Germany told Russia to respond to the ceasefire proposal by midnight Monday or face new sanctions, government spokesman Stephen Cornelius explained earlier in the day.
Berlin warned Moscow that new, more severe sanctions would be prepared and introduced if the Kremlin disagrees with proposals from Ukraine and its European allies.
“The clock is ticking by the moment. We still have 12 hours until the end of today,” Cornelius reportedly said about noon, adding that Berlin is coordinating with European partners for additional sanctions.
Over the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not respond to the ceasefire plan and instead offered to meet Ukraine in person on Thursday in Istanbul.
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelenki replied that he was ready to travel to Türkiye himself to meet Putin. He repeated Ukraine’s proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire that begins on May 12th before negotiations.
The Kremlin has not responded to Zelensky’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.
There will be no ceasefire on the ground as Turkey prepares for Istanbul meetings
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andri Sibikh said on Monday that Russia did not respect the ceasefire on May 12.
Speaking to the Foreign Minister of the High Representative for Diplomacy of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and the EU, he mentioned the report of the Moscow army of Ukrainian Commander Oleksandr Silsky, which continued attacks on the frontal positions with the Ukrainian forces.
At least seven people were injured overnight in a Russian drone attack Monday. This is the deadline where Kyiv and its allies advocated a request for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on Russia and Ukraine to “declare a ceasefire” and “as soon as possible.”
“I hope this happens, and that’s what we’re working on,” he said, adding that he was “sure that we’d find a ‘compromise’ in the next few days.”
“I think the parties will reach a compromise in the next few days. You know, the Ukrainians want a ceasefire first, then a discussion, the Russians want a discussion first, then a ceasefire second.
