Zelenskyy agrees to talks in Türkiye amid Putin's ceasefire rejection – Weekend brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
Russia did not support the idea of a ceasefire today, May 12, but Russian dictator Vladimir Putin proposed negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Peace talks in Ukraine
On Saturday, May 10, a number of European leaders arrived in Kyiv. First, they met with Zelenskyy, and after the conversation began, they called American leader Donald Trump.
During the talks, it became clear that Ukraine, like all its allies, was ready for a full unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days.
In this regard, Zelenskyy said the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia should begin on Monday, May 12. All allies, along with Trump, supported this initiative and were waiting for a response from Moscow.
However, on the night of May 11, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin rejected the proposal for a ceasefire starting on May 12. Instead, the dictator proposed to continue the negotiations that began in 2022 in Istanbul after May 15.
After this statement, Trump's special representative, Keith Kellogg, emphasized that there should first be an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and only then could peace talks be held.
A few hours later, Trump called on Ukraine to immediately agree to negotiations with Russia in Türkiye, saying that it was a chance to see if an agreement could be reached at all.
Following Trump's statement, the Ukrainian president issued his own statement.
Zelenskyy emphasized that he would wait for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Türkiye on Thursday, May 15.
Pope Leo XIV's first message: What he said about Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Sunday message at the Vatican. In his speech, he mentioned Ukraine.
The new Pope stated that he carries in his heart "suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine" and called for negotiations to achieve an "authentic, just and lasting peace." He continued the tradition of the late Pope Francis, who called for talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the war and repeatedly condemned the deaths of civilians.
Russia launches 100-drone attack on Ukraine after three-day pause: Most shot down
On Sunday, May 11, Ukraine went on air alert three times. It was the first day after the end of the so-called ceasefire declared by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Immediately after the ceasefire ended, the Russians launched drones into Ukraine. Thus, only on the night of May 11, the Russian army fired 108 drones into Ukraine.
Ukrainian air defense destroyed 60 enemy drones that night. Another 41 enemy imitator drones were lost in the area.
Ukraine's military destroys Russian Tor-M2 anti-aircraft system worth $25 million (video)
The National Guard of Ukraine has struck a Russian Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile system using drones, setting the expensive military equipment on fire.
In the southern direction, National Guardsmen successfully targeted another air defense system belonging to the Russian army. According to military officials, the strike was made possible by coordinated efforts between reconnaissance units and drone operators.
US approves transfer of over 200 missiles from Germany to Ukraine - NYT
The United States has approved the transfer of missiles from Germany to Ukraine. Over 200 units are involved, informs The New York Times.
On Friday, a US congressional official announced that the country had approved Germany's transfer of 125 long-range artillery rockets and 100 Patriot air-defense missiles to Ukraine.
"The critically needed weapons are made in the United States and cannot be exported — even if another country owns them — without American government approval," the NYT added.
