Austria ready to host peace talks on Ukraine, Chancellor says
Photo: Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (Getty Images)
Austria is ready to become a platform for holding negotiations aimed at resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine, stated Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker in an interview with Euractiv.
Stocker noted that he is focused on trying to move peace talks on Ukraine to Vienna.
"Vienna remains a good place to negotiate international issues in the future – that would also be a possibility for the Ukraine war," he said.
According to the outlet, Ukraine, which doubts Austria's neutrality toward Russia, has not yet accepted the offer.
Putin's proposal for talks in Türkiye
In a recent press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the proposal by Ukraine, the US, and the Coalition of the Willing to implement a ceasefire starting May 12. Instead, he suggested resuming negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, talks that originally began in 2022, from the point where they were previously interrupted.
World leaders have reacted critically to Putin’s initiative, with most viewing it as a move by the Kremlin to buy time and prolong the war. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv is ready for negotiations with Russia, but only if Moscow agrees to a ceasefire starting May 12.
Meanwhile, Türkiye has officially stated its readiness to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia.
President Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness for dialogue but stressed that a confirmed ceasefire starting May 12 is a necessary condition.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump said he may travel to Istanbul to participate in a possible meeting between Ukraine and Russia. He also expressed confidence that Russia would agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
