Ukraine Invasion: Part 56

[MagicFox]

The (free) world has gone mad. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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But no cease fire, which means more endless prevaricating and wild demands from Russia.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-10-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected another US-Ukrainian general ceasefire proposal on May 10 amid continued Russian demands that any future ceasefire include conditions that support Russia's long-term goal of gaining control of all of Ukraine and would allow Russia to resume offensive operations from a more advantageous position at a time of its choosing.
• The UK and French-led Coalition of the Willing expressed support for the US-Ukrainian proposal of a general ceasefire of 30 days or more on May 10.
• Iran will reportedly deliver short-range ballistic missile launchers to Russia for use in Ukraine.
• The United States Embassy in Kyiv issued a statement on May 9 warning of a significant Russian air strike against Ukraine over the next several days -- potentially involving Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles.
• US and Western military support remains vital to Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast, and Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove.

In the press conference Putin called it a war, not a special military op.

He’s pissed all over the ceasefire insisted on by US and European leaders and has got round that threat and cut them out by proposing ceasefire talks in Istanbul mediated by Turkey. Will be interesting to see what the European/us response will or won’t be regarding the threat of more sanctions given putin is weaponising the idea of the ceasefire

“We have repeatedly suggested steps towards a ceasefire and have never refused to engage in dialogue with the Ukrainian side. It was not us who interrupted the negotiations in 2022; it was the Ukrainian side that did so. In this context, despite everything, we propose to the authorities in Kiev to resume the negotiations they halted at the end of 2022. We suggest restarting direct talks without any preconditions. And to begin without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, at the same location where they were previously held and interrupted.

We are oriented towards serious negotiations with Ukraine. The goal is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and to establish a lasting and stable peace over a historical horizon. We do not rule out that during these negotiations a new ceasefire, a new truce, could also be agreed upon—this time a real one, representing the first step towards a durable and sustainable peace. And not a prologue to the continuation of the conflict after rearmament, the strengthening of the Ukrainian armed forces, and the frantic construction of trenches and fortified positions. Who benefits from such a peace?

Our proposal, as the saying goes, is on the table. The decision now rests with the Ukrainian authorities and their sponsors, who seem driven by their own personal political ambitions rather than the interests of their people, and who wish to continue the war against Russia through the hands of Ukrainian nationalists. Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions. Military operations are currently underway; it is war, and we propose to resume the negotiations that we did not interrupt.

What is wrong with this? Those who truly seek peace can only support this proposal."

So….basically a repackaging of not very much.

It seemed to have been some kind of pr stunt aired at USA prime time

Both Macron and Zelenskyy have responded to Putin’s statement that Russia is ready for talks: he must first begin the unconditional 30-day ceasefire from tomorrow that the Coalition of the Willing demands.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine 'ready to meet' Russia for talks after full, lasting ceasefire (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-ukraine-awaits-russian-confirmation-of-full-lasting-ceasefire-starting-may-12-and-is-ready-to-meet/) starting May 12, Zelensky says.

⚡️Russia pushes for resuming (kyivindependent.com/russia-pushes-for-resuming-peace-talks-in-istanbul-based-on-2022-terms-situation-on-the-ground-ushakov/) peace talks in Istanbul based on 2022 terms, situation on the ground, Ushakov says.

⚡️Ukraine, European allies demand Russia agree to 30-day ceasefire (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-european-allies-demand-russia-agree-to-30-day-ceasefire-starting-may-12/)starting May 12.

⚡️Kyiv, European allies pledge harsher sanctions (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-european-allies-pledge-harsher-sanctions-on-russias-banking-energy-sectors-if-moscow-refuses-ceasefire/) on Russia's banking, energy sectors if Moscow refuses ceasefire.

⚡️Zelensky says demilitarized zone (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-demilitarized-zone-idea-dead-european-pravda-reports/) idea 'dead,' European Pravda reports.

⚡️Zelensky, European leaders hold 'productive' call with Trump (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-european-leaders-hold-productive-call-with-trump/) about peace talks.

⚡️US approves transfer of 125 long-range missiles, 100 Patriot missiles (kyivindependent.com/us-approves-transfer-of-125-long-range-missiles-100-patriots-from-germany-to-ukraine-nyt-reports/) from Germany to Ukraine, NYT reports.
The American-made weapons cannot be exported, even by a country that owns them, without approval from the U.S. government.

⚡️Iran to send Russia short-range ballistic missile launchers (kyivindependent.com/iran-to-send-russia-short-range-ballistic-missile-launchers-reuters-reports/), Reuters reports.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.

⚡️US to continue working 'with both sides' (kyivindependent.com/us-to-continue-working-with-both-sides-to-end-war-in-ukraine-trump-says/) to end war in Ukraine, Trump says.

⚡️Witkoff uses Kremlin translators (kyivindependent.com/witkoff-uses-kremlin-translators-in-meetings-with-putin-nbc-reports/) in meetings with Putin, NBC reports.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."

⚡️Trump 'frustrated' by inability to broker end to Russia's war (kyivindependent.com/wsj-trump-frustrated-by-inability-to-broker-end-to-russias-war-against-ukraine/) against Ukraine, WSJ reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.

‘Almost all Russians poisoned by imperial propaganda,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia
In an exclusive interview with the Kyiv Independent, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash reflects on the moment she decided to risk her life to flee Russia and why even “good Russians” who oppose the war don’t understand Ukraine.

⚡️6 senior National Guard officials suspended from posts (kyivindependent.com/6-senior-national-guard-officials-suspended-from-posts-amid-corruption-probe/) amid corruption probe.

⚡️Ukraine downs 60 drones (kyivindependent.com/russia-launched-overnight-drone-attack-across-ukraine/) in Russian overnight attack.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬
· 9m
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE & RUSSIA – MAY 11, 2025
■ 160+ engagements & casualties slightly above average
■ Vehicle losses slightly above average, limited drone activity
■ Visually confirmed: 1.3x 🇷🇺/🇺🇦 ■ Shelling below average; increased strikes but still below average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

“In Kyiv, together with President Trump, we made a clear proposal: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, starting Monday. President Zelenskyy has committed to it without any conditions. Now we expect an equally clear response from Russia,” said French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron: Foreign Troop Presence Possible as Part of Post-Ceasefire Security Guarantees
French President Emmanuel Macron outlined two key components of containing Russia in the event of a ceasefire: strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces and establishing a robust system of security guarantees — which could include the deployment of foreign troops.
He noted that military-level discussions are currently underway regarding the structure of such a deployment, the contributions of individual countries, and the development of a long-term security architecture for Ukraine.

Denmark will allocate €830 million in 2025 to finance the Ukrainian defense industry using frozen Russian assets, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.

Britain will transfer five more Raven anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. These systems are designed to counter Shahed-type drones.
Raven is based on the ASRAAM air-to-air missile. It weighs 88 kg, has a range of up to 15 km when launched from the ground, and can reach speeds of up to Mach 3. The 10 kg warhead allows it to engage a wide range of targets, including drones and fighter jets.
The UK has previously delivered eight such systems to Ukraine.

Soldiers of the 34th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion of the Vovkodavy 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade shared a photo from Vovchansk, Kharkiv region, where the Russian offensive began exactly one year ago.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Nothing extra.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Emmanuel Macron: A ceasefire must come first before Ukraine–Russia negotiations can begin
The French President emphasized that the 30-day ceasefire proposal, formulated in Kyiv to begin on May 12, is clear and firm.

U.S., Europe, and Ukraine draft 22-point list of conditions to end the war — NBC News
According to sources cited by NBC News, the document will be presented to Putin by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The plan includes, among other elements, a 30-day ceasefire. At the same time, a Western official noted that it also takes into account one of Putin’s key demands — that the United States not support Ukraine’s accession to NATO.

🇮🇷 Iran to supply Russia with launchers for Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles — Reuters
According to sources cited by Reuters, the launchers could be delivered soon.
The Fath-360 missiles, with a range of up to 120 km, would allow Russian forces to carry out tactical strikes on Ukrainian targets near the frontline.
Western media reported back in fall 2024 that Iran had supplied Russia with these missiles, but at the time, no launchers were included. The decision to now provide launch systems suggests deepening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

🇩🇪 German government to once again withhold details of military aid packages for Ukraine — Der Spiegel
At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government shared minimal information about German military support. But in June 2022, under public pressure, Berlin began publishing detailed lists of weapons supplied.
Now, the government will return to a policy of secrecy regarding the contents of aid packages.
The main goal, according to officials, is to deny Russia a military advantage and reduce public debate around arms deliveries.

🇭🇺Hungarian special forces detain Ukrainian man accused of espionage and threatening Hungary’s sovereignty
The man, previously employed as a diplomat but no longer holding diplomatic status, was arrested yesterday and deported the same night.
Hungary’s National Directorate-General for Immigration has banned him from entering or residing in the country.
▪️Earlier on May 9, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced it had uncovered, for the first time, a Hungarian military intelligence spy network operating against Ukraine. Two individuals were detained and charged with treason.
▪️Following this revelation, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats — and Ukraine responded in kind with reciprocal expulsions.

🇺🇦🇭🇺 Hungary postpones talks with Ukraine on national minorities — Ukrainian Justice Ministry

🇺🇸 Trump frustrated over slow progress in resolving global crises — The Wall Street Journal
According to WSJ, during a speech to donors last week, the U.S. President admitted that efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have become “an increasing frustration that keeps him up at night.”
Trump described negotiations with Putin as difficult, saying the Russian leader “wants everything.”
He also acknowledged the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying, “they’ve been fighting for a thousand years.” On top of that, a trade war with allies and stalled nuclear talks with Iran are adding pressure. [dear me, if only there wasn't a trade war eh?]
Sources say Trump may consider his job in Ukraine done if he succeeds in forcing Moscow and Kyiv to begin direct negotiations. After that, further developments would be up to Ukraine and Russia — while the U.S. would shift focus to other priorities.

Putin once again showing he's a weak minded poor excuse of a human being.

US approves transfer of 125 long-range missiles, 100 Patriot missiles (kyivindependent.com/us-approves-transfer-of-125-long-range-missiles-100-patriots-from-germany-to-ukraine-nyt-reports/) from Germany to Ukraine, NYT reports.
The American-made weapons cannot be exported, even by a country that owns them, without approval from the U.S. government.

This is good, but can someone not shove a executive order and sharpie in Trumps stumpy fingers saying all American made weapons can be transferred to Ukraine. Stop this hold up.

Zelenskyy to meet Putin on Thursday in Turkey!

I hope he takes his own water bottle!

And stays away from high windows!

Who wants to bet that Putin pulls out over some "provocation"

I don’t know…this feels big to me. God alone knows how Zelenskyy will stop himself dragging the old bastard over the table and beating him to death.

Doesnt look as though Putin has said he’s going, just that Zelenskyy has said he’s offering to meet Putin in Turkey on Thursday.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-11-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Russia and Ukraine to resume bilateral negotiations based on the early 2022 Istanbul protocols that include Russian demands amounting to full Ukrainian surrender. Any agreement based on those protocols would be a capitulation document.
• Putin also continues to demand that any negotiations address Russia's perceived "root causes" of the war in Ukraine.
• Putin is attempting to manipulate ongoing discussions about a ceasefire and future peace in Ukraine, likely in an effort to undermine Ukrainian-US-European unity around a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold bilateral negotiations in Turkey on May 15.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Toretsk. Russian forces recently advanced in the northern Kharkiv and Novopavlivka directions.

United 24:

🔹 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron, held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the Turkish presidential administration.

“Bilateral relations between Türkiye and Russia, as well as regional and global issues, were discussed during the conversation.

President Erdoğan welcomed Putin’s statement on resuming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul and confirmed that Türkiye is ready to host negotiations aimed at achieving a long-term solution.

The president emphasized that a window of opportunity has opened for peace, and a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary conditions for meaningful talks,” the statement said.

🔸 U.S. President’s Special Representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, emphasized that negotiations with Russia on ending the war must be preceded by a 30-day ceasefire.

“First, an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, and during that, the start of comprehensive peace talks. There is no other way,” he said.

🔹 Pope Leo XIV called for a “sincere and lasting peace” in Ukraine and an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip, along with the release of hostages.

He emphasized that the world is currently experiencing “a third world war in parts.”

🔸 European countries want to join the talks between Ukraine and Russia, but a ceasefire must come first, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told Radio France.

Barrot said a “historic event” took place on May 10 and expressed confidence that the meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” was a major step toward peace in Ukraine.

“We are ready, starting next Thursday, to begin negotiations that will lead to a lasting peace in Ukraine. But negotiations require a ceasefire, because dialogue under shelling is impossible, as it was in 2022,” Barrot said.

❗️We are waiting for a ceasefire starting tomorrow — complete and lasting — to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will wait for Putin on Thursday in Türkiye. Personally. I hope this time the Russians won’t look for excuses, — President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

🔹 A ship carrying 20,000 tons of Ukrainian grain has arrived in Türkiye as part of the UN World Food Program’s initiative to support crisis-affected regions. The cargo is headed to Syria, Hürriyet Daily News reports.

“We welcome the Brave Commander, a symbol of international solidarity and rapid humanitarian action in our quest to end world hunger,” said Stephen Cahill, head of the WFP’s office in Türkiye.

🔸 The Russian “truce” looks like this: in one of the areas of the brigade’s responsibility in the Pokrovsk direction, enemy armored vehicles advanced.

The Spartan soldiers and supporting units were prepared for such actions. They engaged the target jointly, using various types of weapons.

🔹 “The issue of air defense systems is relevant for us. Germany helped us a lot with the Patriot systems and is helping a lot with the IRIS-T systems. It is important for us,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy when asked about possible Taurus supplies from the new German government.

At a press conference following the Coalition of the Determined meeting in Kyiv, a journalist from the German news agency DPA asked whether Ukraine expects the new German leadership to provide Taurus missiles, which Kyiv had repeatedly requested from the previous government.

Zelenskyy avoided a direct answer, instead emphasizing the importance of air defense for Ukraine.

He also expressed confidence in Germany’s comprehensive support—both during the war and after its end.

🔸 A meeting of EU foreign ministers on Ukraine will take place in Britain today, May 12, according to Reuters.

Citing the British Foreign Office, the agency reports that representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland, and the EU will attend.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to announce further sanctions against individuals and entities supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent:

⚡️Putin, Erdogan discuss proposed Russia-Ukraine peace talks in phone call.

The call followed Putin’s invitation earlier in the day for Ukraine to restart talks, which, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, Russia wishes to be based on the terms of the 2022 Istanbul discussions and the "current situation on the battlefield."

⚡️Rubio to visit Turkey amid renewed push for Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Turkey next week amid a suggestion to renew Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the White House said in a statement published May 11.

US, European leaders resoundingly reject Russia's proposal for talks without ceasefire first

Russian president Vladimir Putin's proposal to resume peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul starting May 15 has been met with rejection by the United States and key European leaders, who insist that no negotiations can begin without a full and unconditional ceasefire, according to their statements from May 11.

⚡️Russia rejects European peacekeepers, NATO infrastructure in Ukraine amid potential peace talks, Peskov says.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine in an interview with ABC News released on May 11.

⚡️Ukraine allegedly targets Russia's Kursk Oblast in missile attack, Russian official claims.

Three were injured in Russia's Kursk Oblast when the town of Rylsk was allegedly struck by a missile attack on May 11, local governor Alexander Khinshtein said.

⚡️Hungary cancels meeting on national minorities with Ukraine over spying scandal.

Hungary cancelled a meeting planned for May 12 with a Ukrainian delegation on the rights of national minorities, Hungary's Deputy Foreign Minister said on May 11, amid a deepening spying scandal between the two countries.

On May 9, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents accused of espionage against the Ukrainian state.

Soon after on May 9, Hungary allegedly expelled two "spies" working under diplomatic cover at Ukraine's embassy in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

⚡️Over 107,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation.

Russian independent media outlet, Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 107,620 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.

The publications' latest report covers the period of February 24, 2022 to May 8, 2025. Since it was last updated at the end of April, 2,857 additional Russian military personnel have been confirmed killed.

⚡️Tusk says Russia ordered 2024 arson attack on Warsaw shopping centre.

"We now know for sure that the great fire of the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw was caused by arson ordered by the Russian special services," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X on May 11. "Some of the perpetrators have already been detained, all the others are identified and searched for."

⚡️UK to unveil additional sanctions on Russia on May 12 amid EU Foreign Ministers meeting.

The United Kingdom will unveil a new sanctions package against Russia on May 12, the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The sanctions appear to be in response to Russia's rejection of a 30-day ceasefire that the U.K., alongside, France, Germany, and Poland, demanded during a visit to Kyiv on May 10.

⚡️Moscow, Hanoi agree to negotiate agreement to build nuclear power plants in Vietnam.

Moscow and Hanoi have agreed to negotiate and sign agreements to construct nuclear power plants in Vietnam, the two countries said in a joint statement on May 11.

⚡️ 'Truce proposals are being ignored' — Russian drone hits freight train in Donetsk Oblast.

A Russian drone hit a civilian freight train in Donetsk Oblast on May 12 and injured its driver, Ukrainian Railways said amid Kyiv's calls for a ceasefire.

"Truce proposals are being ignored, attacks on railway infrastructure continue," Ukrainian Railways said on Telegram.

⚡️ Update: Zelensky to visit Turkey even if Russia doesn’t agree to ceasefire, Axios reports.

President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to travel to Turkey on May 15 even if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire starting on May 12, Axios reported, citing an undisclosed Ukrainian official.

Zelensky previously announced he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey in what would be their first meeting during the full-scale war.

⚡️ Ceasefire remains a 'priority,' Rubio says amid Trump's call for immediate Ukraine-Russia talks.

"Our top priority remains bringing an end to the fighting and an immediate ceasefire," the State Department readout said, citing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The comments came after Trump urged Ukraine to agree to direct negotiations with Russia, which has invited Kyiv to peace talks in Istanbul on May 15, without first agreeing to halt military operations.

⚡️ Macron's office mocks Russian fake story about drugs during Kyiv visit.

"When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace reacted to a fake story pushed by Russia.

⚡️ Russian attacks injure 22 in Ukraine over past 24 hours despite ceasefire calls.

This includes at least seven people injured in drone attacks overnight on May 12, a date from which Kyiv and its allies put forward a demand for a 30-day unconditional truce, a step that Moscow continues to reject.

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of May 12, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Live:Ukraine:

🇺🇸 “A potentially big day for Russia and Ukraine” — Trump reacts to new peace talk proposals

The U.S. President said he will continue working with both sides to ensure the war comes to an end.

“Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved if this endless bloodbath finally ends, as we hope. It will be a completely new and much better world. The U.S., instead, wants to focus on rebuilding and trade. Big week ahead!” Trump stated.

🔹 Putin proposes resuming direct talks with Ukraine — here’s how European leaders responded

🇩🇪 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Moscow must first agree to a ceasefire before real negotiations can begin.

🇫🇷 French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this, saying: “As long as weapons are speaking, there can be no negotiations.”

🇵🇱 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote that the world is waiting for a unanimous decision on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

🔸 Pope calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine

“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people. May everything possible be done to achieve true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible,” said Pope Leo XIV.

He also called for children to be reunited with their families and for prisoners to be released.

🔹 Keith Kellogg comments on Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks:

“As President Trump has said many times — stop the killing! First, an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, and during that, move into comprehensive peace negotiations. Not the other way around,” Kellogg stated.

⚡️Trump urges Ukraine to “immediately” agree to Putin’s proposal for talks in Turkey

“That way, at least they can find out if a deal is possible — and if not, European leaders and the U.S. will know the situation and can act accordingly!

I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine is even willing to make a deal with Putin, who’s currently too busy celebrating Victory in World War II — which would’ve been impossible (not even close!) without the United States.

MEET NOW!!!” Trump wrote.

⚡️⚡️⚡️ Zelensky: I will personally wait for Putin in Turkey

“We expect a full and lasting ceasefire to begin tomorrow — to give diplomacy the ground it needs. There is no point in prolonging the killing.

And I will wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday. Personally. I hope this time the Russians don’t look for excuses not to come,” President Zelensky wrote.

🇵🇱 Polish PM Tusk: The world expects Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire before any further steps

“In response to our call, the Russians proposed starting peace talks on May 15. But the world expects a clear decision on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

Ukraine is ready. There must be no more victims,” Tusk emphasized.

🔹 Zelensky confirms he will be in Turkey on May 15 to meet Putin, says Ukraine will mirror Russia’s actions starting May 12

The President stressed that Ukrainian forces will respond accordingly — either by holding fire or continuing combat — based on whether Russia honors the ceasefire.

Zelensky also noted that Ukraine has repeatedly heard from its partners that they are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin refuses the truce.

“We’ll see,” he commented on those promises.

🇫🇷 France mocks Russian fake about “drug napkin”

“When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to turn an ordinary napkin into a narcotic,” the French President’s Office wrote.

The response came after Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova falsely claimed that a “packet and spoon” seen on the table during a meeting between Macron, Starmer, and Merz were drug paraphernalia — a narrative quickly amplified by Russian propagandists.

It is being reporting that Putin will not attend any meeting regarding peace talks in Europe. If Zelensky shows up and Putin doesn't, that will look bad for Putin.

https://www.nrk.no/nyheter/russiske-politikere-avviser-mote-mellom-putin-og-zelenskyj-torsdag-1.17414036

Translation:

Russian politicians reject meeting between Putin and Zelensky on Thursday
Two key politicians in the Russian parliament say there will be no meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Thursday.

Deputy Chairman of the upper house, the Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, tells the Rossiya TV channel that such a meeting must be planned for a long time, and that conditions are not right now.

Another politician believes it is possible for expert groups from the two countries to meet.

Putin said on Sunday that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine should be held in Turkey. Zelensky responded that he is ready to meet with Putin in Istanbul to talk about the war in Ukraine.

Russian politicians reject meeting between Putin and Zelensky on Thursday
Two key politicians in the Russian parliament say there will be no meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Thursday.

Why am I not surprised.

So now, what will Trump say about Putin's unwillingness to meet Zelenskyy?
How are they gonna wriggle round this one?
Or is it crunch time?