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.
Photo for illustrative purposes. Ukrainian soldiers drive a tank amid Russia-Ukraine war on the frontline of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 29, 2023. (Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an Easter truce starting on April 19, claiming that it would "test Ukraine's sincerity in pursuing peace talks," but across the front line, Ukrainian soldiers have told the Kyiv Independent they have yet to see any sign of it.
The "Easter ceasefire" was supposed to come into effect at 6 p.m. on April 19 and last until midnight on April 21.
In the afternoon on April 20, Ukraine's General Staff reported 45 firefights across the front line over the previous day.
"No one ever believed the Russians would honor their own so-called ceasefire. No one’s letting their guard down — we’re staying alert and ready. For now, our orders are to observe and document," Bandera, a soldier serving in the Sumy direction, told the Kyiv Independent.
While it was "quiet until morning," Ukrainian forces in the Sumy direction have observed Russian forces using drones to lay mines across roads. Several explosions could be heard in the distance and reconnaissance activity "remains high," Bandera added.
Ukrainian infantry and artillery units are also repelling a series of Russian assaults across Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast.
A Ukrainian soldier loads shells into a vehicle adapted to fire helicopter shells in the direction of Toretsk, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Aug. 19, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"What do I see on this day? About five Russian assaults, which are continuing to this very moment. Right now, our infantry is in a firefight with the Russians, who have come to kill them. So no, I don't feel any ceasefire," Tekhnar, a battalion commander near Toretsk said.
"Today, just like yesterday, there were rocket strikes and artillery strikes and oh so many drone strikes," another soldier serving in the direction of Toretsk, speaking anonymously, said. "Despite all the discussions about a ceasefire the war goes on with no sign of stopping."
Babai, an officer fighting near Chasiv Yar, said that Russian forces had used cluster munitions.
"They're hitting us with everything," he said.
One soldier who spoke anonymously out security concerns regarding her location said that Russian infantry soldiers have been "crawling forward in groups of two or three" since the morning of April 20.
"The number of artillery strikes has dropped slightly — though around 10 p.m. last night, there were guided bomb attacks," she added.
In a post on X, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 20 that Ukraine is "documenting every Russian violation of its self-declared commitment to a full ceasefire for the Easter period and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners."
"Either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage," Zelensky said.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
