"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.
The announcement follows mounting fears that the two nuclear-armed countries were on the brink of engaging in another full-scale war.
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.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
The visit marks Merz’s first trip to Ukraine, and the first time all four leaders have travelled there together.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
"As in the past, it is now for Russia to show its willingness to achieve peace," the EU's statement reads.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
The number includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Kherson Oblast nature reserve damaged but not fully destroyed by Russia, director clarifies
The Askania-Nova Nature Reserve in Kherson Oblast suffered heavily under Russian occupation but has not been fully destroyed as of now, the reserve's director, Viktor Shapoval, said in a comment for Suspilne on Aug. 19
Shapoval was reacting to a statement by Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin for the media that the reserve effectively ceased to exist because of Russia.
"The Russian military destroyed the Kahkovka hydroelectric power plant, flooding the region, and the famous Nature Reserve Askania-Nova was looted," Prokudin said in an interview with RBC Ukraine.
"The last thing I heard was that they are taking the animals to Crimea and Russia. That is, we can say that the reserve no longer exists. They robbed it thoroughly."
Askania-Nova is a biosphere reserve located in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine, that fell under Russian occupation from the first days of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Shapoval, Prokudin's words were likely taken out of context. The animals are being illegally taken away, but the reserve is far from being completely destroyed, he said.
The management head stressed, however, that the reserve suffered heavily as a result of Russian aggression, with many animals dying due to neglect and a large part of the steppes burning down.
Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported last November that Russian occupying forces were moving the animals from the Askania-Nova Nature Reserve to a safari park in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai.
Russian troops reportedly took several Chapman's zebras, American bison, Przewalski's horses, and Père David's deers from the Askania Zoo.
All these species have the status of "close to extinction," "endangered," and "close to endangered" and are listed in the Red Book and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
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