On Sunday, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s willingness to restart direct negotiations with Ukraine to end the ongoing war, proposing that talks begin on May 15 in Turkey. He expressed hope for a conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that day, stating Russia would impose no preconditions. Putin criticized Ukraine for previously walking away from negotiations and violating ceasefire agreements, while acknowledging mutual blame for conflicts during the last three ceasefires.
His remarks coincided with the conclusion of a three-day ceasefire declared by Russia and followed threats from leaders of the UK, France, Poland, and Germany to impose increased sanctions on Russia if it did not agree to an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire beginning Monday. These leaders, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met at a memorial in Kyiv and voiced their support for the ceasefire in a press briefing featuring representatives from over 30 nations. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly supported this proposal during a phone conversation with the leaders.
The ceasefire seeks to halt hostilities across land, sea, and air, strengthening efforts to persuade Moscow to agree to peace talks after more than three years of conflict. Retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, a former envoy to Ukraine, emphasized the potential for the ceasefire to initiate a resolution to the war, which he called the largest and longest in Europe since World War II, recalling Trump’s call to “stop the killing now.” Putin had previously demanded Ukraine’s withdrawal from several regions annexed by Russia and insisted that Ukraine commit to never joining NATO or restricting its military size.
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