Zelenskyy Proposes Ceasefire Ahead of Talks with Putin in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his readiness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15. However, he has insisted on the implementation of a ceasefire backed by European allies to begin on May 12, a request that Moscow has yet to acknowledge. "Starting tomorrow we await a ceasefire," Zelenskyy stated on social media on May 11. "This proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia."
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is fully open to negotiations and ready for any format of dialogue. "I will be in Turkey on Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Turkey as well," he added. The likelihood of the proposed ceasefire on May 12 and the subsequent discussions in Istanbul remained uncertain as of late May 11.
These comments emerged in light of statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who appeared to overlook calls from Kyiv and leading European allies for a ceasefire. Trump suggested that Ukraine should immediately engage in direct talks with Russia to end the ongoing conflict. He made this assertion following Putin's proposal for direct dialogues with Kyiv in Turkey. On his Truth Social platform, Trump noted that Putin does not desire a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, preferring direct negotiations instead.
Trump further urged Ukraine to accept the invitation for talks with Russia, believing it would clarify whether a deal is feasible. He stated, "At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible and if it is not, European leaders and the U.S. will know where everything stands and can proceed accordingly."
Despite Trump's stance, Zelenskyy’s advisor, Andriy Yermak, underlined the necessity of an initial ceasefire. In response to Ukraine's calls for peace, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the notion of a ceasefire, suggesting that Kyiv has misinterpreted the Russian leadership's message. "First talks about the root causes, and then we can perhaps talk about a ceasefire," she asserted.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended an offer to host negotiations for a ceasefire and long-term peace between Russia and Ukraine. He highlighted the significance of this moment during a separate call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who emphasized that substantial progress is being made towards ending the war.
Following a meeting in Kyiv involving Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the prime ministers of Britain and Poland, a joint proposal for a ceasefire starting on May 12 was announced. They conveyed a stern warning to Moscow that failure to accept the ceasefire could result in severe new sanctions. Macron noted, "Putin's offer of direct talks is only a first step, but not enough," reinforcing the importance of an unconditional ceasefire before negotiations commence.
As tensions remain high, John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented that Putin seeks to maintain a delicate balance between appeasing Trump and refusing a ceasefire without significant concessions from Ukraine and the West. The responses from both the Russian and Ukrainian sides emphasize the complexities involved in reaching a durable peace agreement, as the war in Ukraine continues into its fourth year.
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