MOSCOW, May 11 – In a surprising and unprecedented move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed direct peace negotiations with Ukraine, offering to hold talks in Istanbul without any preconditions. This initiative marks the most significant overture toward peace since the war began over three years ago in February 2022.
Putin’s announcement came early Sunday morning in a televised statement from the Kremlin, where he said, “We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions.” He further suggested that talks could begin as soon as Thursday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with the aim of achieving a sustainable resolution to the conflict that has caused immeasurable destruction and loss of life across Ukraine.
The war, which erupted when Russian forces invaded Ukrainian territory in 2022, has since turned into one of the deadliest confrontations in Europe since World War II. It has not only left hundreds of thousands of soldiers dead or wounded but also dragged the world into a geopolitical standoff not seen since the Cold War.
Kyiv Responds with Conditions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded to the offer cautiously but positively, signaling that Ukraine remains open to negotiations—on one key condition: a verified and lasting ceasefire. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskiy emphasized that while Putin’s message is a welcome shift, the prerequisite for any real dialogue must be an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine anticipates Russia to commit to a complete, enduring, and trustworthy ceasefire beginning on May 12. “Ukraine is ready to meet, but peace cannot begin without silence on the battlefield.”
This response echoes a long-held stance by Kyiv that real negotiations can only happen under peaceful conditions, where Ukrainian cities are not under threat from missiles or drone attacks.
Mixed Global Reactions
The global reaction to Putin’s unexpected proposal was swift. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has consistently claimed he could end the war quickly if reelected, called it a potentially historic day.
“A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “Just imagine the countless lives that could be spared if this devastating conflict were to finally come to an end.”
Meanwhile, European leaders, who were present in Kyiv just a day before the announcement, had demanded an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and threatened Russia with further sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron offered a mixed assessment of the Russian proposal, suggesting it could be an attempt to stall rather than a sincere effort to negotiate.
“It’s a first step, but it’s not enough,” Macron said. “True peace cannot be built on tactical pauses or vague promises. An unconditional ceasefire should not come after negotiations—it should be the start of them.”
Tensions Continue Despite Peace Offer
Even with discussions being proposed, the fighting on the ground showed no signs of stopping. Ukrainian officials reported a drone assault on Kyiv and surrounding areas on Sunday morning. The attack injured at least one person and damaged several private homes. Ukrainian forces also alleged that Russia had violated a previously declared truce from May 8 to 10, during World War II Victory Day commemorations.
Putin acknowledged that temporary ceasefires had been proposed before, including those for Easter and the recent May celebrations. However, he accused Ukraine of taking advantage of these pauses to conduct attacks, citing drone strikes and missile launches during the temporary lull.
He also noted that Russia had repelled multiple offensives on its regions during this time and that any future ceasefire must be respected by both sides to lay the groundwork for long-term peace.
Root Causes and Future Talks
Putin stated that the proposed Istanbul talks should go beyond simply silencing the guns. He emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict, which he attributes to NATO expansion and what he considers Western interference in Russia’s traditional sphere of influence.
“Russia is ready to negotiate without any preconditions,” Putin reiterated, adding that the time had come to move toward a durable and comprehensive peace. He mentioned a 2022 draft agreement negotiated shortly after the war began, which would have declared Ukraine a permanently neutral country in exchange for security guarantees from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
That deal ultimately collapsed, and Putin now blames Ukraine for walking away from the negotiating table. He expressed hope that renewed efforts—potentially with the mediation of United States, Turkey, China, Brazil, and African or Middle Eastern nations—could bring both sides back to serious dialogue.
The Russian leader also underscored his willingness to discuss a new ceasefire framework during the proposed Istanbul talks and noted he would be speaking with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan soon to finalize logistics for the negotiations.
A Fragile Opportunity for Peace
With Russian troops controlling roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory and ongoing advances in the east, any peace deal would be extremely complex and politically sensitive. In 2024, Putin laid out conditions for ending the war, including Ukraine dropping its NATO aspirations and ceding control over four regions now claimed by Russia. These demands remain deeply unacceptable to Kyiv and its Western backers.
Nonetheless, the proposal represents a rare moment of potential dialogue after years of war, deadlock, and destruction. Whether this will lead to a meaningful ceasefire or is merely a strategic move by Moscow to relieve international pressure remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that both sides are now openly acknowledging the possibility of diplomacy—however fragile and fraught the path ahead may be.