President Vladimir Putin of Russia announced his country’s readiness to resume direct peace talks with Ukraine, suggesting a meeting in Turkey on May 15 without any preconditions from Russia. He emphasized the importance of serious discussions aimed at establishing long-term peace, while also blaming Ukraine for previously walking away from negotiations and breaking ceasefire agreements.
Putin’s remarks followed a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia and coincided with a summit of leaders from the UK, France, Poland, and Germany, who urged an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, warning of heightened sanctions if Russia does not comply. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, alongside leaders such as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighted this demand during a news briefing after commemorating fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv.
U.S. President Donald Trump also supported the ceasefire proposal, as indicated by discussions with the European leaders. The ceasefire aims to halt all fighting—land, sea, and air—and is seen as a pivotal step towards facilitating peace talks after more than three years of conflict. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy, noted that this ceasefire could initiate the process to end the ongoing war, underscoring Trump’s call to “stop the killing now.”
Meanwhile, Putin reiterated his demands for Ukraine, including the withdrawal from illegally annexed regions and a pledge to refrain from joining NATO, while insisting on cultural protections for Russian speakers in Ukraine. Despite declaring that Russia has the capability to continue the conflict, he expressed hope that nuclear weapons would not be necessary.
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