President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded to Russian leader Vladimir Putin by saying he would attend the Istanbul talks in person on Thursday, expecting Putin to do the same.
Zelensky’s comments came after Putin proposed direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Turkey on Thursday, May 15, after the West, alongside Kyiv, issued a ceasefire ultimatum that called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday.
Zelensky said initially that Kyiv will join the talks only if there is a ceasefire but later said he would go regardless.
Zelensky, in an earlier Sunday statement on X, said Putin’s proposal is a “positive sign” but added that Ukraine is ready to talk if Russia accepts the ceasefire, which Putin ignored in his statements.
“It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire,” Zelensky said.
“There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet,” he added.
Zelensky later issued multiple updates on Sunday evening, adding that he would go to Turkey for the meeting in person regardless of whether there will be a ceasefire on Monday, but maintained that the 30-day ceasefire proposal still stands.
“And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” he said in one update.
“Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire – this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer,” he said in another update.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called Putin’s offer “a good sign” but “far from sufficient,” according to AFP.
“We expect Moscow to agree to a ceasefire that allows real talks to take place. First the weapons must be silenced, then the discussions can begin,” Merz said in a statement.
Merz’s remarks echoed those from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said Putin’s offer is a “first step” but “not enough.”
“An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations,” Macron told reporters, as reported earlier by Kyiv Post.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump viewed Putin’s offer with cautious optimism, calling it “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine.”
Trump later issued another Truth Social update and said Kyiv should “immediately” agree to the talks to “know where everything stands” so its allies can “proceed accordingly.”
“Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!” Trump said.
Past ceasefire attempts
Earlier ceasefire agreements with Moscow have all fallen apart – or rather, never came to fruition.
Following the US-brokered Saudi talks in March, Kyiv and Moscow had ostensibly agreed to brief, limited ceasefires on the Black Sea and energy infrastructure. However, Moscow later issued additional conditions on the Black Sea ceasefire, effectively leaving no deal in place.
As for the energy ceasefire, the different interpretations of the agreement, with no monitoring mechanism, meant it never came to fruition.
After which Moscow proposed two unilateral ceasefires – once during Easter, and another during Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations. Both of which were violated by Russian attacks.