Ukrainian authorities say ceasefire proposals are being ‘ignored’ as new drone assaults harm civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine has mentioned 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 mentioned 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 best way with out hitting something. Drones had been shot down within the east, north, south and central components of Ukraine, the air drive mentioned.
One individual was wounded and residential buildings had been broken within the southern Odesa area, the navy administration mentioned. The assaults additionally broken railway infrastructure and wounded a practice driver within the jap Donetsk area.
Ukrainian nationwide railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia mentioned “ceasefire proposals are being ignored, and the enemy continues assaults on railway infrastructure”.
Ceasefire calls, direct talks proposal
On a visit to Kyiv on Saturday, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the UK referred to as on Russia to comply with an unconditional ceasefire from Monday to permit for peace talks – a proposal they mentioned 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 mentioned he could be prepared to meet 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 mentioned 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 just isn’t preceded by negotiations, by definition,” Macron advised 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 fulfill 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 at this time just isn’t solely about the way forward for Ukraine – it’s existential for Europe as an entire,” Lammy mentioned earlier than the talks.