Putin Proposes Direct Talks with Kyiv Amid Ongoing Tensions
In a recent address, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to engage in "direct talks" with Ukraine, suggesting Istanbul as the venue for negotiations on Thursday, May 15. This announcement came without a response to Ukraine and its Western allies’ proposal for a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had championed with support from European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Putin emphasized the need for these discussions to occur "without preconditions." Previously, Moscow indicated it would only consider a ceasefire if certain conditions were met, including the complete halt of Western military support to Ukraine. In a related development, the Kremlin unilaterally declared a temporary ceasefire around the May 9 Victory Day celebrations, lasting from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11. However, fighting reportedly persisted throughout this period, with both sides blaming each other for the continued hostilities.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the truce, labeling it a "farce" as reports emerged of ongoing Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians and frontline positions. Meanwhile, Putin accused Ukraine of intensifying hostilities in the lead-up to the declared ceasefire. He alleged that Ukraine had violated the temporary truce through several cross-border incursions into Russian territories, although he dismissed these actions as lacking military significance.
As the situation remains tense, the prospect of resuming dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv hangs in the balance, raising questions about future peace efforts amidst the ongoing conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, with Europe and the U.S. threatening to impose tougher sanctions should Russia reject the proposed ceasefire.
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