Putin invites Ukraine to resume direct negotiations with Russia

Amid an accelerating push by Ukraine and its Western allies to secure a 30-day ceasefire with the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin has proposed that Kyiv resume direct negotiations with Moscow. Putin said the direct talks could begin “without delay or any preconditions” as soon as Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, “where they were [previously] interrupted” — a reference to negotiations in March 2022 that resulted in the Istanbul Communiqué. He said he plans to ask Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to host the talks, emphasizing that Russia is prepared for “serious negotiations with Ukraine.” 

“The point of such talks is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and to establish a long-term, durable peace that will stand the test of time. We don’t rule out the possibility that, in the course of these negotiations, it might be possible to agree on new ceasefires — on a real truce,” the Russian president added.

More about the Istanbul Communiqué

Hours before Putin’s proposal, the Ukrainian authorities endorsed a “full and unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days,” starting as early as Monday, May 12. This announcement followed a visit to Kyiv by European leaders Emmanuel Macron, Donald Tusk, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz.