Proposal follows EU leaders’ call for a 30-day ceasefire
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Ukraine to direct peace negotiations on May 15 in Istanbul, just hours after European leaders urged Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
In a rare late-night televised address from the Kremlin, Putin stated that Russia is seeking “serious negotiations” aimed at achieving a “lasting and durable peace.”
He noted that the proposed talks in Turkey could potentially lead to a new ceasefire agreement, echoing the format of earlier negotiations held in Istanbul. Putin is expected to discuss the details today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Ukraine has yet to issue an official response to the proposal.
Russia previously asserted that any consideration of a truce must follow the suspension of Western military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with leaders from France, Germany, and Poland, traveled to Kyiv yesterday to increase diplomatic pressure on Moscow for an unconditional ceasefire starting Monday.
