As the Russia–Ukraine war enters its fourth year, a new diplomatic window is opening—though one filled with distrust and uncertainty. Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine, to be held on May 15 in Istanbul, without preconditions. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the idea but insisted that a “full and lasting ceasefire” must begin by May 12 for talks to proceed.
According to TASS, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the initiative reflects “a very serious proposal” and “the real intention to find a peaceful solution.”
“A lasting peace can be achieved only through serious negotiations, and the readiness for these negotiations has now been shown and demonstrated by the [Russian] president,” Peskov said during a Channel One broadcast.
Putin’s initiative marks the first offer of unconditional talks since negotiations collapsed in late 2022. However, the diplomatic overture comes amid renewed Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Mykolaiv, which have stoked skepticism about the Kremlin’s sincerity.
President Zelensky reacted with cautious optimism in a series of public posts on X (formerly Twitter). In an earlier statement, he wrote:
“It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.
There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12th, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”
— @ZelenskyyUa
Later, at 1 PM local time on May 11, Zelensky reaffirmed his position:
“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”
— @ZelenskyyUa
Despite the proposal for talks, the Kremlin has been cautious about expectations. In an interview with ABC News, Peskov emphasized:
“The settlement in Ukraine is a very difficult thing… This is a settlement process filled with the smallest of details. And each of these details is extremely important for both Russia and Ukraine.”
President Donald J. Trump, currently serving his second term, also weighed in through a post on Truth Social. He urged Ukraine to attend the talks without delay:
“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY… HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!”
— Donald J. Trump via Truth Social
Even as high-level diplomacy appears on the horizon, the reality on the ground remains grim. Overnight drone attacks continue to batter Ukrainian infrastructure, casting doubt on whether Russia intends to halt military operations by May 12 as demanded.
A coalition of European nations has echoed Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire, with many warning that failure to de-escalate could lead to new sanctions against Russia’s energy and financial sectors.
For now, Ukraine’s message is clear: no ceasefire, no diplomacy. Whether the Istanbul summit will proceed—and whether it will yield any breakthrough—depends on what unfolds in the next 48 hours.
© Virginia Times. All rights reserved.
Republication or use of any part of this article without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
