Ukrainian authorities say ceasefire proposals are being ‘ignored’ as new drone assaults harm civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine has stated Russia fired greater than 100 drones in a single day, regardless of makes an attempt from Kyiv’s allies to get Moscow to start a 30-day ceasefire.
Ukrainian air defences destroyed 55 of the 108 drones that Russia launched since 11pm (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, Ukraine’s air drive stated in an announcement on Monday, the day to start the ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and its European allies to Russia.
The assaults additionally included 30 simulator drones that had been misplaced alongside the way in which with out hitting something. Drones had been shot down within the east, north, south and central components of Ukraine, the air drive stated.
One particular person was wounded and residential buildings had been broken within the southern Odesa area, the army administration stated. The assaults additionally broken railway infrastructure and wounded a practice driver within the japanese Donetsk area.
Ukrainian nationwide railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia stated “ceasefire proposals are being ignored, and the enemy continues assaults on railway infrastructure”.
Ceasefire calls, direct talks proposal
On a go to to Kyiv on Saturday, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the UK known as on Russia to comply with an unconditional ceasefire from Monday to permit for peace talks – a proposal they stated was backed by the US.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on Might 15, with out particularly addressing the European name however criticising “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric”.
“We don’t exclude that in these talks we will agree on some new ceasefire,” Putin added.
Insisting {that a} ceasefire ought to take impact first, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later stated he could be ready to satisfy Putin in Turkiye – however didn’t say whether or not he would nonetheless attend if Russia refused the truce proposal.
It got here after US President Donald Trump stated in a social media submit Ukraine ought to comply with Putin’s proposal for direct talks “instantly”.
European leaders, nonetheless, reacted with scepticism to Putin’s proposal, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning that he was merely attempting “to purchase time”.
“An unconditional ceasefire will not be preceded by negotiations, by definition,” Macron informed reporters as he stepped off a practice within the Polish metropolis of Przemysl on his return from Ukraine.
In the meantime, European ministers had been set to satisfy in the UK on Monday for “essential” talks on “repelling Russian aggression”, in what would be the sixth gathering of the Weimar+ group.
British Overseas Secretary David Lammy was anticipated to announce additional sanctions concentrating on these backing Russia’s invasion. “The problem we face immediately will not be solely about the way forward for Ukraine – it’s existential for Europe as an entire,” Lammy stated earlier than the talks.
