Russian President Putin proposes direct peace talks with Ukraine to end war
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a significant proposal on Sunday, suggesting direct talks with Ukrainian officials in order to bring an end to the ongoing war that began with Moscow’s invasion in 2022. Putin expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkey, without any preconditions and with the ultimate goal of achieving lasting peace.
In a televised statement, Putin stated, “We are proposing that Kyiv resume direct negotiations without any preconditions. We offer the Kyiv authorities to resume negotiations already on Thursday, in Istanbul.” He emphasized that the talks should address the root causes of the conflict and mentioned that he would be discussing the matter with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan to facilitate the negotiations, which could potentially lead to a ceasefire.
This proposal was met with optimism by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed Kyiv’s readiness to negotiate but stressed that Moscow must agree to a ceasefire. Zelenskyy stated, “It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war. The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.”
U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, highlighting the potential for saving hundreds of thousands of lives if the conflict were to come to an end. Trump expressed his commitment to working with both sides to facilitate a resolution and underscored the importance of focusing on rebuilding and trade in the aftermath of the war.
Despite Putin’s proposal for direct talks, Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine on Sunday, causing damage and injuries. The Russian leader has maintained certain conditions for ending the war, including Ukraine’s withdrawal from regions claimed by Russia and the abandonment of NATO aspirations.
Putin also referenced a draft deal negotiated between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, which suggested Ukraine’s permanent neutrality in exchange for international security guarantees from major world powers. He emphasized that Russia is ready to negotiate without preconditions and expressed gratitude to various countries for their efforts in mediating the conflict.
Overall, Putin’s proposal for direct talks represents a potential step towards achieving peace in the region. The willingness of both sides to engage in negotiations and work towards a ceasefire is crucial in ending the bloodshed and establishing a sustainable peace agreement. It remains to be seen how the negotiations will unfold and whether a resolution can be reached to bring an end to the devastating conflict.
