Germany demands a ceasefire in Ukraine, or new sanctions loom

• Germany has threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by the end of Monday.
• Other Western countries, including the United States, support the proposed restrictions.
• "The language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

"The language of ultimatums is unacceptable to Russia, it is not appropriate," Peskov said. "You cannot talk to Russia in such a language," he added.

Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said at noon in Berlin that if a ceasefire is not reached by the end of Monday, preparations for sanctions will be initiated. "The clock is ticking; we have twelve hours left until the end of the day," the politician added.

The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, echoed these sentiments, stating that Russia must "act" to avoid further sanctions. He noted that the United States is also ready to tighten restrictions.

On May 10, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom and the United States would increase military aid to Ukraine and impose more sanctions on Russia if Moscow refuses to agree to a ceasefire. According to him, if Putin "is serious about peace, now is the chance to show it."

On the same day, French President Emmanuel Macron made a similar statement, emphasizing that the new sanctions package would increase pressure on the Russian economy and should serve as a "deterrent mechanism."

The leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has responded with a counterproposal to start direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday in Turkey. He stated that Russia proposes talks to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict."