US president Donald Trump appeared to mock Vladimir Putin’s Second World War victory parade after the Russian leader called for direct peace talks with Ukraine.
Mr Trump said it was unlikely Ukraine could make a deal with Mr Putin because the Russian leader was “too busy celebrating the victory of World War II”.
He added that the conflict “could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States” after Mr Putin said on Friday the Soviet Union determined the outcome of the war.
Mr Putin was joined by dozens of foreign leaders, who witnessed more than 11,000 troops on display in Red Square, Moscow, on Friday.
At the same time, Ukraine and Europe proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which was backed by Washington. Mr Putin said Russia was seeking “serious negotiations” and suggested direct talks in Istanbul on Thursday.
Despite Mr Trump’s jibe, the US president urged Ukraine to agree to Mr Putin’s proposal “immediately”. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!, he said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has responded by saying he would be “waiting for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally”. He added that Mr Putin had not responded to the 30-day ceasefire proposal yet.
Read More
Key Points
- Trump appears to mock Putin over Second World War victory parade
- Vladimir Putin wants direct talks with Kyiv 'without preconditions'
- Zelensky: 'We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire'
- Macron: Ceasefire needed for discussions to begin
- Russia launches air attack on Kyiv - mayor
In pictures: Starmer, Macron and Zelensky visit wall of remembrance for fallen soldiers
Sunday 11 May 2025 23:03
,
Holly Bancroft
As well as issuing a joint call for a 30-day full ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, the UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky were photographed paying their respects at the wall of remembrance for fallen Ukrainian soldiers on Saturday.
Putin's counter proposal effectively rejects ceasefire deal
Sunday 11 May 2025 21:00
,
Barney Davis
Russian President Vladimir Putin in remarks to the media overnight effectively rejected the ceasefire offer and proposed restarting direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday instead "without preconditions." He said a ceasefire might be agreed on during the negotiations.
Putin's counter-offer came after leaders from four major European countries threatened to ratchet up pressure on Moscow if it does not accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday and issued a coordinated call for the truce starting Monday. The plan has received backing from both the European Union and U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a social media post several hours after Putin's overnight remarks about peace talks, Trump said it was "a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!"
"I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens. The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!" he added.
'Historic' peace talks to take place next week in Turkey - Erdogan
Sunday 11 May 2025 19:01
,
Barney Davis
Turkish President Erdogan has spoken of his country’s role in hosting direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
“A historic turning point has been reached on the path to ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, and this opportunity should be seized... Turkey is ready to do everything possible, including negotiations, to ensure a ceasefire and lasting peace,” Erdogan said during the conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
NATO member Turkey has maintained cordial ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
It has voiced support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and provided it with military help, while opposing sanctions on Russia.
Zelensky agrees to Putin's Istanbul peace talks
Sunday 11 May 2025 18:15
,
Alexander Butler
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will “waiting for Putin” in Istanbul after the Russian leader proposed direct talks to end the war.
“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Mr Zelensky said.
“I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
Mr Zelensky also said he was awaiting a “full and lasting ceasefire” to lay the groundwork for diplomacy.
We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 11, 2025
Trump appears to mock Putin over Second World War victory parade
Sunday 11 May 2025 18:05
,
Alexander Butler
US president Donald Trump appeared to mock Vladimir Putin’s Second World War victory parade after the Russian leader called for direct peace talks with Ukraine.
Mr Trump said it was unlikely Ukraine could make a deal with Mr Putin because the Russian leader was “too busy celebrating the victory of World War II”.
He added that the conflict “could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States” after Mr Putin said on Friday the Soviet Union determined the outcome of the war.
The Russian dictator was joined by dozens of foreign leaders, who witnessed more than 11,000 troops on display in Red Square, Moscow, on Friday.
Putin risks overplaying his hand with Trump over peace conditions - former Trump advisor
Sunday 11 May 2025 18:01
,
Barney Davis
John Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser, said Russian President Vladimir Putin risks "overplaying his hand" during the negotiations to establish peace with Ukraine.
The Hill reported that Bolton said: "As this war drags on, I think his position does get weaker."
"The real question is whether, between the efforts of the United States, the efforts of Europe to get a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, it's going to happen."
"Putin has already gotten a lot of concessions for what he wants. He wants to hold on to the territory Russia's seized in Ukraine."
But Bolton said time is running out. "I think at this point, he may be at risk of overplaying his hand with Trump."
Trained on Xbox, these Gen Z gamers are fighting for real in Ukraine’s war against Russia
Sunday 11 May 2025 17:32
,
Holly Bancroft
On a mild spring evening, deep in eastern Ukraine, Shawn McVey — call sign ‘Goldfish’ — peers into a gully where controlled chaos is unfolding, writes Harry Stourton.
“If you’re too busy killing, you don’t have time to die!” he bellows across the smoke-filled twilight.
Explosions punctuate the dusk, casting brief, searing flashes over a network of trenches carved deep into Ukrainian soil. Helmets bob through the haze; figures crawl and scramble under fire, their shouts blending with the staccato of simulated gunfire.
“Your job isn’t to die for Ukraine — it’s to make sure they die for Russia!” roars Brad, call sign ‘Cossack’, a grizzled 20-year veteran of the US 82nd Airborne and the camp’s head instructor.
Amid the mayhem, a handful of Western voices rise over the chaos. This unlikely patch of rural Donetsk in eastern Ukraine has become a hub for an influx of foreigners signing up to fight against Russia — a growing phenomenon that Ukrainian commanders and a cadre of Western veterans are now working to shape into a disciplined force.
Continue reading here:
"Never again war": Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine
Sunday 11 May 2025 17:03
,
Barney Davis
In his first Sunday blessing, Pope Leo XIV called for a just peace in Ukraine and the release of prisoners of war and kidnapped children.
"I also appeal to the great powers of the world, repeating the eternal call ‘Never again war’", said Leo from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, addressing approximately 100,000 people who gathered below.
Pope Leo also quoted Pope Francis, who condemned a series of conflicts that are devastating the world today, calling it "the third world war in parts."
"I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people," he said. "May everything possible be done to achieve a true, just and lasting peace as soon as possible."
He also called for the return of Ukrainian children home.
Zelensky welcomes Russia's offer for direct peace talks
Sunday 11 May 2025 16:35
,
Barney Davis
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday welcomed Russia's offer for direct peace talks, but insisted there must be a full, temporary ceasefire in place before negotiations can start.
Zelensky, writing on X, said it was a "positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war" and said that "the entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time."
He added, however, that "the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire."
Meanwhile, Russia resumed mass drone attacks in Ukraine early on Sunday, after its self-declared three-day pause expired.
Russia launched 108 attack drones and simulator drones from six different directions, Ukraine's air force said.
German chancellor says Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Ukraine a ‘good sign’
Sunday 11 May 2025 16:03
,
Barney Davis
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul a “good sign.”
During an overnight news conference in Moscow, Putin proposed the resumption of direct peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul, starting on Thursday.
In a press release published by the German government’s press and information office, Merz was quoted as saying that Berlin and the so-called coalition of the willing called for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
“If the Russian side now signals a willingness to talk, that is initially a good sign. But it is far from sufficient,” Merz further said.
Casualties mount after Russian strike on Kherson
Sunday 11 May 2025 15:28
,
Barney Davis
Two women have been injured after a Russian shelling damaged balconies and broke windows in Kherson.
Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram: “Two people were injured.
“A 76-year-old woman was hospitalised with shrapnel wounds. Also, a 57-year-old woman who was on the street at the time of the enemy attack sought medical assistance.
“She was diagnosed with a mine-blast injury and a broken arm. The victim was provided with the necessary assistance. She will be treated on an outpatient basis in the future,” the statement said.
Ceasefire first then peace negotiations - Kellogg
Sunday 11 May 2025 14:54
,
Barney Davis
Trump's special representative in Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said that there must be a ceasefire before negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow can begin.
Retweeting the New Zealander PM's support for a 30-day ceasefire, Kellogg says: “Even the Prime Minister of New Zealand gets it. As President Trump has repeatedly said, stop the killing!!
"An unconditional 30-day ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions. Not the other way around.”
US Secretary of State Rubio to attend NATO meeting on Ukraine-Russia
Sunday 11 May 2025 14:22
,
Barney Davis
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the informal NATO foreign ministers meeting in Turkey on May 14-16 to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
"Looking towards the NATO Summit in The Hague this June, the Secretary will advance President Trump's agenda of ensuring that our Allies contribute their fair share to making NATO stronger and more effective," the State Department said in a statement.
Russia launches drone strike on Sumy
Sunday 11 May 2025 14:09
,
Barney Davis
Russian forces launched a drone strike early in the morning, damaging homes and businesses, the Sumy City Council said.
"This morning, a UAV attacked the Sumy community, damaging a private car, a private household, and a service station. Preliminary reports indicate that there were no casualties," a statement posted to Telegram reads.
Ukrainian forces are evacuating civilians from frontline communities in the Sumy region.
Kremlin spokesperson says Putin favours 'maximum peaceful approach' and wants to 'find a solution'
Sunday 11 May 2025 13:33
,
Holly Bancroft
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN after Russian president Vladimir Putin’s statement about peace talks that Russia wanted to a find a solution to end the war.
He said: “This is maximum peaceful approach. This is a very serious approach, proving a real intention to find a solution”.
Mr Putin proposed talks with Ukraine starting from May 15 in Turkey. He framed the peace talks as a continuation of failed negotiations in 2022, which also took place in Turkey.
Mr Putin also said that the direct talks should start without “any preconditons”. European leaders have been pushing for a 30-day ceasefire to start ahead of any negotiations, with French president Emmanuel Macron saying that talks should not happen while people are being killed.
Mr Peskov also told Russia state TV that Mr Putin's proposal was "very serious" and said it "confirms a real intention to find a peaceful solution".
He added: "The goals of the talks are clear: to eliminate the root causes of the conflict. And also to ensure the interests of the Russian Federation."
Recap: Putin ‘called out’ by Starmer, Trump and European leaders to agree Ukraine truce
Sunday 11 May 2025 13:02
,
Holly Bancroft
Russian president Vladimir Putin has proposed peace talks instead of a ceasefire despite European leaders pushing for a pause in fighting from Monday.
Here Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin recaps what the leaders of Ukraine, France, the UK, Poland and Germany were pushing for in their summit on Saturday:
Keir Starmer and other European leaders have warned Vladimir Putin he faces "massive" new sanctions and increased military aid to Ukraine if he does not agree to an almost immediate 30-day ceasefire.
The prime minister said they were “calling out” the Russian leader with the backing of Donald Trump. “If [Putin] is serious about peace, he has a chance to show it now,” Sir Keir said.
And he warned there were “no more ifs and buts” after he flew to Kyiv to stand side by side with President Zelensky, saying Putin had not required extra conditions to be met when “he wanted a ceasefire to have a parade – and he does not need them now”.
Watch: Richard Tice suggests Nigel Farage has changed his mind on his claim that the West ‘provoked’ Russia
Sunday 11 May 2025 12:31
,
Holly Bancroft
Woman injured in Vasylivka drone attack
Sunday 11 May 2025 12:30
,
Barney Davis
Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, said Russia had launched a second drone strike on a village in the Vasylivka district despite ceasefire talks.
"Russian forces struck the village for the second time today, using an FPV drone. A house was damaged, and a woman was injured. She is receiving the necessary medical assistance," Fedorov wrote on Telegram.
It came after Russian forces attacked the village of Pavlivka using glide bombs, leaving another woman wounded.
Turkey says it is ready to hold Ukraine-Russia peace talks
Sunday 11 May 2025 11:30
,
Holly Bancroft
Turkey is ready to host negotiations for a ceasefire and permanent peace between Russia and Ukraine, President Tayyip Erdogan told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Sunday, Mr Erdogan's office said.
Mr Erdogan told Mr Macron in a phone call that "a historic turning point" had been reached towards ending the war and that the opportunity should be seized, according to a readout from the Turkish presidency.
He said Turkey was ready to make every contribution to ensure that a ceasefire and permanent peace could be reached between Russia and Ukraine, including hosting the negotiations.
He also spoke with Vladimir Putin to tell him that Turkey was ready to host peace talks.
Pope Leo calls for 'authentic and lasting peace' in Ukraine
Sunday 11 May 2025 11:16
,
Holly Bancroft
Pope Leo XIV has called for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine in his first Sunday prayer address.
Speaking from the main central loggia balcony of St Peter’s basilica in The Vatican, he also called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He prayed that God would deliver to the world a “miracle of peace”.
Speaking of Ukraine, he said: “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. May whatever is possible be done to reach an authentic, true and lasting peace as soon as possible. May all the prisoners be freed, may children return to their families.”
He welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and said he hoped negotiations would lead to a lasting peace.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating three-day truce
Sunday 11 May 2025 10:50
,
Holly Bancroft
The Russian Defence Ministry has said that Ukraine had violated a three-day truce concluded on Saturday more than 14,000 times, and Kyiv's troops had made five attempts to breach Russia's southern border, the TASS state news agency reported.
The comments come after the Ukrainian air force said that Russia had launched more than 100 attack drones during the proposed ceasefire period.
Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused the other of violating the May 8-10 ceasefire, which Kyiv did not agree to. The pause was announced by Russia to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
More than 100 drones launched by Russia against Ukraine after truce, Ukrainian air force say
Sunday 11 May 2025 10:31
,
Holly Bancroft
More than 100 drones were launched against Ukraine by Russia following Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a Victory Day truce, the Ukrainian air force have said.
Both sides have accused each other of breaching the truce. The three-day ceasefire was announced by Russia to coincide with their commemorations of the 80th anniversary of victory in World War Two.
In a post on Telegram, the Ukrainian Air Force wrote: “On the night of May 11, the enemy attacked with 108 Shahed attack drones and other types of drones. As a result of the enemy attack, the Sumy region suffered.”
Yvette Cooper: 'We need a serious response from Russia'
Sunday 11 May 2025 10:01
,
Holly Bancroft
The UK home secretary has said that "we need a serious response from Russia" on the war in Ukraine.
Yvette Cooper was speaking to Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips after Vladimir Putin proposed starting direct talks with Ukraine.
Ms Cooper said: "Well, we need a serious response from Russia.
"They started this illegal invasion of Ukraine and everyone wants to see peace in Ukraine, and now we've had the huge international pressure calling for a ceasefire.
"We do need to now see a serious response from the Russian regime. That so far has been lacking, I hope that they will now take this seriously."
Russia-Ukraine talks will take into account 2022 negotiations
Sunday 11 May 2025 09:43
,
Holly Bancroft
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov has said that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine proposed by president Vladimir Putin will take into account the situation on the ground as well as the negotiations of 2022, the Interfax news agency reported.
Mr Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.
Mr Putin mentioned the 2022 draft deal which Russia and Ukraine negotiated shortly after the Russian invasion of February 2022 in his comments. Under that draft, Ukraine would reportedly have to agree to permanent neutrality in return for security guarantees from the UN Security Council.
Mr Putin said: “It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv. Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions”.
Macron: Ceasefire needed for discussions to begin
Sunday 11 May 2025 09:13
,
Holly Bancroft
French president Emmanuel Macron has also responded to Vladimir Putin’s proposal of peace talks this morning.
In a statement, Mr Macron said that “a ceasefire is needed now for discussions to begin”.
He said: “In Kyiv and with President Trump, we made a clear proposal: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. President Zelensky has made a commitment without any conditions.
“We expect an equally clear response from Russia. You don’t negotiate when weapons speak. There is no discussion if, at the same time, populations are being bombed.
“A ceasefire is needed now for discussions to begin. For peace”.
Zelensky: 'We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire'
Sunday 11 May 2025 08:53
,
Holly Bancroft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Vladimir Putin’s proposals, saying Ukraine “expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire”.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Zelensky said: “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.
“There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12th, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”
UK government says it needs to ‘see a serious response from Russia’
Sunday 11 May 2025 08:42
,
Kate Devlin
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been asked about Ukraine on Sky News. She said: “We need to see a serious response from Russia… that so far has been lacking, I hope they take this opportunity”.
Recap | Leaders make ‘material progress’ towards Ukraine peace, says Starmer
Sunday 11 May 2025 08:10
,
Jabed Ahmed
Allied leaders made “material progress” towards a ceasefire in Ukraine on Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said.
This happened before Vladimir Putin made his proposal for direct peace talks with Ukraine.
The prime minister said on Saturday that European allies “together with the US” are “calling Putin out” and pledged to ramp up sanctions further if he “turns his back on peace”.
He had travelled to Kyiv alongside his French, German and Polish counterparts for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky about the so-called coalition of the willing.
The leaders in the Ukrainian capital also spoke by phone to US President Donald Trump, who has also previously called for a 30-day truce.
In response to Mr Putin’s comments on direct talks with Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said Mr Putin’s comments were “a first step, but not enough” and that the Russian president was “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time”.
Kyiv yet to respond to Putin's invitation
Sunday 11 May 2025 07:53
,
Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has yet to respond to Vladimir Putin’s invitation for direct talks in Turkey.
Russia, Putin said, had proposed several ceasefires, including a moratorium on striking energy facilities, an Easter ceasefire and most recently the 72-hour truce during the celebrations marking 80 years since victory in World War Two.
Both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating the temporary truce proposals, including the 8-10 May ceasefire.
Despite Putin's call for peace talks, Russia on Sunday launched a drone attack on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine, injuring one person in the region surrounding the Ukrainian capital and damaging several private homes, Ukrainian officials said.
Putin said that he does not rule out that during his proposed talks in Turkey, both sides will agree on "some new truces, a new ceasefire," but one that would be the first step towards a "sustainable" peace.
Recap | Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine after three years of war
Sunday 11 May 2025 07:32
,
Jabed Ahmed
Good morning,
Here is a recap if you are just joining us:
Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine earlier today that he said should be aimed at bringing a durable peace.
The Russian leader, who has offered few concessions towards ending the conflict so far, said the talks in Istanbul in Turkey on 15 May, will be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the war and restoring a "long-term, lasting peace" rather than simply a pause for rearmament.
"We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions," Putin said from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday. "We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul."
"Our proposal, as they say, is on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples."
Trump hails Putin’s proposal
In a message on the social network Truth Social, Trump hailed Putin's proposal as a positive for ending the war.
"A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!" Trump said. "Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end."
European leaders met in Kyiv on Saturday
Mr Putin’s proposal came hours after major European powers demanded on Saturday in Kyiv that Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face "massive" new sanctions.
Putin dismissed what he said was the attempt by some European powers to lay down "ultimatums".
BREAKING: Russia launches air attack on Kyiv, city's mayor says
Sunday 11 May 2025 04:37
,
Rhian Lubin, Reuters
Ukraine's air defence units were trying to repel a Russian air attack on Kyiv, the city's mayor said early Sunday, after the country’s air force warned of a drone attack on the capital.
It comes just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul on May 15.
BREAKING: Putin wants direct talks with Kyiv
Sunday 11 May 2025 00:19
,
Rhian Lubin
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants direct talks with Ukraine “without preconditions” on May 15 in Istanbul, he said on Sunday.
The proposal comes after Ukraine, European leaders and President Donald Trump earlier agreed on an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
The ceasefire announcement was made Saturday by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine after a meeting in Kyiv.
They threatened Putin with new “massive sanctions” if he failed to comply.
The leaders then called Mr Trump on the phone after the meeting.
Kremlin says European countries' statements are 'confrontational'
Saturday 10 May 2025 15:00
,
Barney Davis
The Kremlin accused European countries on Saturday of making contradictory and confrontational statements, Interfax news agency reported, after European leaders backed a plan for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine and threatened Russia with "massive" sanctions if it failed to comply.
"We hear many contradictory statements from Europe. They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations. Nothing more," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.
Macron says 30-day ceasefire to cover land, sea and air
Saturday 10 May 2025 13:42
,
Barney Davis
French president Emmanuel Macron has said that President Donald Trump has agreed to sanction Russia.
In a briefing, he said: “The camp of peace is here, the camp of war is in Moscow. The future of our principles about collective responsibility is at stake.”
He called it a major step after the US proposed a 30-day ceasefire.
“A ceasefire without precondition. It will last 30 days at sea and land and air. It will be monitored mainly by the US.”
He called it a road to lasting peace. He added any violations to the ceasefire would result in “massive sanctions” decided by EU states.
Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders had 'warm' 20 minute call with Trump
Saturday 10 May 2025 12:59
,
Holly Bancroft
Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders updated US President Donald Trump on the progress made on the so-called "coalition of the willing" plans for Ukraine when they spoke on Saturday, it is understood.
The call was unplanned and lasted around 20 minutes and was described as "warm" by a UK source.
European leaders hold call with Donald Trump
Saturday 10 May 2025 12:19
,
Holly Bancroft
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the visiting leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland held a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Saturday and discussed their peace efforts, the Ukrainian foreign minister said.
Andrii Sybiha added: “Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday.”
Following a virtual call with leaders in the ‘coalition of the willing’, Nato leader Rutte also said it was “clear from our meeting today that we are committed and continue to stand with Ukraine”.
Ukraine ready for 'full, unconditional ceasefire'
Saturday 10 May 2025 12:17
,
Holly Bancroft
Ukraine and its allies are ready for a "full, unconditional ceasefire" with Russia for at least 30 days starting on Monday, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said.
His remarks came as the leaders of four major European countries visited Kyiv, amid a push for Moscow to agree to a truce and launch peace talks on ending the nearly three-year war.
Macron: We will impose further sanctions if Russia don't agree to ceasefire
Saturday 10 May 2025 11:05
,
Holly Bancroft
French president Emmanuel Macron told French broadcaster TFI on Saturday morning that he stands ready to impose more sanctions on Russia if don’t agree to a ceasefire.
Speaking on the train that took him to Kyiv, Mr Macron explained that the first objective of European leaders’ meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was “to have this peace, even if precarious, even if temporary for 30 days, which will allow us to start discussions to build a lasting, robust peace, one which will provide security guarantees that prevent Russia from going any further”.
He added: “The decision we must make collectively is to say: If Russia does not commit to these 30 days of ceasefire and to these discussions, we must be able to impose additional sanctions that are much harsher on the Russian economy and in some way dissuasive”.
Macron: Russia and Ukraine should start direct talks
Saturday 10 May 2025 10:59
,
Holly Bancroft
French president Emmanuel Macron has said Ukraine and Russia need to start direct talks about a ceasefire and European leaders will facilitate that.
Speaking to French media on Saturday morning ahead of his visit to Kyiv, Mr Macron said: “I am convinced that we will succeed in starting discussions. Will we have a clear ceasefire? I’m afraid we will never have any great clarity”. But Mr Macron added that the objective of the meeting was to “demonstrate the unity of Ukraine, Europe and the United States”.
He proposed: “If we all commit to saying ‘this 30-day people is what you’ve been telling the world for months, we’ll do it, we’ll engage in direct Ukraine-Russia talks, we’re ready to help, and if you don’t respect the ceasefire, there will be additional sanctions’, I think we can achieve results”.