Zelenskyy wants face-to-face talks with Putin to end Ukraine war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Russia's latest ceasefire proposal on Wednesday, calling it "an ultimatum" and renewed his call for direct talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy said Monday's peace talks in Istanbul, led by Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, amounted to "a political performance" with no real progress towards a ceasefire made.
Both sides exchanged written ceasefire proposals for how they see a peace deal, but key differences remain.
Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using negotiations to play for time and said the Kremlin's proposal contained demands that Kyiv and its Western allies have already rejected.
"Honestly, this document looks like spam," said Zelenskyy.
He described the negotiations in Istanbul as "artificial diplomacy" designed to delay sanctions and convince the US that Russia is committed to dialogue.
The Ukrainian leader said the talks carry "the same content and spirit" as the fruitless negotiations held in the Turkish city during the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Zelenskyy said he sees little value in continuing the current format of talks and said he wants a ceasefire with Russia before a potential meeting with Putin, possibly also including US President Donald Trump.
Ukraine is ready to hold talks at any venue, including Istanbul, the Vatican or Switzerland starting as early as next Monday, according to Zelenskyy, who warned the continued deadlock risks prolonging Russia's war, which is now in its fourth year.
Putin was previously invited by Zelenskyy in May to meet for a face-to-face meeting in Istanbul but showed no willingness to attend, instead sending a lower-level delegation.
On Wednesday, Putin spoke via video call with top officials and expressed anger over what he described as Ukrainian "terrorist acts" against Russian infrastructure in the border regions of Kursk and Bryansk and on the annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Putin accused Ukraine of seeking a truce only to replenish weapons and troops.
The 2024/25 European football season will forever be remembered by fans as the year that long trophy droughts were finally broken all across the continent.
Paris Saint-Germain won their first ever UEFA Champions League title, dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.
Tottenham ended their 39 year wait for a European trophy, securing the Europa League.
In Germany, former Spurs player Harry Kane also lifted silverware, leading Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title.
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