Last weekend saw a flurry of diplomatic activity surrounding the war in Ukraine. First, European leaders assembled in Kyiv on Saturday with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of unity to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire.

The EU is preparing new sanctions on Russia despite a potential meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, three sources told CNBC.

As cornered Russian despot Vladimir Putin refuses to bow to demands for a ceasefire before peace talks with Ukraine, his stalling tactics are exposed.

Kremlin slams ‘unacceptable’ ceasefire ultimatum after Moscow told to agree today - Volodymyr Zelensky says he is ready to meet Putin ‘personally’ this week in Istanbul, Turkey, for peace talks

Despite Russian dictator Vladimir Putin inviting Kyiv to direct “peace negotiations” in Istanbul on May 15, invading troops in eastern Ukraine are busy massing for another push to seize the entirety of Donetsk Oblast—a key objective that has remained out Kremlin’s reach since 2022.

European leaders threatened new sanctions unless Moscow accepted a cease-fire right away. President Trump seemed to endorse the idea of a meeting between Ukraine’s and Russia’s presidents, and said he might take part.