Rudolph Angler Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday night that he is willing to meet with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul for peace talks on May 15. This marks a shift in Russia’s approach to negotiations, as Putin has invited Ukraine to restart discussions without any preconditions.
In a late-night address, Putin proposed to resume direct talks with Ukraine on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul. This comes after months of tension and stalled diplomatic efforts between the two countries. Moscow had previously demanded a halt to Western military assistance before considering any peace agreement, but this time, Putin has dropped that condition.
Ukraine’s Call for a Ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, supported by European leaders and U.S. President Joe Biden, has been advocating for a 30-day ceasefire as a step toward peace. Zelenskyy’s plan calls for the ceasefire to begin on May 12, with no conditions attached and no negotiations required.
Western allies, including the U.S. and the EU, have warned Russia of stronger sanctions if it refuses to accept the truce offer. However, Putin did not comment on this proposal during his speech. Instead, he emphasized his own call for peace talks, leaving the ceasefire proposal largely unaddressed.
Earlier, Russia declared a brief, unilateral ceasefire from May 8 to May 11, coinciding with Victory Day celebrations. However, the temporary halt to fighting failed to bring a lasting peace to the region.
Ceasefire Violations Amid Ongoing Violence
Despite Moscow’s announcement of a ceasefire, fighting continued unabated on the front lines. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, criticized the Russian ceasefire as a “farce” in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He claimed that Russian forces continued attacking Ukrainian towns and civilians even during the declared pause in fighting.
Both Ukraine and Russia blamed each other for the continuation of violence. Putin accused Ukraine of launching several attacks into Russian territory during the ceasefire period. According to him, Ukrainian forces conducted five raids into the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod, which he claimed had “no military significance.”
These ongoing skirmishes have raised doubts about the viability of any peace agreement. The international community remains divided on how to approach the conflict and whether a lasting ceasefire can be achieved.
International Reactions to the Ceasefire
While the ceasefire failed to stop the violence, the international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution. European leaders and the U.S. have reiterated their support for Ukraine, urging Russia to accept the truce and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Experts are closely watching the upcoming talks in Istanbul, hoping that the meeting will lead to a breakthrough. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as both sides prepare for the next phase of negotiations.