Zelensky calls Russia peace proposal an ‘ultimatum’ and demands talks with Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday dismissed Russia’s ceasefire proposal as “an ultimatum” and renewed his call for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock over the three-year war.

Both sides exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for a ceasefire for discussion at Monday’s direct peace talks between delegations in Istanbul, their second meeting in just over two weeks.