Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, offering to negotiate “without preconditions” in an effort to end over three years of war.
The proposal follows a joint appeal from the leaders of Ukraine, the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, who earlier called for an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to begin on Monday.
Putin stated that the purpose of the talks would be to address the “root causes” of the conflict and explore the potential for a new ceasefire agreement. He referenced the failed negotiations in Istanbul in 2022, claiming, “It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv,” and urged Ukraine to return to the table.
He emphasized that his proposal was made independently of the recent European ceasefire demand, which he dismissed as “ultimatums” driven by “anti-Russian rhetoric.”
European leaders, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, warned that Moscow could face severe sanctions if it refuses to participate in the ceasefire initiative.
Ukraine has not officially responded to Putin’s offer, though President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously maintained that any talks must be preceded by a full ceasefire.
Russia is under increasing international pressure, including from Trump, who is seeking to position himself as a mediator ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Putin also noted he would consult with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to facilitate the proposed negotiations.
Despite diplomatic efforts, both sides continue to trade accusations of ceasefire violations, raising doubts about the prospects for a sustained truce.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, becoming the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II.
