(France, 11th) Ukraine and four European countries, the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, on the 10th pressured Russia to accept an unconditional ceasefire for 30 days starting from the 12th and warned that if Moscow does not comply, massive sanctions will be imposed on Russia.
According to AFP, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, along with Ukrainian President Zelensky, issued the ultimatum to Russia after their meeting in Kyiv.
They stated that the United States and other countries also support this ceasefire proposal.
Germany's new Chancellor Merz, French President Macron, UK Prime Minister Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Tusk arrived at Kyiv train station in the morning and shortly after met with Zelensky.
According to Russian media reports, several Russian officials mentioned on the 10th that they have taken note of the UK's, Germany's, and other countries' threats of "sanctions if not ceasing fire" directed at Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov told the media, "We have become accustomed to (sanctions)" and that Russia will minimize the impact of the sanctions. Russia's Security Council Deputy Chairman Medvedev posted on social media that the leaders of the five countries were discussing peace while threatening Russia, either to cease fire to allow Ukraine to catch its breath or face new sanctions. "Does this make sense to you?"
Russian President Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city.
In a statement given at the Kremlin late at night, Putin told the media, "We are determined to conduct serious negotiations… to eliminate the roots of the conflict."
He added, "We do not rule out the possibility of reaching some new ceasefire agreements in these negotiations." However, he did not directly respond to the call from Ukrainian, UK, French, German, and Polish leaders for a ceasefire starting on the 12th.
According to AFP, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, along with Ukrainian President Zelensky, issued the ultimatum to Russia after their meeting in Kyiv.
They stated that the United States and other countries also support this ceasefire proposal.
Germany's new Chancellor Merz, French President Macron, UK Prime Minister Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Tusk arrived at Kyiv train station in the morning and shortly after met with Zelensky.
According to Russian media reports, several Russian officials mentioned on the 10th that they have taken note of the UK's, Germany's, and other countries' threats of "sanctions if not ceasing fire" directed at Russia.
Kremlin spokesperson Peskov told the media, "We have become accustomed to (sanctions)" and that Russia will minimize the impact of the sanctions. Russia's Security Council Deputy Chairman Medvedev posted on social media that the leaders of the five countries were discussing peace while threatening Russia, either to cease fire to allow Ukraine to catch its breath or face new sanctions. "Does this make sense to you?"
Russian President Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city.
In a statement given at the Kremlin late at night, Putin told the media, "We are determined to conduct serious negotiations… to eliminate the roots of the conflict."
He added, "We do not rule out the possibility of reaching some new ceasefire agreements in these negotiations." However, he did not directly respond to the call from Ukrainian, UK, French, German, and Polish leaders for a ceasefire starting on the 12th.