Putin calls for direct talks with Kyiv

Remains quiet on a 30-day ceasefire deal

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Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday proposed direct negotiations in the coming days to end the conflict in Ukraine but did not address a 30-day ceasefire proposal drawn up hours earlier by European allies of Kyiv, reportedly with backing from the United States.

Speaking at the Kremlin in the early hours of yesterday, President Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on Thursday — hours after Kyiv and the leaders of France, Germany, Britain and Poland had called for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to begin on Monday.

“We propose to the Kyiv authorities to resume the talks that they broke off in 2022, and, I emphasise, without any preconditions,” said President Putin.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators held direct talks in Istanbul during the first weeks of the conflict, but failed to agree a halt to the fighting, which has continued ever since.

“We propose to start [negotiations] without delay on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul,” he added, noting that he would speak to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shortly to request his assistance in facilitating the talks.

President Putin stated that he was “committed to serious negotiations with Ukraine” and that he sought talks that would “eliminate the root causes of the conflict and establish a long-lasting peace”.

Russia’s references to the “root causes” of the war typically allude to grievances with Kyiv and the West that Moscow cites as justification for launching its invasion in February 2022.

'ANTI-RUSSIAN RHETORIC'