Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed reviving direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Might 15 “with out preconditions,” responding to rising worldwide requires a direct, unconditional ceasefire.
The provide got here shortly after Ukraine and its allies demanded that Moscow conform to a 30-day ceasefire or face intensified sanctions. In feedback to reporters early Sunday, Putin recalled the failed 2022 negotiations that came about in Istanbul shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, saying he needs to “restart” these efforts, AP reported.
‘We’re dedicated to critical negotiations with Ukraine’: Putin
“We’re dedicated to critical negotiations with Ukraine,” Putin stated. He added that whereas a ceasefire may very well be doable, it’d solely come later, “in the middle of direct talks with Ukraine.”
His remarks observe a joint proposal by the leaders of France, the UK, Germany, and Poland, who on Saturday referred to as for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. They stated the plan has the backing of US President Donald Trump, who was briefed over the telephone and acknowledged that Ukraine and Russia are “very near a deal” and will interact in “very excessive degree talks.”
Ukraine: Open to peace talks, however solely after ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he’s open to peace talks, however solely after a ceasefire is established.
Putin outlined a number of ceasefire proposals Russia had made in latest months, together with a halt on assaults on Ukrainian vitality infrastructure, a 30-hour Easter truce, and one other temporary unilateral ceasefire from Might 8-10, in keeping with AP. Nevertheless, Ukrainian officers accused Moscow of violating every of those initiatives.
Putin countered on Sunday, claiming Ukraine had “sabotaged these initiatives time and time once more” and accused Kyiv of finishing up assaults on Russian targets. He reiterated that Russia seeks a ceasefire that results in “lasting peace,” not one that may permit Ukraine to regroup and strengthen its army.
He additionally stated he would attain out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to assist facilitate the proposed Might 15 peace talks in Istanbul. Turkey had beforehand hosted negotiations between the 2 sides in March 2022, however these efforts fell aside amid disagreements over Ukraine’s neutrality, army limits, and the standing of Russian-occupied areas.
Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv and Western allies of derailing these talks.
Zelenskyy, throughout a press convention in Kyiv alongside the visiting European leaders, welcomed their presence, calling it “a vital sign.”
A joint assertion from the 5 leaders, posted on Zelenskyy’s official web site, referred to as for a ceasefire “lasting at the very least 30 days” beginning Monday to allow diplomatic progress.
“An unconditional ceasefire by definition can’t be topic to any circumstances. If Russia requires such circumstances, this could solely be thought of as an effort to extend the battle and undermine diplomacy,” the assertion learn.
(With inputs from AP)
