“If Vladimir Putin refuses to come to Turkey, it will be the final signal that Russia does not want to end this war, that Russia is not willing and not ready for any negotiations,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said in a statement reported by AFP.
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Merz’s sanctions threat seeks to put further pressure on Russia – snap analysis
Jakub Krupa
It will be interesting what, if any, will be the Kremlin’s reaction to Merz’s comments.
Yesterday, his spokesperson floated the idea, suggesting that further sanctions could be imposed if there is no response by the end of Monday.
There wasn’t.
And if that wasn’t enough, the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said “ultimatums” were “unacceptable” and dismissed it as a “not appropriate” way of speaking to Russia.
But this time round it comes from the top of the German government, the new chancellor himself. The intention is clear: to put even more pressure on Russia to move.
Will his words make any difference for Russia’s planning as they consider how to respond to the invitation for direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey?
ShareGermany’s Merz says Russia could face further sanctions if Ukraine talks stall
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU would impose tighter sanctions on Russia if there is no progress made in ceasefire talks by the end of the week.
Speaking at a press conference with Greek leader Mitsotakis, he repeated the warning in an attempt to put further pressure on Russia to move.
“We will be looking at other areas, such as the energy sector and also the financial market,” he said.
ShareChina, Brazil back direct Ukraine-Russia talks
The leaders of China and Brazil, members with Russia of the BRICS grouping of big emerging economies, said in a joint statement they hoped direct dialogue could begin as soon as possible and that they welcomed Putin’s proposal to open negotiations, Reuters reported.
Updated at 07.58 EDT
Germany’s Merz hosts Greece’s Mitsotakis for talks on Europe, international affairs
German chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Berlin today for talks on European and international affairs.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, receives prime minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis with military honours in front of the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. Photograph: Michael Kappeler/AP
Their press conference should start soon and you can follow it in our live stream below. If there are any strong news lines, I will let you know.
Friedrich Merz and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis speak to the media in Berlin – watch live
SharePutin skipping Turkey talks would be ‘final signal’ of Moscow intent, Zelenskyy’s top aide says
“If Vladimir Putin refuses to come to Turkey, it will be the final signal that Russia does not want to end this war, that Russia is not willing and not ready for any negotiations,” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said in a statement reported by AFP.
ShareKremlin says no comment on Turkey talks
Let me take you back to Ukraine for a moment as the Kremlin has just declined to comment when asked about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for Vladimir Putin to attend peace talks in Istanbul on Thursday.
“The Russian side continues to prepare for the talks scheduled for Thursday. That is all we can say at this point. We do not intend to comment further at this time,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters as quoted by AFP.
Depardieu was not in court this morning, and AFP noted that his whereabouts were not immediately clear.
He had in April been working in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores on a new film directed by his friend, actor Fanny Ardant, who has been outspoken in supporting him.
As part of the sentence, Depardieu will be also put on the sex offender register (fichier judiciaire automatisé des auteurs d’infractions sexuelles ou violentes).
ShareDepardieu to appeal today’s verdict, lawyer says
Meanwhile, Depardieu’s lawyer Jérémie Assous said in a brief statement that his client would “of course” appeal today’s ruling as he heavily criticised the verdict, alleging issues with the testimony given to court and claiming that the actor was denied his right to defend himself.
In previous hearings Assous called the two women “liars” and “hysterical”, arguing they were working for the cause of “rabid feminism”.
Updated at 05.06 EDT
Depardieu verdict marks end of impunity of artists in film industry, victim’s lawyers says
Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, representing one of the victims, told reporters it was “a beautiful decision,” and a “victory for the two women, but also for all the women behind this trial.”
She praised the courage of the victims to bring this action and tell their stories, despite their traumatic experiences.
She said she hoped the verdict would mark the end of impunity in the film industry and noted that it comes on the same day as the Cannes film festival is set to start.
One of the victims, known only as Amélie, added she was “very moved” by the decision, as she hailed the decision as “a real victory and a great step forward.”
‘Justice was done’, says victim after Depardieu guilty verdict – video
Updated at 07.14 EDT
Depardieu given 18-month suspended jail sentence for sexual assault
We are now getting reports that Depardieu was given 18-month suspended prison sentence after he was convicted of sexual assault against two women.
This appears to be in line with what was requested by the prosecutor.