ussian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct negotiations with Ukraine to be held May 15 in Istanbul, signaling a potential shift in Moscow's posture after more than three years of war. The announcement came just hours after Kyiv and key European powers demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and warned of "massive" new sanctions if Russia did not comply.
"We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions," Putin said in a midnight statement from the Kremlin. "We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul."
Putin said the proposed talks were aimed at achieving "the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace" and not simply a pause for "rearmament." He stated that he would be speaking with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about facilitating the talks, which would mark the first such engagement since early 2022.
"There is a real opportunity to eliminate the root causes of the conflict," Putin said. "Our proposal, as they say, is on the table. The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their curators, who are guided, it seems, by their personal political ambitions, and not by the interests of their peoples."
The Kremlin's offer comes amid rising pressure from the United States and Europe. On Saturday, leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland called for a ceasefire to begin Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump has backed the effort, positioning himself as a potential broker of peace. "We are determined to have serious negotiations," Putin said, but did not directly acknowledge the 30-day ceasefire call.
Putin insisted it was Ukraine that broke off peace talks in 2022. Citing a draft deal discussed in Istanbul shortly after the invasion, he said, "It was not Russia that broke off negotiations in 2022. It was Kyiv." The draft agreement, a copy of which has circulated among diplomatic observers, would have seen Ukraine pledge neutrality in exchange for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Russia has made clear that any settlement must include Ukrainian withdrawal from territory claimed by Moscow and an end to Kyiv's NATO aspirations. Putin reiterated these conditions Sunday, referencing the June 2024 declaration that demanded Ukraine relinquish claims to the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Putin accused Ukraine of violating multiple past ceasefires, including one during the May World War II commemorations, during which he claimed Ukraine launched 524 aerial drones and 45 sea drones, along with missile strikes. "Russia has proposed several ceasefires, including a moratorium on striking energy facilities," Putin said. "These were met with continued attacks."
Kyiv and its Western backers have accused Russia of using ceasefire offers as cover to regroup and continue offensives. Ukrainian authorities did not immediately respond to Sunday's offer but had earlier demanded an unconditional cessation of hostilities.
Putin also expressed appreciation for mediation efforts by China, Brazil, and Middle Eastern states, while accusing the West of issuing "ultimatums" and promoting "anti-Russian rhetoric." He criticized European leaders for what he called attempts to "slap down ultimatums" and "continue war with Russia."
