Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed reviving direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 “without preconditions,” responding to growing international calls for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.
The offer came shortly after Ukraine and its allies demanded that Moscow agree to a 30-day ceasefire or face intensified sanctions. In comments to reporters early Sunday, Putin recalled the failed 2022 negotiations that took place in Istanbul shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, saying he wants to “restart” those efforts, AP reported.
‘We are committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine’: Putin
“We are committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine,” Putin said. He added that while a ceasefire could be possible, it might only come later, “in the course of direct talks with Ukraine.”
His remarks follow a joint proposal by the leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland, who on Saturday called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning Monday. They said the plan has the backing of US President Donald Trump, who was briefed over the phone and stated that Ukraine and Russia are “very close to a deal” and should engage in “very high level talks.”
Ukraine: Open to peace talks, but only after ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is open to peace talks, but only after a ceasefire is established.
Putin outlined several ceasefire proposals Russia had made in recent months, including a halt on attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, a 30-hour Easter truce, and another brief unilateral ceasefire from May 8-10, according to AP. However, Ukrainian officials accused Moscow of violating each of these initiatives.
Putin countered on Sunday, claiming Ukraine had “sabotaged these initiatives time and time again” and accused Kyiv of carrying out attacks on Russian targets. He reiterated that Russia seeks a ceasefire that leads to “lasting peace,” not one that would allow Ukraine to regroup and strengthen its military.
He also said he would reach out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to help facilitate the proposed May 15 peace talks in Istanbul. Turkey had previously hosted negotiations between the two sides in March 2022, but those efforts fell apart amid disagreements over Ukraine’s neutrality, military limits, and the status of Russian-occupied regions.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv and Western allies of derailing those talks.
Zelenskyy, during a press conference in Kyiv alongside the visiting European leaders, welcomed their presence, calling it “a very important signal.”
A joint statement from the five leaders, posted on Zelenskyy’s official website, called for a ceasefire “lasting at least 30 days” starting Monday to enable diplomatic progress.
“An unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any conditions. If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered as an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy,” the statement read.
(With inputs from AP)
Anurag Dhole is a seasoned journalist and content writer with a passion for delivering timely, accurate, and engaging stories. With over 8 years of experience in digital media, she covers a wide range of topics—from breaking news and politics to business insights and cultural trends. Jane's writing style blends clarity with depth, aiming to inform and inspire readers in a fast-paced media landscape. When she’s not chasing stories, she’s likely reading investigative features or exploring local cafés for her next writing spot.
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
- ANURAG DHOLEhttps://indiatadkha.com/author/bitlancetechhubgmail-com/
