Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, aiming to establish lasting peace and address the root causes of the war.
Putin, whose invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked the ongoing conflict, stated that Russia’s goal was not merely a temporary ceasefire but a genuine resolution. He suggested negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow without preconditions, with Istanbul as the venue for the talks.
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Despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, Putin has made few concessions to end the war. He announced plans to discuss the possibility of facilitating the peace talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Putin also emphasized that the decision to engage in talks now lies with Ukraine and its allies, whom he accused of prioritizing political ambitions over the well-being of their people.
Putin noted that Russia had previously proposed multiple ceasefires, including a moratorium on strikes against energy facilities, a ceasefire during Easter, and a 72-hour truce during World War Two victory celebrations. However, he claimed Ukraine violated these agreements by launching numerous drone and missile attacks on Russian territory. Ukraine, in turn, accused Russia of breaching its own ceasefire commitments and demanded an unconditional 30-day truce or the imposition of severe sanctions.
