Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine Thursday in Istanbul as “massive” sanctions loom
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Turkey that he said should be aimed at bringing a durable peace, a day after European powers, backed by the United States, demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Moscow or face “massive” new sanctions.
The Russian leader, who has offered few concessions towards ending the conflict so far, said the talks in the Turkish city of Istanbul will be aimed at eliminating the root causes of the war and restoring a “long-term, lasting peace” rather than simply a pause for rearmament.
“We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions,” Putin said from the Kremlin in the early hours of Sunday. “We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.”
Putin said that he would speak to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan later on Sunday about facilitating the talks, which he said 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 are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples.”
The Russian president added that he does not rule out that during his proposed talks in Turkey both sides will agree on “some new truces, a new ceasefire,” but one that would be the first step towards a “sustainable” peace.
In a message on the social network Truth Social, US President Donald Trump hailed Putin’s proposal as positive for ending the war.
“A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!” Trump said. “Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end.”
“I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens,” Trump added. “The USA wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!”
In the meantime, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov added that the peace talks will take into account the situation on the ground as well as the negotiations of 2022, Interfax news agency reported.
Under the 2022 draft deal, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
“It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv,” Putin said. “Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions.”
Thursday in Turkey will also see the second day of an informal meeting of NATO member states in the city of Antalya, intended to advance consultations ahead of the NATO leaders’ summit set for June 24–25 in The Hague.
On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan joined the coalition of the willing call and emphasised Turkey’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity, according to a Turkish foreign ministry source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Fidan voiced Ankara’s support for the efforts for the unconditional ceasefire and added that Turkey was ready to undertake the duty of observing the ceasefire in Ukraine if it is established, the source said.
NATO member Turkey has maintained cordial ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since the war erupted in 2022. It has voiced support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and provided it with military help, while opposing sanctions on Russia.
