Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed resuming direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, amid mounting calls from European leaders and the United States for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking from the Kremlin early Sunday, Putin urged the resumption of negotiations that stalled in 2022, insisting they occur “without any preconditions.” He emphasized that Russia seeks to “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” and achieve “long-lasting peace,” though he did not directly address the ceasefire proposed by Ukraine’s allies just hours earlier.
Kyiv and the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland had met on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital to rally behind a ceasefire plan set to begin Monday. The proposal, backed by the U.S. and other nations, warned Russia of “massive sanctions” should it violate the ceasefire.
Despite this, Putin dismissed the initiative, accusing the West of issuing “ultimatums” and fueling “anti-Russian rhetoric,” while suggesting a new ceasefire agreement could emerge from the proposed talks in Istanbul.
Putin also stated his intention to consult Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, under whose mediation earlier negotiations were held during the first weeks of the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump responded optimistically, calling it “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” on his Truth Social platform, while promising continued diplomatic efforts to make it happen. Yet French President Emmanuel Macron expressed skepticism, saying Putin’s proposal appeared aimed at “buying time.”
The Kyiv meeting was notable for its unified front: Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to urge the ceasefire and reinforce international support for Ukraine.
The leaders held a video call with officials from about 20 countries in the pro-Ukraine coalition, with promises of enforcement and monitoring, mainly by the U.S., if the ceasefire goes into effect.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed the truce, saying it should be implemented “without pre-conditions” to allow room for genuine peace negotiations.
Despite Putin’s earlier announcement of a unilateral three-day truce to mark Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, Ukrainian forces in the east reported that the level of hostilities had not decreased.
What you should know
President Putin has proposed restarting peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, while Western allies—including the U.S.—are pushing for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, backed by threats of sanctions if violated.
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