Russian President Vladimir Putin announced overnight on May 10–11 that Russia is ready to resume direct peace talks with Ukraine, starting Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey. His statement followed international meetings marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II, RBC.ru reported.
“We propose to start without delay, as early as next Thursday, on May 15, in Istanbul—the place where negotiations broke off in 2022,” Putin said. He emphasized that Moscow is ready to engage in talks without preconditions.
According to Putin, the goal of the talks would be to “eliminate the root causes of the conflict” and secure a lasting peace. “We are open to serious negotiations with Ukraine. We do not exclude the possibility of agreeing to a new ceasefire—but a real one, not merely symbolic,” he added.
Putin also noted he would speak with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to request the organization of the meeting. However, he acknowledged that the final decision rests with Kyiv.
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On May 10, leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland met in Kyiv under the so-called “coalition of the willing.” They supported a 30-day truce starting May 12 and warned Russia of new sanctions should it refuse to cooperate.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow’s openness to unconditional talks but rejected what he called Western coercion. “Attempts to impose a timetable through pressure are futile,” he told CNN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted positively on Sunday morning, calling Putin’s proposal “a positive sign” but stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire.
“It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally started to consider ending the war. The world has been waiting for this for a long time,” Zelensky said. “The first step toward peace is a ceasefire. Ukraine is ready to abide by a full, lasting, and verifiable ceasefire starting May 12.”
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the developments in a Truth Social post, calling it a “big week” for Russia and Ukraine.
“Could be great days for Russia and Ukraine! Let’s hope the fighting stops and hundreds of thousands of lives are saved. We are starting a BIG week!” Trump wrote. He reiterated U.S. support for a negotiated solution and said he encourages both sides to reach a deal. “It will be a whole new world, much better than before. The U.S. will prioritize reconstruction and trade, not conflict,” he added.
Trump had previously endorsed a temporary truce as a step toward a broader peace agreement. He warned that a Russian refusal could trigger further economic sanctions from the U.S. and its European allies.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine collapsed in May 2022 following the release of images from Bucha, which Moscow dismissed as “provocations.” The Kremlin has accused the West of pressuring Kyiv to abandon the Istanbul agreement signed that year.
If resumed, the negotiations would mark a significant turning point in the war that began in February 2022, which has caused widespread destruction, massive loss of life, and a deep humanitarian crisis across Eastern Europe.