Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation for direct negotiations on a lasting peace, calling it a positive signal and emphasizing that the entire world has long awaited such a step.
Writing on the platform X, Zelensky said the first and essential step toward ending the war is a ceasefire.
“It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The whole world has waited a long time for this. The first step toward truly ending any war is a ceasefire,” Zelensky stated.
He added that there is no sense in continuing the conflict even one more day and that Ukraine expects Russia to confirm a ceasefire beginning May 12.
“There is no justification to continue killing even for a single day longer. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire—complete, permanent, and reliable—starting tomorrow, May 12. Ukraine is ready to meet,” he wrote.
Earlier, Putin proposed direct negotiations to take place on May 15 in Istanbul, with the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
While Kyiv has not officially confirmed the location or date of the meeting, Zelensky’s statement clearly signals readiness for peace talks, under the condition that an immediate ceasefire is established.
