**Ukraine Conflict: Key Developments on May 11**
The situation in Ukraine remains tense as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his readiness to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey on May 15. This comes amidst a call for an immediate ceasefire, which has been met with rejection by the Kremlin.
**Zelensky Calls for Ceasefire, Ready to Meet Putin**
In a statement, Zelensky emphasized that there is no point in prolonging the killings and urged Russia to agree to a complete and unconditional ceasefire. “A long-term, unconditional ceasefire could bring peace much closer,” he said. The Ukrainian leader also mentioned that his country has agreed to a 30-day full ceasefire, provided Russia agrees to it.
Meanwhile, Putin has suggested direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul starting May 15, without any prior agreement on a ceasefire. This move has been met with rejection by the United States and key European leaders, who insist that no negotiations can begin without a full and unconditional ceasefire.
**US and EU Leaders Reject Russian Proposal**
The US Special Envoy, Keith Kellogg, echoed concerns from President Trump, saying “stop the killing!! An unconditional 30-day ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Ukraine agreed with no ifs or buts to a 30-day ceasefire. The expectation is for Moscow to agree to this proposal before beginning genuine dialogue.
**Russia Continues Rejection of Ceasefire**
The Kremlin has continued to reject any ceasefire proposals, stating that talks must start first. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that Putin “clearly said: first negotiate about the root causes, and then we can talk about a ceasefire.” Moscow’s demands include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four partially occupied regions, recognition of their annexation, and changes reinstating the role of the Russian language and church.
**Ukraine Downs 60 Drones in Overnight Attack**
Russia launched an overnight drone attack across Ukraine early on May 11. Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted 60 Shahed drones, while another 41 decoy drones were lost from radar but did not cause damage. A 70-year-old man suffered a stress reaction during the attack in Kyiv Oblast.
**Regional Updates**
In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces carried out more than 100 strikes on 31 settlements across 14 communities over the past day. While there were no fatalities or injuries reported, several civilian structures were damaged or destroyed.
The situation remains tense, and it’s unclear if Russia will agree to a ceasefire before peace talks begin. The United States, Germany, and other European leaders have made their stance clear: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire is required before genuine dialogue can commence.
