Russian overtures welcome but ceasefire must come before peace talks, says Zelenskyy

Samya Kullab · The Associated Press

· Posted: May 11, 2025 8:41 AM EDT | Last Updated: 19 minutes ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy connected Sunday welcomed Russia's connection for nonstop bid talks, but insisted determination indispensable beryllium a full, impermanent ceasefire successful spot earlier negotiations tin start.

Zelenskyy, penning connected X, called Russian President Vladimir Putin's counter-offer to commencement talks without a ceasefire a "positive sign," and said that "the full satellite has been waiting for this for a precise agelong time."

He added, however, that "the precise archetypal measurement successful genuinely ending immoderate warfare is simply a ceasefire."

Meanwhile, Russia resumed wide drone attacks successful Ukraine aboriginal connected Sunday, aft its self-declared three-day intermission expired.

Russia launched 108 onslaught drones and simulator drones from six antithetic directions, Ukraine's Air Force said connected Sunday. It said 60 drones were changeable down and different 41 simulator drones failed to scope targets owed to Ukrainian countermeasures.

The Russian Defence Ministry connected Sunday accused Ukraine of "violating" Moscow's three-day ceasefire much than 14,000 times. Ukraine has besides accused Russia of violating its ain truce, with the Ukrainian overseas curate calling it a farce.

Ukraine did not hold to the May 8-10 ceasefire, which Russia unilaterally declared, and accused Russia of repeatedly violating it.

The Ukrainian president appeared to importune connected his connection to commencement a 30-day unconditional ceasefire connected Monday. "There is nary constituent successful continuing the sidesplitting adjacent for a azygous day. We expect Russia to corroborate a ceasefire — full, lasting and reliable — starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is acceptable to meet," Zelenskyy said.

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In remarks to the media overnight, Putin efficaciously rejected that ceasefire connection and proposed restarting nonstop talks with Ukraine in Istanbul connected Thursday "without preconditions."

A ceasefire mightiness beryllium agreed connected during the negotiations, helium said.

Putin's counteroffer came aft leaders from 4 large European countries threatened to ratchet up unit on Moscow if it does not judge an unconditional 30-day ceasefire successful Ukraine that they offered connected Saturday successful a beardown amusement of unity with Kyiv.

In a societal media station respective hours aft Putin's remarks, U.S. President Donald Trump said it was "a perchance large time for Russia and Ukraine!"

"I volition proceed to enactment with some sides to marque definite that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, connected Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!" helium added.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, successful comments aired by Russian authorities TV connected Sunday, called Putin's connection "very serious" and said it confirms a existent volition to "find a peaceful solution."

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"The goals of the talks are clear: To destruct the basal causes of the struggle and besides to guarantee the interests of the Russian Federation," Peskov said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told France's Emmanuel Macron successful a telephone telephone that Turkey was acceptable to lend to bid betwixt Russia and Ukraine, including hosting negotiations.

During the telephone connected Sunday, Erdogan said a "historic turning point" had been reached successful efforts to extremity the war, according to a connection from the Turkish statesmanlike communications office.

The Turkish person besides spoke to Putin connected Sunday, his communications bureau said, and affirmed his readiness to big negotiations "that could pb to a lasting resolution."

Erdogan besides said helium welcomed Putin's connection regarding the resumption of bid talks successful Istanbul.