Putin proposed date and place for direct negotiations with Ukraine
Photo: Vladimir Putin, Russian president (Getty Images)
Vladimir Putin proposed to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine as early as next week, according to a broadcast of the Kremlin leader's speech.
During his press appearance, Putin stated that he proposes to resume negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul. He also noted that Russia had repeatedly offered steps toward a ceasefire (though, to be fair, it had set conditions) and allegedly had never refused dialogue with the Ukrainian side.
"I will remind you again, it was not us who broke off the negotiations in 2022. It was the Ukrainian side. In this regard, despite everything, we offer the Kyiv authorities to resume the negotiations they interrupted at the end of 2022. We propose to resume direct negotiations. And I emphasize, without any preconditions. We suggest starting without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul. The place where they were previously held and where they were interrupted," said Putin.
The Kremlin leader announced that tomorrow he will have a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Putin has already asked him to provide a platform for the talks.
"As you know, our Turkish colleagues have repeatedly offered their services in organizing such negotiations, and President Erdoğan has done a lot for their organization... Tomorrow, we have a planned conversation with President Erdoğan. I want to ask him to provide such an opportunity for conducting negotiations in Turkey. But I hope that he will confirm his desire to assist in finding peace in Ukraine," the dictator said.
He added that Russia is allegedly serious about the negotiations and does not rule out the possibility of reaching agreements on new ceasefire terms and a renewed cessation of hostilities.
"We are committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine. Their purpose is to address the root causes of the conflict and move toward establishing long-term, stable peace for the historical future. We do not rule out that during these negotiations we might agree on some new ceasefires, a new cessation of hostilities. And by real ceasefire, I mean a genuine one," he concluded.
Ukraine proposed 30-day ceasefire, but Putin ignored it
Yesterday, in Kyiv, a meeting of the "Coalition of the Resolute" took place, attended by: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of France Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
After the meeting, all five held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump and set a deadline for Putin to agree to a full 30-day ceasefire.
In particular, Zelenskyy announced that the ceasefire should begin on May 12, but if the Kremlin refuses, new sanctions will be imposed on Russia. Macron noted that the sanctions package is ready.
During his late-night address, Putin effectively ignored this proposal, not stating whether he agreed to it or not.
Yesterday, Zelenskyy told Trump that Ukraine is ready for direct negotiations with Russia, but only if a ceasefire is achieved.
