Ukraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky challenges Putin to meet him after Trump demands 30-day ceasefire

In his first Sunday blessing, Pope Leo XIV called for a just peace in Ukraine and the release of prisoners of war and kidnapped children.

“I also appeal to the great powers of the world, repeating the eternal call ‘Never again war’”, said Leo from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing approximately 100,000 people who gathered below.

Pope Leo also quoted Pope Francis, who condemned a series of conflicts that are devastating the world today, calling it “the third world war in parts.”

“I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,” he said. “May everything possible be done to achieve a true, just and lasting peace as soon as possible.”

He also called for the return of Ukrainian children home.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday called a proposal by Russian president Vladimir Putin to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul a “good sign.”

During an overnight news conference in Moscow, Mr Putin proposed the resumption of direct peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul, starting on Thursday.

In a press release published by the German government’s press and information office, Mr Merz was quoted as saying that Berlin and the so-called coalition of the willing called for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine.

“If the Russian side now signals a willingness to talk, that is initially a good sign. But it is far from sufficient,” he further said.

Standing under the dome of the Capitol Building, the bombastic, newly sworn-in 47th President of the United States, previously its 45th commander-in-chief, delivered a dark and partisan address before the throng of lawmakers and dignitaries.

There was a nod to one particular complaint, sandwiched between promises to build the strongest military the world has ever seen and a desire for an expansionist America, Trump said: “We will measure our success, not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.”

He continued: “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier.”

On the surface, an admirable mission statement, but underneath lies a personal motive and related gripe. President Trump has made no secret that one thing he really desires is a Nobel Peace Prize.

With their respective nations still yet to reach a formal ceasefire, Ukraine and Russia’s ambassadors appeared for dueling interviews Sunday on ABC News.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, spoke to ABC’s Martha Raddatz in Moscow.

“Ukraine is trying to escape from negotiations,” he claimed. Mr Raddatz interjected: “Ukraine says they’re ready for a ceasefire right now, a 30 days ceasefire.”

“But they’re not ready for immediate negotiations,” Mr Peskov said. “President Putin is doing whatever is possible to solve the problem, to achieve a settlement through peaceful and diplomatic means. But having no peaceful and democratic means at hand, we have to continue military operation.”

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken of his country’s role in hosting direct peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

“A historic turning point has been reached on the path to ending the war between Ukraine and Russia, and this opportunity should be seized… Turkey is ready to do everything possible, including negotiations, to ensure a ceasefire and lasting peace,” Mr Erdogan said during the conversation with French president Emmanuel Macron.

Nato member Turkey has maintained cordial ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

It has voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and provided it with military help, while opposing sanctions on Russia.

Donald Trump has said he was “starting to doubt” that Ukraine will reach a ceasefire deal with Russia, and he urged Ukraine to meet with Russian officials in Turkey on Thursday to negotiate.

“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social. “President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH.”

Mr Trump said that meeting would mean the two parties as well as European leaders and the US would then be “able to determine whether or not a deal is possible.”

The US president said that meeting would mean the two parties as well as European leaders and the US would then be “able to determine whether or not a deal is possible”.

Foreign secretary David Lammy is set to host European peers today to discuss support for Ukraine and greater regional defence cooperation in the run-up to prime minister Keir Starmer’s summit with European Union leaders next week.

Mr Lammy was due to hold talks with representatives of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU, Britain’s foreign ministry said.

“We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent,” Mr Lammy said in a statement. “The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine – it is existential for Europe as a whole.”

Mr Lammy planned to announce further sanctions targeting actors supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the statement said.

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland travelled to Kyiv on Saturday to back Ukraine’s call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire on Saturday, with the backing of US president Donald Trump.

Vladimir Putin presided over a massive show of tanks, missiles and troops in Moscow on Friday in a “belligerent” show of force alongside Chinese president Xi Jinping to bolster Russia’s global image as the Ukraine war grinds on.

Putin was joined by dozens of foreign leaders, who witnessed more than 11,000 troops on display in Red Square, in Russia’s Second World War Victory Day parade that involved soldiers from 13 other countries, and included 200 tanks among the presentation of presentation of military power.

As a reminder of Russia’s nuclear threat, huge Yars nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles launchers rolled across Red Square, while Iranian-made drones used to attack Ukraine were carried on trucks in a nod to the conflict.

US president Donald Trump appeared to mock Vladimir Putin’s Second World War victory parade after the Russian leader called for direct peace talks with Ukraine.

Mr Trump said it was unlikely Ukraine could make a deal with Mr Putin because the Russian leader was “too busy celebrating the victory of World War II”.

He added that the conflict “could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States” after Mr Putin said on Friday the Soviet Union determined the outcome of the war.

The Russian dictator was joined by dozens of foreign leaders, who witnessed more than 11,000 troops on display in Red Square, Moscow, on Friday.

The US president demanded that Ukrainian officials “immediately” agree to meet with their Russian counterparts to negotiate a possible end to the “bloodbath” war waged on the country by Mr Putin.

It is unclear whether such a meeting, were it to take place, would include the Russian leader himself.

Shortly after the president’s post went live, Mr Zelensky said he would go to Turkey.

It is not known whether delegations from the US or the European “coalition of the willing” will also participate in the talks.

Mr Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday, saying they should be aimed at bringing a durable peace.