Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct talks with Ukraine to end the ongoing war, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that any negotiations must be preceded by a ceasefire.
Putin’s proposal, made on Sunday, May 11, at 1:30 AM, comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing for a 30-day ceasefire. Putin suggested that talks could take place in Istanbul on May 15. Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin aide, said any discussions would need to consider the 2022 peace draft and current territorial realities. This implies Ukraine would have to accept Russia’s control over eastern territories and commit to permanent neutrality.
Zelenskyy responded cautiously, stating that Ukraine is willing to talk, but only after a “full, lasting, and credible” ceasefire is in place. He sees Putin’s proposal as a positive sign that Russia is finally considering ending the war.
Key Conditions for Talks
The proposed talks in Istanbul could be a crucial step toward a lasting peace agreement. Key issues to be discussed include:
- Ceasefire terms
- Territorial control
- Ukraine’s neutrality
- Security guarantees
Putin believes that negotiations could lead to new ceasefire or peace agreements. Zelenskyy’s conditions for talks highlight the challenges ahead in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
The source of this information is Channel News Asia.