in an agreement, at least the international community would have clarity on the situation and could adjust their strategies accordingly. Shortly after Trump’s statement, Zelenskyy publicly confirmed his willingness to meet in Turkey.
Despite Russia’s proposal for direct negotiations, European leaders remained cautious. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded that while the Russian offer was a positive development, it was insufficient without an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized that any dialogue should only begin after weapons had fallen silent. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the demand for a ceasefire as a precondition for talks. Macron also consulted with other European leaders, including British and Polish officials, as well as Trump and Zelenskyy, to coordinate the allied position.
Tensions remained high as Ukraine accused Russia of launching a wave of over 100 drones into Ukrainian territory on Saturday night, shortly after the expiration of a 72-hour ceasefire which both sides admitted had not been fully respected. Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down 60 of the drones, including Iranian-made Shahed models and other imitation drones, further escalating the urgency for diplomatic engagement. The continued drone attacks underscored the fragile and volatile security situation on the ground even amid talk of negotiations.
Adding to the geopolitical pressure, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Sunday that Polish investigators concluded that Russian secret services were behind the massive fire that destroyed a major shopping center in Warsaw in 2024. The Guardian reported that Tusk claimed some suspects were already in custody, while others have been identified and are being pursued. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV used his first Sunday address at the Vatican to plead for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, urging all parties to work toward ending the conflict and bringing relief to those suffering in the war zone.
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