Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin could call ceasefire ‘even today’ if he wanted to, says Zelensky

Dismissing Vladimir Putin’s provide of a brief ceasefire in May as but “one other try at manipulation” is an understatement. The Russian president is – based on the previous head of MI6 – intent on taking way more than simply Ukraine.

Removed from worrying by current mini-threats from Donald Trump to extend sanctions or stung by the US president’s irritation at Russia’s stalling over a ceasefire, Putin is cupping his ears in a pantomime of consideration and carrying on doing as he pleases.

Such behaviour chimes with the uncharacteristically stark message from ex-spy chief Sir Alex Youthful who, after a lifetime within the shadows of espionage, has a easy message: “Should you don’t stand as much as him, he comes again for extra – what number of extra occasions will we should be informed this?”

World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley appears to be like on the present state of the battle, the chance of an enduring ceasefire and what Russian chief Vladimir Putin is planning subsequent:

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has demanded “extra sanctions” on Russia with a peace deal nonetheless showing removed from being reached.

“Three issues are wanted. Extra sanctions towards Russia, continued help for Ukraine, and a big enhance in defence cooperation throughout Europe,” Mr Zelensky mentioned.

“Russia should know that Europeans will defend themselves.”

Mr Zelensky was talking from Prague alongside Czech president Petr Pavel, who he met on Sunday to debate artillery and F-16 help.

Mr Pavel mentioned Russia had but to point out any indication it wished to proceed with measures to finish the conflict.

“If somebody has all of the playing cards of their hand to finish the conflict then it’s President Putin, who can do it with a single determination,” he informed reporters. “However to this point the desire has not appeared”.

Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky has mentioned a ceasefire is feasible “even from right this moment” if Moscow is critical about ending the conflict.

Talking at a joint information convention with Czech president Petr Pavel yesterday, Mr Zelensky famous that Russia has ignored a US proposal for a full ceasefire for 54 days and thanked the Czech Republic for backing Ukraine’s name for a 30-day ceasefire.

“Putin could be very keen to point out off his tanks on the (Victory Day) parade,” Mr Zelensky mentioned, “however he ought to take into consideration ending his conflict.”

He once more expressed deep skepticism over Russia’s proposal of a 72-hour ceasefire in Ukraine to mark Victory Day within the Second World Battle, saying Moscow continues to launch lots of of assaults regardless of publicly signaling curiosity in a partial truce.

“Even throughout Easter, regardless of guarantees — together with to the USA — Russia carried out greater than 100 assaults,” Mr Zelensky mentioned, referring to Russian assaults throughout the 30-hour Easter ceasefire unilaterally declared by the Kremlin chief.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has mentioned that the necessity to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen and that he hopes it won’t.

In feedback aired yesterday in a movie by Russian state tv about his quarter of a century in energy, Mr Putin mentioned Russia has the energy and the means to deliver the battle in Ukraine to a “logical conclusion.”

Responding to a query about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Mr Putin mentioned: “There was no want to make use of these (nuclear) weapons … and I hope they won’t be required.”

“Now we have sufficient energy and means to deliver what was began in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the result Russia requires,” he mentioned.

Ukraine says it destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet utilizing a missile fired from a seaborne drone, in what it mentioned was the world’s first downing of a fight aircraft by a maritime drone.

Its GUR navy intelligence company mentioned on social media that the fighter had been shot down by a navy intelligence unit known as Group 13 on Friday over waters close to Novorossiisk, a significant Russian port metropolis on the Black Sea.

Ukraine’s seaborne drones, that are less expensive and smaller than typical ships, have wrought havoc on Russia’s Black Sea fleet, with the Sukhoi-30 solely the newest reported casualty.

Based on its producer, serial manufacturing of the plane started in 2022.

Designed within the “pixelated” camouflage color scheme, the Sukhoi fighter jet’s physique has a color mixture of darkish and lightweight gray with and black pixels, which consultants say is designed so as to add to its stealth capabilities.

It may be developed for carrying missiles and bombs in cargo compartments and has a significant onboard defence advanced. The jet additionally options an inner weapons bay, giving the pilot a alternative between long-range or close-combat missiles.

Chief check pilot Sergei Bogdan Bogdan claims the fifth-generation fighter jet’s agility may give it an edge over its American competitor, the F-35.

Two Russian fighter jets have been destroyed by Ukrainian sea drones, based on experiences, with video of the primary strike rising.

Ukraine’s navy intelligence mentioned it shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet close to the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk utilizing a naval drone on Saturday, calling it the world’s first such strike.

The company chief then informed The Battle Zone that two Russian jets have been in truth downed within the operation on Saturday.

US president Donald Trump has mentioned he’s not positive if he will probably be assembly his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this month in Saudi Arabia.

Talking to reporters as he returned to the White Home after a weekend in Florida, Mr Trump was requested whether or not he deliberate to satisfy Mr Putin when he travels to the Center East later this month the place he’ll meet a number of Gulf leaders.

He mentioned he had not thought of this however “we have had some excellent discussions” about Russia and Ukraine in current days.

“There’s a variety of hatred there,” he mentioned.