Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed his readiness for direct talks with Russia, contingent upon a complete ceasefire. His comments follow a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume negotiations in Istanbul, beginning Thursday, May 15, 2025. Zelenskyy is expected to travel to Istanbul for peace talks with Putin, signaling a potential diplomatic breakthrough. His response, while seemingly hopeful, reflects a cautious approach, emphasizing the need for a long-term cessation of hostilities before meaningful dialogue can take place.
Zelenskyy described Putin’s proposal as a “good sign,” interpreting it as a step toward ending the ongoing conflict. According to France24 Zelenskyy Said, “It’s a good sign that the Russians are finally thinking about ending the war. Everyone in the world has been expecting this for a long time. And the very first step in a real end to any war is a ceasefire.” He further stressed that Ukraine’s willingness to engage in direct talks hinged on the assurance of a ceasefire, with the Ukrainian leader indicating that the ceasefire must be “complete, long-term and reliable,” and hoped that this could begin as early as May 12.
The demand for a full ceasefire aligns with Zelenskyy’s broader stance on negotiations, which have consistently emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution that does not come at the cost of Ukrainian lives. He firmly rejected any notion of continuing hostilities even for another day, underscoring the human toll the war has inflicted on Ukraine.
On the other hand, the Russian government, led by President Putin, has emphasized the need to address the root causes of the conflict before agreeing to a long-term ceasefire. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded to Ukraine’s reaction, suggesting that Kyiv had misunderstood the proposal.”Judging by Bankova’s reaction, the transcript of the Russian president’s statement was poorly read, as were hundreds and hundreds of comments from world political figures and media publications in support of him,” Zakharova remarked, criticizing Zelenskyy’s response, according to Pravda.
Russian lawmakers, such as Senator Andrei Klishas, have also endorsed Putin’s proposal, with Klishas asserting that Russia is in a strong position both militarily and diplomatically. The initiative, both in the military and diplomatic areas, is entirely on Russia’s side, Klishas remarked. Konstantin Kosachev, another Russian senator, pointed out that a ceasefire is in Ukraine’s interest as it would allow them to regroup and continue the conflict. In contrast, Putin’s approach, he argued, would pave the way for a peaceful resolution.
The Turkish government has expressed strong support for the peace initiative, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offering to mediate between the warring nations. Erdogan, who recently spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, has reiterated Turkey’s readiness to provide the Istanbul platform for direct negotiations. Erdogan’s diplomatic efforts aim to facilitate dialogue that could lead to a sustainable peace agreement.
The Turkish side has been in direct communication with Russia, with both Putin and Erdogan agreeing on the importance of achieving peace through negotiations. The Turkish president emphasized that his country would provide “all possible assistance in organizing and conducting negotiations aimed at achieving sustainable peace,” according to RBC.
In the West, responses to Russia’s peace proposal have been mixed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged that Russia’s willingness to negotiate was a positive development, but he stressed that it was not enough. “First, the guns must fall silent, and only then can discussions begin,” Merz stated, echoing the need for a ceasefire before substantive talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron was more skeptical, calling Putin’s initiative “an insufficient step.” Macron argued that an unconditional ceasefire should be the prerequisite for any negotiations, rather than a subject of further debate, according to media.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump did not take a definitive stance on the Russian proposal, although he expressed hope that the situation could lead to a “completely new and much better world.” Trump’s remarks reflect the complex geopolitical balancing act that the US continues to maintain regarding the conflict.
On the international stage, there have been voices urging Ukraine to engage in direct negotiations. Bolivian MP Jerges Mercado expressed his support for Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s initiative, suggesting that it could help bring peace to the region. Former Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuña also commended Russia’s efforts, calling on the global community to play a more active role in facilitating talks.
