Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul this coming Thursday, as Western leaders including the U.S. push Moscow to accept a 30-day ceasefire to end the ongoing three-year conflict.
In a rare late-night televised speech, Putin stated, “We are prepared to begin immediately—next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, the site of previous talks that were interrupted.” He insisted the discussions should proceed “without any preconditions.”
“We are committed to meaningful negotiations with Ukraine,” Putin added, emphasizing the goal is to “address the underlying causes of the conflict” and work toward “a long-lasting and stable peace.”
Putin’s offer followed a high-profile meeting in Kyiv, where the leaders of Germany, France, the UK, and Poland stood beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging Russia to commit to a ceasefire starting Monday—or face what French President Emmanuel Macron described as “severe sanctions.”
The ceasefire proposal reportedly has backing from the U.S., following a joint phone call with President Donald Trump.
Later that evening, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling it a “potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine,” and pledged to support the peace effort, noting the importance of preventing further loss of life in what he described as a “never-ending bloodbath.
Soon after European leaders pushed for a ceasefire, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by stating that Russia is “resistant to any kind of pressure.”
“Europe is openly confronting us,” Peskov said, while noting that President Putin supports the concept of a ceasefire “in general,” but that “many aspects” of the current proposal still need clarification. He did not specify what those issues are.
Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have not taken place since the early phase of Russia’s 2022 invasion. On Sunday, Putin indicated plans to consult with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding potential renewed talks with Kyiv.
Ukraine, along with its European allies and former U.S. President Donald Trump, has for weeks pushed for a 30-day ceasefire to begin immediately. While Russia has not outright rejected the idea, it maintains that certain “details” still require discussion before any formal commitment.
Putin rejected claims that Moscow is avoiding talks, saying the decision now rests with Ukraine’s leadership.
“There’s a chance these discussions could lead to a new ceasefire,” Putin said, while cautioning against turning the talks into a mere pause in fighting used by Ukraine to regroup and reinforce. He described the negotiations as a possible “first step toward a lasting peace,” rather than a pause before renewed military activity.
The Russian president has consistently emphasized the importance of addressing what he sees as the underlying causes of the war—chief among them, NATO’s expansion toward Russia’s borders.
On Thursday, Trump warned via Truth Social that if the ceasefire is broken, the U.S. and its allies would impose further sanctions on Moscow. His remarks suggested growing impatience with what he sees as Russian delays.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has prioritized ending the war in Ukraine. His administration has engaged extensively with Moscow, including multiple visits to Russia by his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and other senior-level meetings.
Despite offering concessions that would have been unimaginable a year ago, the Trump administration has yet to persuade Russia to accept the proposed 30-day ceasefire, intended as a first step toward a broader peace agreement.
Last month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Washington may pull out of the peace process if meaningful progress isn’t made. As a result, the U.S. has now joined its European partners in stepping up pressure on Moscow.
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