Zelensky calls for ceasefire ahead of Putin meeting

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The Ukrainian president insisted Thursday that a ceasefire is the first step before a possible meeting with the Russian president that will also be attended by leaders of the United States and the European Union.

"The priorities are absolutely clear. First, stop the killings, and it is Russia that must accept the ceasefire. Second, a leaders' format, so that the meeting can lead to a truly lasting peace," Zelensky wrote on social media.

Zelensky is expected to meet with the leaders of Germany, Italy and France this Thursday to coordinate positions on upcoming events.

The third step on Zelensky's proposed agenda is to outline long-term security guarantees for Ukraine with Europe and the United States.

The Ukrainian president said he spoke by phone on Wednesday with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, following talks with US President Donald Trump and several European leaders.

These diplomatic measures follow a meeting held Wednesday in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and White House envoy to Russia Steve Witkoff.

According to Trump , the meeting paved the way for peacemaking between Zelensky and Putin that could occur in the coming days.

To force Russia to take concrete steps to end the war, Trump this week ordered an increase in tariffs on India from the current 25% to 50%.

This measure aims to prevent the Asian country from buying large quantities of Russian oil, an export that is the Kremlin's main source of funding for the war effort.

On July 29, Trump gave Putin a 10-day deadline, which expires on Friday, to take steps toward peace.