Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to as for the resumption of direct peace talks with Ukraine, proposing a gathering in Istanbul on Might 15 with none preconditions.
The supply has been welcomed by Turkey’s strongman President Erdoğan and cautiously echoed by US President Donald Trump, however rejected by Kyiv and Europe’s globalist leaders, who’re insisting that Russia first comply with an “unconditional” 30-day ceasefire.
Talking from the Kremlin in a late-night deal with, Putin acknowledged: “We suggest the Kyiv authorities resume the negotiations they interrupted on the finish of 2022… with none preconditions… to start at once subsequent Thursday, 15 Might in Istanbul.” He emphasised that the talks ought to purpose for a “long-term, lasting peace” and never only a pause in hostilities.
WATCH: Putin’s full assertion after talks with world leaders
Main level: peace talks proposal for Ukraine.
Time? Might 15
The place? Istanbul (Turkey)
Will Zelensky agree? pic.twitter.com/laji4ONA5e
— Ignorance, the basis and stem of all evil (@ivan_8848) May 11, 2025
The Istanbul talks in March 2022, in keeping with former U.S. officers chatting with International Affairs, had produced the framework for a tentative peace deal. Russian officers, together with Putin, later confirmed {that a} settlement was shut. Nevertheless, the method abruptly collapsed following intensified Western intervention. A report by Ukrainska Pravda revealed that then–UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Kyiv in April 2022 and urged Zelensky to not signal any settlement with Russia.
These Istanbul negotiations had reportedly included provisions that might have seen Ukraine undertake neutrality in change for worldwide safety ensures—a framework that has since been all however ignored by Western allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, for his half, has responded with situations of his personal. “I will likely be ready for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelensky wrote on X. “However provided that Moscow agrees to a full and lasting ceasefire, ranging from tomorrow.” He additional warned that Kyiv was bored with what he referred to as Moscow’s “excuses.”
We await a full and lasting ceasefire, ranging from tomorrow, to supply the mandatory foundation for diplomacy. There isn’t a level in prolonging the killings. And I will likely be ready for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians is not going to search for…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 11, 2025
This conditional stance has raised eyebrows in some quarters, because it seems Kyiv continues to set hurdles for talks it beforehand deserted in 2022, leaving many with the impression that it’s not critical about reaching a peace settlement.
President Erdoğan, sustaining his nation’s uncommon place as a NATO member with balanced ties to each Russia and Ukraine, reiterated Ankara’s willingness to host negotiations.
In line with a readout from his workplace, Erdoğan advised Putin that “a complete ceasefire would create the mandatory setting for peace talks,” however welcomed Russia’s willingness to return to the desk.
Turkey’s position stands in stark distinction to that of the European bloc. At a summit in Kyiv, attended by Zelensky together with exceedingly unpopular globalist premiers like French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, leaders issued a joint ultimatum to Moscow: comply with a right away 30-day ceasefire or face extreme new sanctions.
“All of us right here, along with the US, are calling Putin out,” Starmer declared. “If he turns his again on peace, we’ll reply. We’ll ramp up sanctions and enhance our army help for Ukraine’s defence.”
Critics, significantly in Central Europe, notice the irony of Western powers demanding “unconditional” ceasefires whereas concurrently rejecting Russia’s supply for unconditional talks. Hungary, although in a roundabout way represented on the Kyiv summit, has ceaselessly criticized what it calls the West’s double requirements and infinite escalation.
Moscow has dismissed Kyiv’s ceasefire calls for as tactical stalling, suggesting Ukraine would exploit the lull to rearm. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov famous that Russia was reviewing the phrases of the Western-backed truce, however remained skeptical of its sincerity given Ukraine’s earlier violations of three Russian-initiated ceasefires — together with the latest 72-hour Victory Day pause.
President Trump, commenting by way of Fact Social, mentioned, “There’s a giant week upcoming,” and reiterated his want to finish the “unending massacre.” He added that “the USA needs to focus, as a substitute, on rebuilding and commerce,” signaling a shift away from Washington’s present posture of open-ended assist for Kyiv.
In personal discussions with European leaders in the course of the Kyiv summit, Trump reportedly urged Zelensky to just accept Moscow’s supply “instantly,” in keeping with aides. Trump’s staff has argued that “Moscow doesn’t need a mere ceasefire—it needs to barter a doable finish to the massacre.”
This newest episode reveals the more and more fractured method to the struggle. Whereas Ukraine, backed by its Western patrons, insists on dictating phrases earlier than negotiations, Russia, regardless of its continued wins on the battlefield, has proven a willingness to speak. Turkey, in the meantime, has emerged as one of many few actors able to brokering a critical diplomatic monitor, if solely each side are ready to have interaction.
Whether or not Kyiv’s situations quantity to a diplomatic impasse or a negotiating technique stays to be seen. What is obvious, nevertheless, is that peace will stay elusive so long as ceasefire calls for are used as political leverage fairly than beginning factors for dialogue.
