Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for direct negotiations with Ukraine, proposing a meeting on May 15, just hours after European leaders appealed to Moscow for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

In a rare late-night address from the Kremlin, Putin said Russia was ready for “serious negotiations” aimed at securing a “lasting, strong peace.” He suggested Istanbul as the venue and said he would discuss the details with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The call for talks came shortly after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Kyiv alongside leaders from France, Germany, and Poland. 

Together, they urged Moscow to halt hostilities across air, land, and sea starting Monday. They also warned of sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors if Putin failed to agree.

Kyiv has yet to officially respond to the invitation.

Putin did not directly address the ceasefire demand but said he did not rule out the possibility of a new truce emerging from the proposed talks. 

He criticized temporary ceasefires as ineffective if used to rearm and regroup, stating, “Who needs peace like that?”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would consider the proposal but dismissed Western pressure as ineffective. He described European statements as “confrontational.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly backed the ceasefire plan and said he would continue working with both sides to make it happen.

Putin also accused Ukraine of ignoring previous ceasefire offers, including a recent 30-day halt and a brief truce in April. 

Despite a reduction in fighting, both sides had accused each other of violating the temporary pause.

Putin reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to resume direct talks “without any preconditions.”

Source: BBC

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