Moscow — President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s readiness to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine to end the ongoing war, proposing the next round of talks to occur on May 15 in Turkey, with no preconditions from Russia. He criticized Ukraine for previously abandoning negotiations and violating ceasefire agreements, while acknowledging that both sides have been accused of ceasefire violations in recent months. Putin conveyed a desire for serious discussions aimed at achieving lasting peace.
His remarks came as a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia concluded. Simultaneously, leaders from the UK, France, Poland, and Germany threatened to impose further sanctions on Russia unless it accepted an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning the following day. This coalition of leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, gathered in Kyiv to honor fallen Ukrainian soldiers and publicly demanded the ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed on their stance and reportedly supported the call for a truce.
The proposed ceasefire aims to halt all military action, permitting critical peace talks after over three years of conflict. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, noted that such a ceasefire could initiate the resolution of Europe’s longest war since World War II, echoing Trump’s sentiment to “stop the killing now.”
Additionally, Putin has made previous demands that Ukraine withdraw from four regions Russia annexed after its invasion and renounce NATO membership, alongside promises to safeguard Russian culture within Ukraine. He claimed that Russia possesses adequate resources to pursue the war thoroughly, although he hopes to avoid nuclear engagement.
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