Russia’s war of attack: Ukraine and Europeans throb on fire break before negotiations

Ukraine, Germany and France are on a ceasefire in the Ukraine War as a condition for negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, however, regarded the offer of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin on direct negotiations between the two sides as a good sign. Putin had reacted to the ultimate demand of Kiev and important European ally after an unconditional, at least 30-day ceasefire from Monday, which they had launched at a much-noticed meeting in Kiev.

“We expect Moscow that it now agrees with an armistice that can make real conversations possible in the first place,” said Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “First the weapons have to be silent, then conversations can begin.” If the Russian side now signals willingness to talk, it is initially a good sign. “But it is far from sufficient.”

Macron: No dialogue if civilians are bombarded at the same time

France’s President Emmanuel Macron also wrote on X: “There can be no dialogue if civilians are bombarded at the same time.” Selenskyj emphasized: “We expect Russia to confirm the fire break”, which should begin on Monday – and made it clear that Ukraine would then be ready for a meeting. So far, Russia has not shown any willingness to leave the weapons silent from Monday.

The four most important European allies in Ukraine started a major diplomatic initiative on Saturday with their trip to Kiev to end the Russian attack war. Merz, Macron, the British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer and the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, together with Selenskyj, called up for an at least 30-day ceasefire, which is intended to have serious peace talks. Ukraine has been fighting against the Russian invasion for more than three years with the help of western arms deliveries.

If Moscow does not get involved, the Europeans want to occupy the country with further sanctions and expand arms deliveries to Ukraine. They also voted on their approach in a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

Trump promises a “big week”

Putin then offered Ukraine direct peace talks in a nightly appearance to journalists. According to his will, these should start in Istanbul on Thursday. “Those who really want to peace cannot be against it.” Turkey was ready to organize the talks proposed by Russia.

A few hours later, US President Trump confidently commented on the end of the fights. “A big day for Russia and Ukraine,” he wrote on his online language tube Truth Social. “Think of the hundreds of thousands of life that can be saved when this endless” bloodbath “will hopefully come to an end.” He will continue to work on both sides to ensure that this is done. “A big week is imminent!”

However, Trump did not make a direct reference to the two suggestions. He therefore did not comment on how the opposing positions could be brought together or how he rated that Putin did not go into the ceasefire claim.

In their diplomatic advance, the Europeans tried demonstratively to emphasize a common approach with US President Trump-after major differences had been given in Ukraine policy since his office. Selenskyjs Chancellor Andrij Jermak spread a photo of the group after the phone call with Trump and wrote of “historical moments”. Poland Prime Minister Tusk said: “For the first time in a long time, we have the feeling that the entire free world is really united”.

The demand for a 30-day ceasefire originally comes from Trump. After he made headlines, especially with pressure on the attacked Ukraine, in the first months of his term, he recently tightened the tone towards Moscow and threatened with new sanctions.

On the night of Sunday, a three-day ceasefire ended, which Putin had unilaterally proclaimed for the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War. According to Kyiv, Russia then resumed his drone attacks against Ukraine. In the night and in the morning, the capital Kiev and several areas, including Odessa, Kharkiw and Dnipropetrovsk, again reported an air alarm and increased drone attacks for the first time. Both sides had repeatedly accused of violations of the agreement since the beginning of the fire break on Thursday.