Joanna Kakissis

If Putin makes this step and says he's ready for a ceasefire, Zelensky said, then this opens the way to discussions on ending the war. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

If Putin makes this step and says he's ready for a ceasefire, Zelensky said, then this opens the way to discussions on ending the war. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said he was optimistic that Russia could agree to a ceasefire on Monday. I will be in Turkey on May 15th and I will be waiting there for Putin, Zelensky said. And I hope this time Putin will not look for reasons why he cannot do something. On Saturday, the Russian leader said he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine but did not address a ceasefire.

In his nightly video address, Zelensky said he was optimistic that Russia could agree to a ceasefire on Monday. I will be in Turkey on May 15th and I will be waiting there for Putin, Zelensky said. And I hope this time Putin will not look for reasons why he cannot do something. On Saturday, the Russian leader said he was ready for direct talks with Ukraine but did not address a ceasefire.

The same day, the leaders of four major European countries traveled to Kiev. Together with Zelensky, they proposed an unconditional ceasefire that would last 30 days starting on Monday. President Trump says he supports the proposal. Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

The same day, the leaders of four major European countries traveled to Kiev. Together with Zelensky, they proposed an unconditional ceasefire that would last 30 days starting on Monday. President Trump says he supports the proposal. Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

The deal will allow the U.S. to develop and profit from Ukraine's critical minerals and natural resources, while also investing in the country's reconstruction. Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko, who is also a colonel in Ukraine's armed forces, said he remains concerned that the deal does not have explicit security guarantees. So this is an open question, he told NPR.

The deal will allow the U.S. to develop and profit from Ukraine's critical minerals and natural resources, while also investing in the country's reconstruction. Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko, who is also a colonel in Ukraine's armed forces, said he remains concerned that the deal does not have explicit security guarantees. So this is an open question, he told NPR.

Maybe these security guarantees are addressed elsewhere in separate technical agreements that we have not seen. Lawmakers added a paragraph saying that the deal would cover all Ukrainian territory, including Russian-occupied areas. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Maybe these security guarantees are addressed elsewhere in separate technical agreements that we have not seen. Lawmakers added a paragraph saying that the deal would cover all Ukrainian territory, including Russian-occupied areas. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had told President Trump that Ukraine needs more patriot systems. The two men spoke at a Vatican Basilica just before Pope Francis' funeral. Ukraine has suffered a series of deadly Russian attacks in recent weeks.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had told President Trump that Ukraine needs more patriot systems. The two men spoke at a Vatican Basilica just before Pope Francis' funeral. Ukraine has suffered a series of deadly Russian attacks in recent weeks.

Air defense systems can help shoot down Russian drones and missiles, says Roman Kostenko, a colonel in Ukraine's armed forces and a lawmaker on Parliament's Defense and National Security Committee. He says he has not heard how many Patriot systems are arriving, only that they will come from Israel. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Air defense systems can help shoot down Russian drones and missiles, says Roman Kostenko, a colonel in Ukraine's armed forces and a lawmaker on Parliament's Defense and National Security Committee. He says he has not heard how many Patriot systems are arriving, only that they will come from Israel. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

Thanks for having me, Michelle.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.

So Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svitodenko, she led Ukrainian negotiations on the deal, and she said... income would come from new licenses for critical minerals, things like graphite, titanium, lithium, as well as other natural resources. And she noted that Ukraine and the U.S.