Kellogg calls for 30-day ceasefire as precondition for Ukraine-Russia talks
Photo: Trump's Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg (Getty Images)
Trump’s Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has said that before any negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow can begin, there must be a ceasefire.
"As President Trump has repeatedly said, stop the killing!! An unconditional 30-day ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions. Not the other way around," Kellogg wrote on X.
His post was a response to a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who overnight rejected the proposed ceasefire. Instead, he proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to hold talks with Russia. However, he emphasized that Moscow must first confirm a ceasefire starting May 12. That proposal was made yesterday by Ukraine together with the United States and the Coalition of the Willing.
Putin also held a phone conversation today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asking him to provide a venue for the talks. Shortly afterward, Erdoğan said he was ready to host both sides in Istanbul. But he stressed that a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Trump had expressed interest in involving the Turkish President in the process of ending Russia's war against Ukraine.
