Kremlin rejects Europe’s ‘ultimatums’ for truce

AFP | Kyiv

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The Kremlin said yesterday it would not accept “ultimatums” set by European leaders to enter a ceasefire with Ukraine, without responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for a personal meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Kyiv and its allies urged Moscow to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday but Putin instead proposed direct Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul on Thursday.

European countries including France and Germany have warned a ceasefire needs to be in place for talks to happen but Moscow has effectively ignored this call, launching attacks across the front line, according to Kyiv.

“The language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia, it is not appropriate. You cannot talk to Russia in such a language,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists during a briefing call. “We are focused on a serious search for ways to achieve a longterm peaceful settlement,” Peskov said, while declining to comment on who Russia would send to Istanbul.

Russia fired more than 100 drones at eastern Ukraine overnight, killing one person and wounding six, as well as damaging railway infrastructure and residential buildings, local officials said.

“Russians are completely ignoring the offer of a full and durable ceasefire starting on May 12,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga wrote on X after meeting Kyiv’s Western allies online.

“They continue to attack Ukrainian positions all along the frontline.”