Putin Proposes Direct Talks With Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine scheduled for May 15 in Istanbul. He said these talks aim to bring lasting peace and to address the root causes of the war.
In February 2022, Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine, sparking a conflict that has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths among soldiers. This war has also marked the most serious confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
Putin emphasized that Russia wants to resume direct talks without any preconditions. “We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions,” he said early Sunday from the Kremlin. “We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.”
Despite pressure from US President Donald Trump and warnings from European countries, Putin has made few concessions to end the fighting. He plans to speak later with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan about helping facilitate the talks, which could lead to a ceasefire.
“Our proposal, as they say, is on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who seem to be guided by personal political ambitions rather than the interests of their peoples,” Putin added.
Conflicting Views on Ceasefire Efforts
So far, Kyiv has not responded immediately to the proposal. Putin said Russia has suggested several ceasefires, including a pause on striking energy facilities, an Easter ceasefire, and a recent 72-hour truce during World War Two victory celebrations. However, he accused Ukraine of repeatedly violating these agreements.
During the recent ceasefire in May, Putin claimed Ukraine launched 524 aerial drones, 45 sea drones, and several Western missiles against Russia. He also said Russia successfully repelled five attacks on its regions.
On the other hand, Ukraine has accused Russia of breaking its own ceasefires repeatedly. Along with major European powers, Ukraine has demanded that Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face new “massive” sanctions. Putin dismissed these demands, calling them “ultimatums.”
Putin’s Conditions for Peace
Putin has remained firm on his conditions for ending the war. In June 2024, he said Ukraine must officially abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from four Ukrainian regions that Russia claims.
Russian officials have also asked the United States to recognize Russia’s control over about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. They demand Ukraine remain neutral, although Moscow says it does not oppose Kyiv’s desire to join the European Union.
Putin referred to a 2022 draft deal negotiated shortly after the invasion. This deal proposed Ukraine’s permanent neutrality in exchange for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US.
“It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv,” Putin said. “Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions.”
He also thanked countries like China, Brazil, and those in Africa and the Middle East, as well as the United States, for their efforts to mediate the conflict.
International Reactions and the Bigger Picture
Former US President Joe Biden, Western European leaders, and Ukraine see the invasion as an imperialistic land grab and vow to defeat Russian forces.
Putin describes the war as a defining moment in Russia’s relations with the West. He argues that after the Soviet Union fell in 1991, NATO expanded and encroached on what Russia considers its sphere of influence, including Ukraine, humiliating Moscow.
The proposal for direct talks with Ukraine may open a new chapter in this ongoing conflict, but much depends on Kyiv’s response and whether both sides can agree on terms to end the fighting.