U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 14, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signalled Germany's openness to partake in a peacekeeping force on March 27.
Germany has previously sent mixed signals regarding its participation in a potential peacekeeping force. On Feb. 8, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was "premature and inappropriate" to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Pistorius was accompanied by Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur in Berlin.
"I can't imagine any situation in which Germany would not be participating in whatever would be the result of negotiations of a ceasefire or even a peace," Pistorius said on March 27.
Pistorius noted that many details regarding a peacekeeping force still need to be agreed upon.
"(I)t has to be decided when the time has come and it depends on so many parameters, like: How many troops will be... accepted in the ceasefire? What could be the mandate? Who is taking part in it?" he said.
Pistorius urged caution in making any public commitments while a potential ceasefire is still being negotiated.
"This is nothing we should discuss publicly on the market places before it's even clear whether we will have a ceasefire or not," Pistorius said.
The defense minister called for Europe to have a seat at peace negotiations, but noted he did not expect the U.S. to include Ukraine's European allies in the talks.
"I would hope so, but I don't believe it for the moment. There is no signal visible or to hear about in Washington that they are willing to let us on the table. And I'm afraid that could remain like that," Pistorius said.
On March 19, Pistorius criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's phone call to Russian President Vladimir on March 18.
"So Putin is playing a game here, and I'm sure the American president won't be able to stand by and watch for long without reacting," Pistorius said.
Volodymyr Ivanyshyn is a news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He is pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in political science with a minor in anthropology and human geography. Volodymyr holds a Certificate in Business Fundamentals from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. He previously completed an internship with The Kyiv Independent.
Natalia Yermak
