Zelensky Demands Cease-Fire in Response to Putin’s Call for Direct Talks

Undercutting a weekend of European diplomacy, President Trump on Sunday implored Ukraine to just accept a Russian proposal for direct talks reasonably than insist on a cease-fire first — as had been specified by a plan introduced a day earlier by European leaders throughout a go to to Kyiv.

The leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Poland had set a deadline of Monday for Russia to just accept a 30-day cease-fire — one initially proposed by the Trump administration — or face further sanctions.

When President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia made a counteroffer of direct talks, with out mentioning a cease-fire, France and Germany rebuffed the proposal. Mr. Trump’s envoy to Ukraine within the talks, Gen. Keith Kellogg, had additionally earlier Sunday mentioned Russia ought to halt hostilities as a primary step in negotiations.

However Mr. Trump wrote in a submit on Reality Social that “President Putin of Russia doesn’t wish to have a Stop Hearth Settlement with Ukraine.” The Russian chief, he wrote, needed direct talks to be hosted by Turkey as an alternative. “Ukraine ought to conform to this, IMMEDIATELY,” Mr. Trump wrote.

Earlier within the day, Mr. Zelensky responded cautiously to the Russian counteroffer of direct talks, insisting once more on a halt within the combating. After Mr. Trump’s submit, Mr. Zelensky added a brand new twist to the diplomatic brinkmanship, saying he would personally attend negotiations. Mr. Putin, in suggesting direct talks, had not proposed a presidential assembly.

Mr. Zelensky’s declaration in a submit on X didn’t make clear whether or not his participation would rely upon Russia first accepting a cease-fire, however he known as once more for Russia to halt hostilities to permit for diplomacy.

“I shall be ready for Putin in Turkey on Thursday,” he wrote. “Personally. I hope this time the Russians is not going to search for excuses.”

The flurry of exchanges got here hours after Mr. Putin successfully rejected the Monday cease-fire deadline and as an alternative proposed that direct talks between representatives of the 2 international locations happen on Thursday in Istanbul.

Earlier than setting the Monday deadline and threatening further sanctions, European leaders had spoken with Mr. Trump by cellphone from Kyiv on Saturday. They mentioned that the US would additionally impose sanctions on Russia if Mr. Putin didn’t conform to a truce.

In backing the Russian counteroffer of talks in Istanbul, Mr. Trump wrote: “At the least they are going to be capable to decide whether or not or not a deal is feasible, and if it isn’t, European leaders, and the U.S., will know the place all the pieces stands, and might proceed accordingly.”

Since initiating efforts to finish the battle in Ukraine three months in the past, the Trump administration has aligned with Russia on a vote within the United Nations on the battle and resumed broader diplomatic ties with Moscow. It has left in place present financial sanctions however has not ramped up strain with further restrictions, at the same time as Mr. Putin has proven little signal of pulling again within the battle.

Civilian casualties have risen because the Trump administration cease-fire talks started, in contrast with the identical interval a yr in the past, in keeping with the United Nations. Ukraine agreed in March to an American proposal for an unconditional cease-fire.

Along with Mr. Putin’s name for direct talks, the Kremlin spokesman on Saturday mentioned Russia would settle for a truce provided that Western governments stopped supplying arms to Ukraine.

President Emmanuel Macron of France known as Russia’s response inadequate, saying as he left Ukraine that it was “a primary step however not sufficient.” Mr. Macron mentioned that Mr. Putin was stalling together with his counteroffer of direct talks and “desires to purchase time.”

In a press release on Sunday, the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, supported Mr. Zelensky’s demand that Russia conform to a cease-fire earlier than direct talks can start.

“If the Russian facet now alerts a willingness to speak, that’s initially an excellent signal,” Mr. Merz mentioned. “However it’s removed from enough. We anticipate Moscow to now conform to a cease-fire that may make actual talks potential. The weapons should first fall silent earlier than talks can start.”

The European leaders who visited Kyiv on Saturday had been clear that solely agreeing to an unconditional cease-fire would spare Moscow further sanctions focusing on oil exports and banking.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey spoke with Mr. Putin and instructed him he was keen to host discussions between Russia and Ukraine, in keeping with a press release by the Turkish presidency. Mr. Erdogan mentioned {that a} complete cease-fire may result in an enduring deal to finish the battle.

The Kremlin declared a unilateral, three-day truce final week across the nation’s celebration of the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine’s army confirmed that almost all long-range strikes had halted over that interval, however combating alongside the entrance carried on with out pause.

Russia resumed its long-range drone assaults on Ukraine in a single day on Sunday. From midnight till mid-morning Sunday, Russian forces launched 108 Iranian-designed Shahed drones, the Ukrainian air pressure mentioned, setting off air alarms in a number of cities.

Erica L. Inexperienced, Anastasia Kuznietsova and Clay Risen contributed reporting.