On Sunday, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s readiness to resume direct talks with Ukraine to end the ongoing war, proposing that discussions take place in Turkey on May 15 without preconditions. Despite past criticisms of Ukraine for abandoning talks and violating ceasefire agreements, Putin expressed a desire for serious negotiations that would lead to lasting peace.
His statement coincided with the final day of a three-day Russian ceasefire and followed threats from leaders of the UK, France, Poland, and Germany to impose further sanctions on Russia if an unconditional 30-day ceasefire is not accepted, starting Monday. These leaders, along with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, united in a call for a cessation of hostilities, with over 30 nations pledging support for Ukraine’s efforts.
The proposed ceasefire is intended to halt fighting across all fronts, aiming to facilitate peace talks after more than three years of conflict. Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Donald Trump’s former special envoy to Ukraine, underscored the significance of such a truce in potentially ending one of the longest wars in European history, quoting Trump’s directive to “stop the killing now.”
Putin previously demanded Ukraine’s withdrawal from the four regions—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—that Russia annexed, as well as assurances that Ukraine would not join NATO and would maintain Russian language and culture. While asserting that Russia possesses the resources to continue the conflict, he also expressed hope that there would be no need for nuclear weapon use. The international response indicates a strong push for peace amid the ongoing crisis.
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