In recent developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian authorities reported continued Russian aggression despite a proposed ceasefire by European leaders and Ukraine. On Monday, more than 100 drones attacked Ukraine overnight, reflecting a disregard for the ceasefire initiative that Russia did not agree to honor.
On Saturday, leaders from four major European nations traveled to Kyiv to advocate for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin implicitly rejected this proposal, suggesting instead that direct talks between Russia and Ukraine take place in Istanbul, which he indicated might lead to a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the situation late Sunday, stating that the ceasefire offer remained open, and he awaited a response from Moscow. He warned that if Russia disregarded the ceasefire, Ukrainian forces would retaliate accordingly.
The Ukrainian air force reported that the attacks began at 11 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET), just an hour before the ceasefire was supposed to commence. The assault involved 108 long-range combat drones, which typically unfold over several hours due to their slower speed compared to missiles. By 8:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. ET), Ukrainian forces confirmed they had shot down 55 Shahed drones across various regions, including the east, north, south, and center. Another 30 drones disappeared from radars, causing no reported damage.
In the Black Sea region's small port city of Bilhorod-Dnistrovsk, a woman was injured by a strike drone, as confirmed by the regional governor. Additionally, Russia launched guided bomb attacks targeting the northeastern Kharkiv region and the northern Sumy region.
The Ukrainian railway company reported that a Russian drone attacked a civilian freight train in the east, injuring the train's driver with shrapnel. While the driver is now out of danger, the company highlighted that the truce proposals were being ignored, as hostile attacks on railway infrastructure and rolling stock persisted.
The overall situation along the extensive front line remained unclear, with the military yet to provide a detailed report covering the period after midnight.
Both Russia and Ukraine are attempting to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump their commitment to achieving a rapid peace settlement in Ukraine, while simultaneously trying to portray the other side as obstructing these efforts. Ukraine is eager to unlock further U.S. military support that had been extended during the presidency of Joe Biden, while Russia seeks relief from severe economic sanctions and aims to engage with the world's largest economy.
European nations, on their part, are striving to maintain positive relations with President Trump, despite his imposition of tariffs. They hope to persuade him to more strongly support Ukraine's cause, which is seen as pivotal to the continent's security. A meeting involving European foreign ministers and the E.U. foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, was scheduled to take place in London on Monday.
In response to Russia's potential violation of the truce, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland threatened new sanctions. However, the immediate impact and effectiveness of these potential measures remain uncertain.
President Putin dismissed what he perceived as an attempt to impose "ultimatums," stating that discussions about the underlying causes of the conflict should precede any ceasefire talks. Despite Russia's ongoing military advances, the Kremlin has offered minimal concessions, claiming that a ceasefire would allow Ukraine to regroup and strengthen its military capabilities.
In a cautious response, President Zelenskyy initially reacted to Putin's proposal for direct talks in Istanbul this Thursday, which was announced in a televised statement timed for prime time in the U.S. After President Trump urged Zelenskyy to promptly accept Putin's offer, the Ukrainian leader challenged Putin to meet him in person in Istanbul on Thursday.
However, it remains uncertain whether President Putin intended to attend the talks in person. Since December 2019, Putin and Zelenskyy have not met face-to-face, and they have made no secret of their mutual disdain.
The situation remains tense and complex, with international diplomatic efforts and potential negotiations hanging in the balance as each side maneuvers for strategic advantage and support.