Amid negotiations for a meeting between Russia and Ukraine this Thursday in Turkey, the Ukrainian Air Force has reported that Russia has launched 108 drones against its territory despite the 30-day ceasefire that Kiev, Paris, London, Berlin, and Warsaw wanted the Kremlin to declare starting this Monday.
The unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down in different areas of the country. Local authorities reported at least one dead and six injured in the east of the country, as well as damage to railway infrastructure, with a freight train conductor injured, and residential buildings.
Volodymyr Zelensky accepted on Sunday night Vladimir Putin's proposal to start direct negotiations starting this Thursday, but he asked the Russian president for an immediate ceasefire and challenged him to a face-to-face meeting.
On Monday, the Ukrainian president had a phone conversation with Pope Leon XIV, whom he thanked for his support for a fair peace in Ukraine and informed him of the joint proposal from Kiev and its main European partners to Russia. He also invited the Pontiff to visit the country.
Meanwhile, the High Representative of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, stated upon arriving at the Weimar+ group meeting that, to start any peace talks on Ukraine, there must be a ceasefire.
Iran Prepares for a Visit from Putin, One of Its Main Allies
Iran is preparing for a visit from the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, one of the country's main allies, following the signing of a strategic agreement between the two countries in January.
"We are making preparations for Putin's visit to Tehran," said Government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, as reported by IRNA. Mohajerani did not provide a specific date for the visit, which is currently being finalized.
Relations between Russia and Iran have strengthened in recent years, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, where Moscow has the support of Tehran, which has supplied drones and even missiles to the Russian side, according to the West.
Kremlin Rejects 30-Day Ceasefire, Deeming Threats of Sanctions "Unacceptable"
The Kremlin rejected today the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and several European leaders, deeming the threats of sanctions in case a ceasefire was not declared on Monday as "unacceptable."
"The language of ultimatum is unacceptable. One cannot speak to Russia in that language," said Dmitry Peskov, presidential spokesperson, in his daily phone press conference.
Albares: "There Will Be Sanctions on Russia if They Do Not Progress Towards Genuine and Real Peace Negotiations"
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, warned on Monday that European countries will impose new sanctions on Russia if the president of that country, Vladimir Putin, does not accept an unconditional ceasefire or move towards "genuine" peace negotiations.
"We have talked about sanctions and have made it very clear that if Russia does not accept this unconditional ceasefire, if we do not move towards genuine and real peace negotiations, with a real willingness to achieve peace without conditions, sanctions are one of the instruments that we Europeans have to continue working for peace," he said.
Ukraine Says Allies Are Considering New Sanctions Against Russia Because It "Ignores" Ceasefire Proposal
Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, stated that Russia is "completely ignoring" the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European powers that was supposed to start today.
Sybiha mentioned that he discussed with European ministers gathered in London about the measures that could be taken against Russia, including new sanctions against Russian banking and energy sectors and the Russian Central Bank. He also revealed that discussions were held regarding new defense assistance packages for Ukraine.
Ukraine Awaits Russia's Response on Face-to-Face Meeting Between Zelensky and Putin
So far, Russia has not responded to the offer made on Sunday by Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, to hold "in-person" talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, nor to the ultimatum issued alongside allies to cease fighting for a month.
The German government warned that time is running out for Russia to accept the ceasefire before Tuesday, adding that if Moscow does not agree to the proposal, Europeans will continue with preparations to impose new sanctions against Russia.
The Ukrainian army denounced on Monday that Russia launched a new massive drone attack overnight.
Four Civilians Killed in Ukrainian Attacks in the Kherson Region
The Russian governor of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, reported that four civilians died and two others were injured in Ukrainian attacks on territory controlled by Russia. "In the past 24 hours, as a result of Kiev's aggression, four civilians died and two were injured," Saldo wrote on a Telegram channel.
He specified that the four deceased and one of the injured were the result of a drone attack on the town of Chelburda. There was also one injured in the village of Goli Pristan, Saldo added.
He further mentioned that due to Ukrainian attacks, a house and two apartment buildings were damaged in the city of Nova Kakhovka, on the left bank of the Dnieper River.
The governor denounced that during the previous day, Ukrainian artillery targeted a dozen localities.
Russian troops currently control two-thirds of the Kherson region, while Kiev maintains the northern third of that territory, including its capital, the city of Kherson.
Zelensky Informs Leon XIV of His Ceasefire Proposal and Invites Him to Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on Monday by phone with the newly elected Pope Leon XIV, thanking him for his support for a fair peace in Ukraine and informing him of the joint proposal from Kiev and its main European partners to Russia to declare a 30-day ceasefire.
"I have informed him about the agreement between Ukraine and our partners that today a complete, unconditional ceasefire of at least 30 days should begin, and I have also confirmed our readiness for additional negotiations in any format, and specifically for direct negotiations," Zelensky wrote on his social media, as reported by Efe.
Zelensky also discussed with Leon XIV the issue of the release of prisoners of war and the "thousands" of Ukrainian children transferred by Russia to other areas under its control from the territories it occupies in Ukraine. "Ukraine counts on the contribution of the Vatican for their return home, to their families," emphasized the Ukrainian president, who invited the pope to Ukraine. "Such a visit would bring true hope to all believers, to all our people," he said.
Russia Claims to Have Captured a Village in Donetsk
Russian troops have captured the settlement of Kotliarivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday through its channel on the Telegram messaging app.
Kallas: "To Initiate Any Peace Talks, There Must Be a Ceasefire"
The Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, stated upon arriving at Lancaster House in London, where a meeting of the Weimar+ group is taking place, which includes France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the EU, that to initiate any peace talks on Ukraine, there must be a ceasefire.
Kallas made brief statements emphasizing the need for a ceasefire to demonstrate Russia's willingness to engage in dialogue with Ukrainians.
"We also want to see that Russia wants peace. Two are needed for peace, only one for war. And we see that Russia clearly wants war. It has been over two months since Ukraine accepted an unconditional ceasefire. Russia has simply been playing," she added.
Russia Announces Response to Closure of Its Consulate in Krakow
Russia has announced a prompt and appropriate response to the decision of the Polish Government to close the Russian Consulate General in the city of Krakow.