Ukrainian officials report that ceasefire initiatives are being ‘sidestepped’ as fresh drone strikes cause civilian infrastructure to suffer. Ukraine reported that Russia launched over 100 drones over the night despite efforts from the allies of Kyiv to urge Moscow to initiate a 30-day ceasefire and the potential direct talks that have been proposed by Russia for this week in Turkiye’s city of Istanbul.
Ukrainian air defences downed 55 of the 108 drones Russia fired since 11 pm (20:00 GMT) on Sunday, its air force stated in a Monday statement, the day to initiate the ceasefire that Kyiv and its European allies offered to Russia.
The attacks also comprised 30 simulator drones that went astray on their way without colliding with anything. Drones were destroyed in the east, north, south and central regions of Ukraine, the air force added.
One was injured and residential homes were damaged in the southern Odesa region, the military administration added. The attacks also caused damage to railway infrastructure and injured a train driver in the eastern Donetsk region.
Ukrainian national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said, “Ceasefire proposals are being ignored, and the enemy continues attacks on railway infrastructure”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin was serious about attempting to make peace through direct negotiations with Ukraine that he has invited to Turkiye. However, he could say no more about negotiations after Kyiv insisted that Putin himself come.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, while addressing in London at a gathering of some of his European counterparts, mentioned that Russia is still refusing to accept a complete and permanent ceasefire offer to start on Monday. He insisted that Moscow was determined to continue the war rather than peace.
During a visit to Kyiv on Saturday, France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom leaders appealed to Russia to accept an unconditional ceasefire from Monday to facilitate peace talks – an idea they claimed to have had the support of the United States.
On Sunday, Putin suggested direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, without directly responding to the European appeal but condemning “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric.”. We do not rule out that during these negotiations we will manage to agree on some new ceasefire,” Putin further said.
