- Zelenskyy challenges Putin to direct talks in Istanbul amid rising violence.
- Trump pressures Zelenskyy to accept Russia’s negotiation offer.
- Israeli airstrike on Gaza school kills 16, raising global alarm.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a ceasefire starting Monday and proposed direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on Thursday.
In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school-turned-shelter, killing at least 16 civilians, including women and children. The attack comes amid heightened tensions and escalating regional conflict, as the Israeli military maintains that Hamas is using populated areas to stage attacks.
Ceasefire in Question as Zelenskyy Urges Putin to Face-to-Face Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet in Istanbul for direct peace talks. Zelenskyy is pressing for a ceasefire to begin Monday, creating what he calls a “necessary basis for diplomacy.” However, Putin has rejected the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Kyiv and its European allies, insisting instead on talks without preconditions.
Trump has weighed in on the situation, posting on Truth Social that Ukraine should accept Russia’s offer to negotiate in Turkey. He asserted that determining Russia’s true intentions through direct talks could provide much-needed clarity. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, remain firm on a ceasefire as a prerequisite to any negotiations, with Merz calling Russia’s offer “a good sign” but “far from sufficient.”
In Gaza, the Israeli military has conducted an airstrike that killed 16 civilians in a school-turned-shelter, further intensifying the conflict in the region. The Israeli military blames Hamas for using civilian areas to stage attacks, while humanitarian organizations continue to call for restraint and protection of civilian lives. Trump’s scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE adds another layer of geopolitical complexity as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
Poland has accused Russian secret services of orchestrating a fire that destroyed a Warsaw shopping center in May 2024, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealing that several perpetrators are already in custody. The incident underscores growing European concerns over potential Russian sabotage operations, as investigations reveal the attack was coordinated by an individual in Russia.
The escalating tensions in Ukraine, Gaza, and Poland underscore the urgent need for diplomatic intervention, as leaders grapple with mounting civilian casualties and geopolitical instability.
“There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy
