The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Moscow had issued ultimatums for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its own territory in order to obtain a ceasefire “and other non-starters and non-constructive conditions”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Russian position was unacceptable and that European leaders, Ukraine and the US were “closely aligning” their responses.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was working on a new package of sanctions against Moscow.
Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, told reporters that his team had “taken note” of the Ukrainians’ request for direct talks between Zelenskiy and President Vladimir Putin. Putin, after proposing the direct talks, had spurned a challenge from the Ukrainian leader to meet him personally in Istanbul.
“We have agreed that each side will present its vision of a possible future ceasefire and spell it out in detail. After such a vision has been presented, we believe it would be appropriate, as also agreed, to continue our negotiations,” Medinsky said.
Crediting efforts by Trump and other U.S. officials, Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s investment envoy, said on X the talks produced “good results…1. Largest POW exchange, 2. Ceasefire options that may work 3. Understanding of positions and continued dialogue.”
RUSSIA WANTS MORE TALKS BEFORE CEASEFIRE
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X that he and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas agreed that “pressure on Moscow must be strengthened to achieve a full and durable ceasefire”.
Writing separately on Facebook, Sybiha said the talks were positive if only for the prospect of prisoners coming home.
