On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s readiness to resume direct talks with Ukraine aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. He proposed that discussions take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15, emphasizing that there would be no preconditions from Russia’s side. Putin accused Ukraine of previously walking away from talks and violating ceasefire agreements, though he acknowledged that both sides had committed attacks during the last three ceasefires. His comments coincided with the conclusion of a three-day ceasefire initiated by Russia.
In a related development, leaders from the UK, France, Poland, and Germany issued a warning to Putin, threatening to impose stricter sanctions unless he agrees to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. This demand was publicly supported by U.S. President Trump, who was briefed by these leaders earlier. The commitment for a ceasefire aims to halt military actions across land, sea, and air, in hopes of facilitating peace negotiations to conclude over three years of conflict.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine, commented that this ceasefire could initiate a path to ending the longest war in Europe since World War II, echoing Trump’s sentiment to “stop the killing now.” Despite his push for dialogue, Putin has reiterated demands for Ukraine to relinquish territories — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — which Russia annexed after its invasion in February 2022. He also insists on Ukraine’s commitment not to join NATO and to protect Russian culture within its borders.
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