Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power.”
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 4, 2025. (Ihor Kuznietsov / Novyny LIVE / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Ukraine is waiting for a "clear answer" from Russia regarding its proposal for a 30-day ceasefire on attacks against civilian infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 21.
"Ukraine maintains its offer not to strike at least at civilian infrastructure," Zelensky said in his evening address April 21.
"And we expect a clear answer from Moscow. We are ready for any conversation on how to ensure this."
While Kyiv has repeatedly expressed its support for a full, unconditional ceasefire on all hostilities, Zelensky put forth the proposal for a ban on civilian infrastructure attacks after Easter Sunday passed without any air raid alarms going off in Ukraine.
Even though the Ukrainian military recorded over 3,000 Russian violations of the temporary Easter truce, the quiet alarms signaled Moscow's potential ability to abide by a partial ceasefire.
"There is an obvious, simplest, and most reliable way, namely: to stop the strikes of missiles and long-range drones, and this will automatically guarantee the preservation of all civilian infrastructure," Zelensky said.
"It is a ceasefire — a real, lasting one — that should be the first step towards a reliable and lasting peace."
The Kremlin has said it needs to "look into" the proposal and has not yet responded to Zelensky definitively.
The proposed ban comes as U.S. President Donald Trump voices increasing confidence about his ability to announce a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the coming days — provided Kyiv is willing to accept major concessions.
The Trump administration's controversial plan includes provisions for legally recognizing Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 20.
Kyiv has consistently said it would not recognize Russia's occupation of any Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.
The next round of major peace talks will take place in London on April 23. Officials from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the U.S. will discuss plans for a potential ceasefire.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
Asami Terajima
