Putin Proposes Discussing With Ukraine Directly After Threats From Trump And European Leaders
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested direct talks with Ukraine to resolve the ongoing war, but he omitted any reference to a 30-day ceasefire plan endorsed by European leaders and the United States.
Addressing the nation from the Kremlin on Sunday morning, Putin proposed resuming negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, stating, “We propose to the Kyiv authorities to resume the talks that they broke off in 2022, and, I emphasise, without any preconditions.”
In the past, Russia and Ukraine engaged in talks in Istanbul during the war’s early phase, but those discussions did not result in a ceasefire. Putin noted he would consult Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to gain support for hosting the new round of negotiations.
“I am committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine,” he declared, emphasizing the importance of tackling what he termed the “root causes” of the conflict — issues frequently tied to Russia’s objections to Ukraine’s alignment with the West.
While indicating willingness to consider a new ceasefire during the proposed talks, Putin strongly condemned what he labeled Western “ultimatums” and “anti-Russian rhetoric.” He made no direct mention of the ceasefire proposal put forward just hours earlier by Ukraine and the leaders of France, Germany, Britain, and Poland.
In Kyiv, European leaders alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed Moscow to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, threatening further sanctions if Russia did not comply.
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking after returning from Ukraine, warned that Putin’s proposal might be a ploy to “buy time.” He stressed that “an unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition.”
The ceasefire plan has garnered widespread international support. “We have just now… decided to support a ceasefire which will begin next Monday, without any preconditions,” Macron announced at a Kyiv press conference. The statement came after a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The leaders also conducted a video call with representatives from roughly 20 other nations in the pro-Ukraine coalition. Macron cautioned that “massive sanctions” were being prepared by the U.S. and Europe in case of a ceasefire breach.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on Truth Social, describing it as “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” and vowed to keep engaging with both parties. Despite past criticism for his approach to Moscow, Trump has recently voiced frustration with the war’s duration and indicated impatience with Putin.
British Prime Minister Starmer highlighted the increasing alignment among Western nations, noting the Kyiv discussions demonstrated “absolute unity across a whole range of countries around the world, including the United States.”
Polish Prime Minister Tusk called the moment a turning point, stating, “For the first time in a long time we had a feeling that the whole free world is truly united.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also endorsed the proposed truce, advocating for its unconditional adoption as a step toward substantive peace talks.
Meanwhile, the display of unity followed Putin’s oversight of a Moscow military parade commemorating 80 years since Nazi Germany’s defeat. He had earlier announced a unilateral three-day ceasefire for the occasion, though Ukrainian forces reported that fighting persisted at regular levels during that time.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
