Articles in this Cluster
11-05-2025
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, visited Ukraine and threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not accept a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. The proposal, backed by US President Donald Trump, includes a halt to fighting on land, sea, and in the air, and is aimed at allowing for peace talks to end the three-year war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv is ready for a "full, unconditional ceasefire" with Russia, while retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, described the ceasefire as a step towards ending the war. The leaders also discussed building up Ukraine's military capabilities and potentially deploying a force of foreign troops as a deterrent against Russia.
11-05-2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Ukraine to "direct talks" on May 15, hours after European leaders urged Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Putin said Russia is seeking "serious negotiations" aimed at a "lasting, strong peace". The proposed talks would be held in Istanbul, and Putin said he would discuss details with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv and warned of "new and massive" sanctions if Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
11-05-2025
Ukraine and its allies are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia starting on Monday, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stating they are ready for a "full, unconditional ceasefire". However, Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing for direct talks next week instead. The call for a ceasefire comes after leaders from France, Germany, Poland, and the UK visited Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging Russia to agree to a truce and launch peace talks. Putin proposed resuming direct talks without preconditions in Istanbul, saying it would "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" and achieve a "long-term, lasting peace". The conflict has continued despite a recent three-day unilateral ceasefire declared by Russia, which Ukraine says was repeatedly violated.
11-05-2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed "direct talks" with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, saying they should be held "without any preconditions" to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and establish a long-term peace. The proposal comes as US and European leaders, including German, French, UK, and Polish leaders, have urged Putin to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, warning of "massive sanctions" if he doesn't comply. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also called for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, a position backed by US President Donald Trump. Russia has previously expressed support for a ceasefire in principle but has raised concerns about "nuances" that need to be addressed. Putin denied that Moscow has refused dialogue with Kyiv and said the decision now lies with the Ukrainian authorities.
11-05-2025
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that "you cannot spy against an ally" following reports that the US was gathering intelligence on Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. The reports emerged as US President Donald Trump continued to suggest purchasing Greenland, despite Denmark and Greenland pushing back, stressing that it is not for sale. Trump has not ruled out taking Greenland by military force, despite Denmark being a NATO ally. The Danish prime minister's statement came after Denmark summoned the top American diplomat in the country to explain the reported US espionage, which included collecting information on Greenland's independence movement and views on US resource extraction.
11-05-2025
European leaders have backed a US peace initiative for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but the plan is considered "hugely problematic" as it may force Ukraine to give away territory to Russia. For the plan to work, US President Donald Trump must pressure Vladimir Putin to comply, but he has shown no willingness to do so. Trump's sympathies may have shifted away from Moscow after signing a minerals deal with Ukraine, and he has criticized Russian attacks on civilians. The plan's success relies on Trump strong-arming Putin and agreeing on punishments for non-compliance.
11-05-2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, are demanding a 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday. Putin stated he is "committed to serious negotiations" and does not rule out a ceasefire, but has not directly responded to the 30-day truce proposal. The European leaders, who met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, have threatened fresh sanctions if Russia fails to comply with the ceasefire, and have secured the backing of US President Donald Trump. Putin's proposal for talks in Istanbul on May 15 has been met with skepticism by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said it is "a first step, but not sufficient."
11-05-2025
Vladimir Putin's proposal for direct talks with Ukraine is seen as an attempt to avoid committing to a 30-day ceasefire, with the talks scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul. The Kremlin's announcement was unexpected and felt hastily put together, with Turkey apparently unaware of the plans. Putin's comments reiterated Moscow's previous stance, and the proposal is viewed as a response to Europe's ultimatum of a ceasefire or sanctions, backed by the US. Ukraine and its allies have demanded a 30-day ceasefire, which Putin's proposal does not commit to.
11-05-2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 without preconditions, aiming to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and achieve a lasting peace. The talks, which Putin hopes will lead to a ceasefire, come after years of war between Russia and Ukraine that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and heightened tensions between Russia and the West.
