Ukraine says Russia must agree to ceasefire before any talks
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The news: President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine will meet for talks with Russia only once Vladimir Putin agrees to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.
The context: Posting on X on Sunday, Zelensky said “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war,” and that “We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12th, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”
On Saturday evening Putin had proposed direct talks with Ukraine on 15 May to be held in Istanbul, but he did not address the ultimatum tabled by Western countries that Russia must move forward with the temporary truce or suffer new sanctions.
Putin said that the direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul would be an attempt to "eliminate the root causes of the conflict" and "to achieve the restoration of a long-term, lasting peace" rather than simply a pause for rearmament.
"We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions," Putin said from the Kremlin. "We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul."
European leaders met with Zelensky on Saturday in Kyiv to discuss a ceasefire plan, calling US President Donald Trump after the meeting to brief him on their position. "Ukraine and all allies are ready for a full unconditional ceasefire on land, air, and at sea for at least 30 days starting already on Monday," said Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha.
Sources told Axios that the leaders stressed to Trump that if Putin refuses the 30-day ceasefire, European countries will impose new sanctions on Russia. Trump seemed satisfied that Ukraine embraced the ceasefire and was open to direct negotiations with Russia.
Late last week Trump called for a 30-day ceasefire between the warring nations which Ukraine immediately agreed to, but Russia has yet to give a clear answer. Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the side that does not agree to the ceasefire.
The sources: Zelensky X post, Reuters, Axios
