Moscow: US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to "immediately" initiate direct negotiations with Russia to end the ongoing conflict, bypassing Ukraine's insistence on a cease-fire before any such talks begin.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Trump's demand came on May 11, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion for direct discussions with Kyiv in Turkey. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the backing of European allies, had earlier called for a swift 30-day cease-fire. Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform that Putin is not in favor of a cease-fire but is open to direct negotiations to potentially end the conflict.
Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of halting the violence, expressing his expectation to meet Putin in Turkey on May 15. Trump's stance, which dismisses the cease-fire prerequisite, contrasts with his envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who had supported the cease-fire proposal, advocating for a 30-day halt in hostilities before any peace discussions.
During a press briefing in Moscow on May 11, Putin ignored the cease-fire appeal and offered to engage in direct peace talks with Kyiv, potentially in Istanbul on May 15, without preconditions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova clarified that Putin's priority is to address the conflict's root causes before considering a cease-fire.
Responding to Putin's proposal, Zelenskyy's adviser Andriy Yermak insisted on a cease-fire as the initial step towards peace, underscoring that it would signify Russia's willingness to end hostilities. Turkish President Erdogan has offered to facilitate negotiations for a cease-fire and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
In discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, Erdogan described the situation as a pivotal moment in the path to ending the war. Macron, alongside other European leaders, announced a cease-fire proposal starting May 12 after a meeting in Kyiv, warning Russia of severe sanctions if it rejected the truce. These leaders, including Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stressed the necessity of a cease-fire before negotiations.
The European leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Trump's call for a resolution to the war and urged Russia to cease obstructing peace efforts. John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted that Putin continues to balance placating Trump while resisting a cease-fire without significant concessions from Ukraine and the West.
Hardie highlighted the US president's critical decision: whether to allow Putin to continue his current approach or to intensify economic pressure on Russia.