KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that Ukraine has extended an offer to Russia for a renewed round of peace talks, following a pause in negotiations last month. The proposal, delivered by newly appointed Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, invites Russian representatives to a new meeting scheduled for next week. In his evening national address, Zelenskyy stressed the urgency of a ceasefire. “Everything should be done to achieve a ceasefire,” he said. “The Russian side should stop hiding from decisions.” He also reiterated his willingness to meet directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that a leadership-level meeting is essential for achieving “lasting peace.” Umerov, who previously served as defence minister, was appointed last week to reinvigorate peace efforts. He had led Ukraine’s delegation in earlier rounds of negotiations in Turkiye, which produced minimal progress beyond agreements on prisoner exchanges and the return of soldiers’ remains. Russia has not yet officially responded to the latest Ukrainian proposal. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged on Friday that peace talks require “more momentum,” echoing Zelenskyy’s sentiments. The renewed diplomatic push comes amid escalating military activity on both sides. On Saturday, Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault on Ukraine, with over 300 drones and 30 missiles striking 10 regions, including the key Black Sea port city of Odesa. At least one civilian was killed and six others injured, according to Ukrainian authorities. In retaliation, Ukraine targeted infrastructure inside Russia. A Ukrainian drone strike in the Rostov region halted train operations overnight, injuring a railway worker. Moscow also reported that its air defence systems intercepted 27 Ukrainian drones throughout Saturday afternoon. Russian aviation authorities temporarily suspended operations at Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports in response to the attacks, though flights later resumed. Meanwhile, international pressure on Moscow continues to mount. U.S. President Donald Trump, reversing his earlier conciliatory stance, has given the Kremlin a 50-day ultimatum to agree to a ceasefire or face sweeping economic penalties, including 100 percent tariffs and secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers. He also pledged to significantly increase arms deliveries to Ukraine. Russia responded sharply to Trump’s threats. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the U.S. position as “blackmail” and claimed that Washington’s actions were undermining the peace process. She said the resumption of American arms support signalled Ukraine’s intention to abandon negotiations. Despite the exchange of fire and hardening rhetoric, Zelenskyy remains committed to diplomacy. “A meeting at the leadership level is needed to truly ensure peace,” he insisted. With over 1.2 million people estimated to have been killed or wounded since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the human toll continues to climb in what has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II. Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies