Russia Offers Direct Peace Talks With Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday offered direct negotiations with Ukraine later this week, an announcement that follows calls by Kyiv’s Western allies for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and threats of additional sanctions, Al Jazeera reported. 

The Russian leader proposed holding talks “without preconditions” with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey. He said the talks would attempt to “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” and “to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace” rather than simply be a pause for rearmament. 

Putin added that the two countries, at war since February 2022, could reach a ceasefire during the Istanbul talks. 

His offer came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom in Kyiv, where they jointly called for a ceasefire to begin Monday – a proposal also endorsed by US President Donald Trump. 

Kyiv’s allies threatened “massive” new sanctions on Russia if it did not agree to their plan. Putin rejected the proposals and warnings as “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric” before offering direct talks. 

Zelenskyy welcomed the offer as a “positive sign,” but reiterated that peace talks can only begin once Russia implements a “full, lasting, and reliable” ceasefire. US officials echoed that position, saying talks must follow an unconditional pause in fighting. 

However, European leaders were more skeptical of Moscow’s overtures, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying it’s “not enough,” and warning that Putin is “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time,” the Associated Press added. 

Meanwhile, Turkey told both French and Russian leaders it was ready to host the peace talks. 

The attempts at a ceasefire come as the war continues in its third year, and attempts to stop the fighting have stalled despite the Trump administration’s efforts to end the conflict. 

The US has threatened to walk out of the talks if Russia and Ukraine do not reach a ceasefire soon, with analysts noting that the warring parties have blamed each other for failing to reach an agreement. 

Ukraine has long pushed for a 30-day ceasefire, although Russia has rejected it, citing “nuances” that need to be addressed first, CNN wrote. 

So far, the Kremlin has offered few concessions and has insisted on conditions for peace, including that the US recognize Russia’s control over about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.