Putin Rejects Ceasefire Call, Proposes Direct Peace Talks with Ukraine
KYIV - Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed calls for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Instead, he offered to hold direct peace talks, potentially in Istanbul on May 15, without any preconditions. Speaking during a late-night briefing on May 11, Putin proposed to resume negotiations that had taken place between Russia and Ukraine in April 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion began on February 24. "We are determined to have serious negotiations to eliminate the root causes of the conflict," Putin stated, reflecting his long-standing position against Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO and insisting that Kyiv remains neutral.
Putin began his comments at 1:38 AM in the Kremlin, celebrating Moscow’s Victory Day events that commemorate the end of World War II before addressing the Ukraine war. Earlier in Kyiv, however, the leaders of Germany, France, Poland, and the UK joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in advocating for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, warning that Moscow would face significant new sanctions if it rejected the proposed truce. The leaders suggested that the ceasefire should commence on May 12.
In his remarks, Putin did not mention the ceasefire call made by the European leaders. Their proposal emerged after a meeting in Kyiv on May 10, where Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Zelenskyy, and leaders Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk expressed unified support for a truce. Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting, "If he is serious about peace, then he has a chance to show it. No more ifs and buts, no more conditions and delays. If he turns his back on peace, we will respond."
He confirmed that the plan was for the ceasefire to start on May 12. According to a report by The New York Times, an unidentified senior U.S. official indicated that Trump endorsed the European leaders' call for new sanctions if a ceasefire was not enacted by that date. Macron added, "We have just now decided to support a ceasefire which will begin May 12 without any preconditions."
Prior to their visit, the four European leaders expressed their solidarity with Ukraine against Russia's ongoing invasion, characterizing it as barbaric and illegal as the conflict stretches into its fourth year. In a collective statement, they reiterated support for Trump's call for a resolution to the conflict and urged Russia to refrain from obstructing peace efforts.
Throughout his briefing, Putin accused Kyiv of violating prior ceasefire agreements, including one he proposed for May 8-10 during the Victory Day celebrations. Despite this, Russia continued its attacks on Ukrainian forces and civilian infrastructure, with Kyiv stating it would honor a ceasefire only if Russia complied but also expressing a desire for a longer truce lasting at least 30 days.
In a striking twist, Putin praised the involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict, claiming they have helped to combat Ukrainian forces, particularly after an incursion into Russia's Kursk region. Following setbacks, Moscow has sought additional manpower and resources from North Korea, which has seen approximately 11,000 troops dispatched to support Russian forces. Putin acknowledged the success of these troops in pushing back Ukrainian forces from Kursk – a region the Ukrainians infiltrated last summer, causing embarrassment for the Kremlin.
Putin's remarks reflect his view that previous negotiations were hampered by Ukraine's unwillingness to engage, framing Kyiv's withdrawal from talks in April 2022 as a significant mistake. This continued emphasis on past grievances suggests that the road ahead for peace remains fraught with challenges.
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