Russia's Putin calls for direct peace talks with Ukraine to end war

Russias Putin calls for direct peace talks with Ukraine to end the war — Russian President Vladimir Putin, May 2025. Photo: RIA Novosti/kremlin.ru

MOSCOW,— Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine, suggesting a May 15 meeting in Istanbul aimed at securing a long-term peace agreement. The initiative was welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking from the Kremlin in a late-night statement, Putin said the goal of the talks would be to resolve the root causes of the conflict rather than to establish a short-term ceasefire.

“We are proposing that Kyiv return to negotiations with no preconditions,” Putin said. “We suggest May 15, in Istanbul.”

Putin added he would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss arrangements. He said the talks could lead to a ceasefire if Ukraine agrees to participate.

“Our proposal is on the table,” Putin stated. “Now it is up to the Ukrainian leadership and their patrons, who seem more interested in political gain than in the wellbeing of their citizens.”

There has been no immediate comment from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration or the foreign ministry.

President Trump praised Putin’s offer in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing: “A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine! Think of the lives saved if this endless bloodshed finally ends.”

The announcement came shortly after European leaders in Kyiv demanded an immediate 30-day ceasefire from Russia and threatened new sanctions.

Putin rejected what he called Western ultimatums, asserting that Russia had already proposed several temporary truces, including one during Orthodox Easter and another for Victory Day commemorations.

Despite the call for peace talks, Ukrainian officials reported Russian drone strikes on Sunday that hit Kyiv and nearby areas, injuring one person and damaging several homes.

Putin said further truce agreements could be possible during the proposed Istanbul talks as a first step toward a broader peace arrangement.

He reiterated Russia’s longstanding conditions for ending the war, including Ukraine renouncing NATO membership and withdrawing troops from four regions Russia claims as its own.

Putin also referenced a 2022 draft agreement discussed in the early months of the war. Under that draft, Ukraine would adopt permanent neutrality and receive international security guarantees from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council — Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

“It was not Moscow that walked away from those negotiations,” Putin said. “Russia remains willing to talk, without preconditions.”

He thanked countries including China, Brazil, and several African and Middle Eastern nations for supporting mediation efforts.

Trump also reaffirmed his commitment to ending the war, saying in his post: “I will continue to work with both parties. The USA must now prioritize rebuilding and trade. Big week ahead!”

Western governments and Ukraine have continued to portray Russia’s 2022 invasion as an illegal attempt to seize land by force, while Putin has framed the conflict as a response to decades of NATO expansion near Russian borders.

(With files from Reuters)