Russian President Vladimir Putin has ignored calls for a quick 30-day ceasefire in the war in Ukraine and has instead sought to hold direct and "unconditional" talks with Ukraine, possibly in Istanbul on May 15.
Putin, speaking to reporters at a midnight press conference in Moscow on May 11, said he was ready to "resume" peace talks that took place between Russia and Ukraine in April 2022 - just weeks after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
"We are determined to hold serious talks. Their goal is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict... and bring about a long-term, sustainable peace in a historical perspective," said Putin, who has often used such expressions to oppose Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO, as well as to emphasize his position that Kiev remain neutral.
Putin said he would soon speak to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ask for his help in mediating the talks in Istanbul.
"We do not rule out the possibility that, during these talks, we will reach some agreement on a new ceasefire," Putin added.
Ukraine, the United States or European leaders have not commented on Putin's request so far.
A few hours earlier in Kiev, the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and Britain joined President Volodymyr Zelensky to increase pressure for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, warning Moscow that it would face "massive" new sanctions if Putin did not accept the proposed ceasefire.
They said they agreed that the ceasefire would begin on May 12th.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British and Polish prime ministers Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk pledged that they are in Kiev to "support Ukraine against the barbaric and illegal occupation by Russia."
"So all of us here, along with the US, are calling on Putin. If he is serious about peace, then he has a chance to show that," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a press conference.
"There are no more ifs or buts, enough with conditions and delays," he added.
The New York Times quoted a senior US official, who asked to remain anonymous, as saying that Donald Trump supported the Europeans' proposal for new sanctions if the ceasefire does not take effect by May 12.
In a statement published on the British government's official website ahead of talks with President Zelensky in Kiev, they reiterated their support for United States President Donald Trump's call for a deal to end the war and called on Russia "to stop obstructing efforts to achieve a lasting peace."
Putin did not directly mention the call for a ceasefire by European leaders during his conference.
Many analysts have said that Putin is not interested in a quick ceasefire, as he believes he is winning the war and that time is on his side, which prompts him to drag out ceasefire talks rather than openly oppose them, so as not to anger US President Donald Trump.
Putin was referring to talks held in Istanbul in late March 2022, shortly after Russia realized its immediate invasion of Ukraine was failing. Kiev withdrew from the talks after being presented with an ultimatum. Today, Moscow is trying to portray Ukraine's withdrawal as a mistake and a lack of desire for talks./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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