On Monday, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia had fired more than 100 Shahid drones and decoy drones into Ukraine in overnight attacks after the Kremlin effectively rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year conflict but reiterated its willingness to engage in possible peace talks this week without preconditions.
At the same time, the Kremlin did not directly respond to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for Russian leader Vladimir Putin to meet for face-to-face peace talks in Turkey on Thursday.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov declined to specify who might travel to Istanbul from the Russian side.
“In general, we are seriously determined to find ways to achieve a long-term peaceful resolution. That's all,” Peskov noted.
The United States and European countries are coordinating efforts to end the fighting that has killed tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides and more than 10,000 civilians in Ukraine.
Russian troops have seized about a fifth of Ukraine's territory in the worst conflict in Europe since World War II.
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the talks in Istanbul.
Trump said in Washington that there was “potential for a productive meeting” between Putin and Zelensky, adding that he was “considering the possibility of attending” the talks after his visit to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates later in the day.
Zelensky supported the idea of Trump's participation in the negotiations.
“I supported President Trump in his intention to hold direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my willingness to meet,” he said. “And of course, all of us in Ukraine would be grateful if President Trump could attend this meeting in Turkey.”
In diplomatic developments over the weekend, Russia ignored cease-fire offers from U.S. and European leaders but offered direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
