On May 11, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15 for peace talks but said that it would be preconditioned on a full and lasting ceasefire on May 12. Zelensky wrote on X, “We are waiting for a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to create the situation where diplomacy can operate. There is no reason to prolong these killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye, personally. I hope that Russians this time are not going to be looking for excuses.” He added that a ceasefire was the necessary first step to halt the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he is ready to resume direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15 “without preconditions.” Putin said that a ceasefire could be negotiated during the direct talks but made it clear that Russia was looking for a ceasefire that would create “lasting peace” rather than a ceasefire which would allow Ukraine to regroup its troops and rearm. Putin also accused Ukraine of breaching the three day ceasefire he unilaterally declared for the Victory Day commemorations, asserting that Ukraine conducted cross border attacks into Belarus’ Belgorod and Kursk regions while the ceasefire was in effect. Although on the other foot, Ukrainian officials stated Russian artillery would continue to strike civilian areas and a few frontline sections throughout the ceasefire.
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On May 10, the leaders of four major European countries met in Kyiv with Zelensky British Prime Minister Keir Starmer; French President Emmanuel Macron; German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and made a unified call for a 30-day ceasefire beginning May 12. This plan has the endorsement of the EU and U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. President Donald Trump even went as far as to urge Ukraine to accept Russia’s proposal for direct talks “IMMEDIATELY” on May 11, and criticized Ukraine for prolonging the war. However, European leaders like British Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson are rejecting Putin’s proposal because Russia’s conditions during ceasefire negotiations include maximalist extractor terms such as the annexation of four Ukrainian territories.
At this point, Ukraine and Russia are at an impasse concerning the ceasefire and surrender talks. Zelensky states he is willing to meet Putin in Istanbul but that a ceasefire is a prerequisite. Putin wants to engage in direct negotiations without any preconditions, but he is against the 30-day ceasefire plan encouraged by the West. The U.S. and Europe are supporting Ukraine’s 30-day ceasefire plan but are also urging that both sides engage in talks. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected in the coming days.
