Overview

• Ukrainian President Zelenskyj, with backing from European leaders and the U.S., has demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday to enable peace negotiations.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused the ceasefire demand, instead proposing direct, no-preconditions talks in Istanbul on May 15, a move criticized as insufficient by Ukraine and its allies.
• European leaders, including Merz, Macron, and Starmer, have warned of harsher sanctions and increased military aid to Ukraine if Russia declines the truce proposal.
• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskow stated Russia would consider the ceasefire proposal but dismissed Western pressure as ineffective, while reiterating concerns over continued arms supplies to Ukraine.
• The three-day ceasefire declared by Russia around May 9 has ended, with both sides accusing each other of violations, and new Russian drone attacks reported in Ukraine.