Ukraine proposed new ceasefire talks to Russia over the weekend as a new 50-day deadline from President Donald Trump for the two warring nations to end the conflict looms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the offer, which includes setting the peace talks for as early as next week, in his nightly address on Saturday.
“Secretary of the NSDC proposed a new meeting with Russia next week. They must stop hiding from decisions. Ceasefire. Prisoner exchanges. Return of children. End to the killings. And a meeting at the level of leaders is needed to truly ensure a lasting peace. Ukraine is ready,” Zelensky posted on X alongside video of the address.
Zelensky also underscored the need for peace talks to move quicker, a statement that comes after previous ceasefire negotiations in Turkey were largely unsuccessful and only resulted in a prisoner exchange agreement.
“The pace of negotiations must be increased. Everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire,” Zelensky added.
Zelensky’s urgency comes not only as fighting in the over three-year war has continued, but also as Trump recently increased the pressure for the two countries to reach a deal.
Early this week, the U.S. president announced that Russia has 50 days to resume peace talks or face more sanctions. Russia’s trade partners would also be affected if the talks don’t resume, to the tune of massive 100% tariffs.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there. So, based on that, we’re going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple, and they’ll be at 100%,” Trump explained.
Russia, however, is appearing defiant in the face of the threat, with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov saying such “ultimatums” are “unacceptable.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also downplayed the effects of the potential tariffs, saying that the country “will cope” regardless.
RUSSIA UNDETERRED BY TRUMP’S 50-DAY THREAT TO END UKRAINE WAR
“The number of sanctions announced against us is already unprecedented. We are coping. I have no doubt that we will cope,” Lavrov said.
Russia has also continued its attacks on Ukrainian cities, including as recently as early Saturday. That attack saw Russia launch over 300 drones and 30 cruise missiles, some of which targeted Odesa, a port city on the Black Sea. The barrage killed 1 person and injured six others.